CNN MULTICHOICE AFRICAN JOURNALIST AWARDS 2012 OPEN FOR ENTRIES

CNN International and MultiChoice have announced that entry is now open in the competition for the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2012 Awards. Entries will close January 26, 2012. Over the past 17 years, the competition has grown in size and status to become Africa’s most prestigious media event. In 2011, a ‘highlights programme’ of the awards was broadcast in 47 African countries, on the Africa Channel in the US, UK and the Caribbean, and RTP Africa.

The competition recognises excellence in arts and culture award, digital journalism award, the Coca-Cola Company Economics and Business Award, environment award, free press Africa award, the HIV/AIDS reporting , Mohamed Amin Photographic Award, MSD Health and Medical Award, print general news , radio general news award, sport ,  TV Features  ,TV news bulletin award, tourism award, Francophone general news awards , Portuguese Language general news award. From these category winners, the judges will choose The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2012.

The independent judging panel who will meet at the end of March 2012 includes: Ikechukwu Amaechi, editor, Daily Independent, Nigeria; Amadou Mahtar Ba, CEO, African Media Initiative; Jean-Paul Gérouard, deputy editor-in-chief, France 3 TV; Ferial Haffajee, editor in-chief, City Press, South Africa; Joel Kibazo, journalist and media consultant; Arlindo Lopes, general manager, Regulatory and Corporate, Angola and Mozambique, MultiChoice Africa Ltd; Zipporah Musau, managing editor, Magazines, The Standard Group Ltd, Kenya, and Kim Norgaard, CNN bureau chief, South Africa. CNN’s sports anchor Pedro Pinto will assist in the judging of the Portuguese General News Category.

Who can enter
You must be an African National, working on the continent for African owned, or headquartered, media organisations. Your work must have appeared in printed publications or electronic media that is primarily targeted at and received by an African audience.
What the judges are looking for

Their panel of independent, highly respected and experienced judges are in pursuit of excellence. They will be looking for entries which:

– Tell the story in a balanced, comprehensive and objective manner
– Demonstrate journalistic integrity and resourcefulness
– Communicate the story in a way that makes the topic accessible and relevant to their audience
– Display well organised research and insight
– Was broadcast or published, in English, French or Portuguese only, between January and December 2011 with proof supplied

Entries must be received at the collection points by JANUARY 26th 2012, no exceptions will be made. Entries received after this date may be disqualified.
The Prizes

The journalists selected by our panel of judges will enjoy an all expenses paid finalists’ programme of networking activities and workshops, culminating in the Gala Awards Ceremony. Each finalist will receive a cash prize, with each category winner also receiving a laptop computer and printer.

The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2012 Award winner will be selected from the category winners and will receive an additional cash prize and will have the opportunity to participate in the CNN Journalism Fellowship at CNN Headquarters in Atlanta.

How to enter
– You can only enter a maximum of 2 stories across all categories. Please carefully review your work of 2011 and enter your best story/stories in the most suitable category. You may enter a maximum of 2 stories, either both into a single category or 1 each into different categories. Please send your entry/entries in one envelope.
– Fill in all the details requested on the form (copies accepted), please print clearly and provide all requested information.
– Ensure you include a copy of your up-to-date Curriculum Vitae and any background information on your entry/entries, that you feel relevant.
– Send 2 copies of your work – Print journalists & cartoonists send the original article and a clean, legible photocopy of the entry; Online please send full URL details (No print outs will be accepted); TV & Radio – please send 2 disks/tapes (DVD/VHS or CD); Photojournalist – please send original photo(s) and CD containing your picture(s).
– Get your entry to the collection point nearest to you by January 26th 2012 latest. No extension will be made to this date.

More details at www.cnn.com/africanawards