New categories added as CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards 2014 begins

CNN International and MultiChoice this week officially launched the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2014 Awards. 

According to a press statement sent to SHOWBIZPLUSng, the competition for African nationals based on the continent welcomes entries from journalists creating content targeting an African audience.

Also this year, the competition has become even easier for journalists to enter, with submissions being made via the entry form website http://www.cnnmcaja.cnn.com.

Tony Maddox, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of CNN International, said: “Since the very beginning, these Awards have discovered and rewarded superlative African journalism across the continent.  With even more of Africa’s storytellers now able to share their work with us, we expect even more outstanding entries.  The categories this year also perfectly mirror the reality of today’s Africa’s multi-platform media scene. As Africa’s leading news provider, we’re delighted to play our part in supporting the excellent journalism these Awards yield annually.”

Nico Meyer, CEO MultiChoice Africa, said: “As we enter our 10^th year as partners to the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards, we continue to be amazed and honoured by the phenomenal impact that this initiative has had on the continent. It certainly has been a game changer for the advancement of media development and quality journalism, showcasing top-class journalists who can compete heads and shoulders with their peers on the world stage. This year promises to once again highlight Africa’s best journalistic talent.”

South Africans Msindisi Fengu and Yandisa Monakali, from South Africa were awarded the top prize at the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2013 Awards ceremony. Their work ‘Investigation series: School hostels of Shame’, which appeared in South African daily print newspaper Daily Dispatch investigated the appalling conditions being experienced by thousands of pupils in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, uncovering hygiene and safety risks in school hostels and lifting the lid on corruption within the education department. It was chosen from 1387 entries from 42 nations across the African continent.

Over the past 19 years, the competition has grown in size and status to become Africa’s most prestigious media event. In 2013, a ‘Highlights Programme’ of the ceremony, held in Cape Town, South Africa, was broadcast in 46 African countries, plus the UK, USA and the Caribbean.

Open to journalists working in any medium, this year the competition will recognise excellence in the following categories:

·         Culture Award

·         The Coca-Cola Company Economics & Business Award

·         *GE Energy & Infrastructure Award (*NEW*)

·         Environment Award

·         MSD Health & Medical Award

·         *News Impact Award (*NEW*)

·         Mohamed Amin Photographic Award

·         Press Freedom Award

·         Sport Reporting Award

·         Francophone General News Awards – Electronic media & Print

·         Portuguese Language General News Awards - Electronic media & Print

From these category winners, an independent judging panel choose the overall winner - The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2014.

Finalists in the 2014 competition will participate in a finalists’ programme that will include a media forum and networking opportunities with senior journalists, editors, business leaders and media owners from across the continent, culminating in a gala awards ceremony later in the year. The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2014 will have the opportunity to participate in the CNN Journalism Fellowship at CNN Headquarters in Atlanta.

www.cnn.com/africanawards

Notes to Editors

*About GE Energy & Infrastructure Award (*NEW*)

This new category celebrates the role that Energy & Infrastructure play in a nation’s development.   A wide-reaching topic, entries may include coverage of issues including infrastructure development projects; energy; fuel resources; roads; rail and natural resources.

*About News Impart Award (*NEW*)

Journalism has the ability to bring issues to the attention of its audience and effect change. This award recognises stories that, as a result of their coverage, have made a tangible impact in one or more of the following areas: reaction within their target audience; changes in behaviour; policy and increased public awareness.    Entries can include current affairs features; news coverage; in-depth and investigative stories.

African Journalist Awards Social Media:

 https://www.facebook.com/#!/CNNMultichoiceAfricanJournalistOfTheYearAwards

 @Africanjourno