The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2016 will have the opportunity to participate in the CNN Journalism Fellowship at its headquarters in Atlanta.
This year a new category has been added, the Maggie Eales Young Journalist Award, in honour of the late Maggie Eales, the CNN executive and former journalist who, during her 20-year career at CNN, was the driving force behind the development and growth of the African Journalist Awards. This award reflects her enduring passion for nurturing young talent and will recognise the work of journalists starting out in their career, who demonstrate exceptional storytelling and the ability to identify a story and tell it with conviction. There are no restrictions on subject matter for this category but entrants must be born after 1 Jan 1990.
Tony Maddox, executive VP and md of CNN International, said, “Africa is an increasingly important part of the global story and CNN reflects that. We are committed to the African story, not just editorially, but also in terms of supporting its own journalistic enterprise through the Awards. I am proud of our long-term commitment to Africa and there is no better example of that than these Awards. We are particularly proud this year to honour the contribution Maggie Eales made in shaping the Awards into the continent’s finest celebration of its journalism. It is fitting that young journalists who symbolise the next generation for journalism in Africa now have an award to aspire to.”
Open to journalists working in any medium, this year the competition will recognise excellence in the following categories:
• Dow Technology & Innovation Reporting Award
• Ecobank Economics & Business Award
• Features Award
• Francophone General News Award – Electronic Media
• GE Energy & Infrastructure Award
• Mohamed Amin Photographic Award
• MSD Health & Medical Award
• News Impact Award
• Portuguese Language General News Awards
• Press Freedom Award
• Sport Reporting Award
• The African Development Bank Environment Award
From these category winners, an independent judging panel choose the overall winner.
Tim Jacobs, CEO MultiChoice Africa, said, “The longevity of these Awards is indicative of how these awards continue to play a meaningful role for the advancement of outstanding journalism across the continent. I’m confident that the 2016 instalment of the Awards will continue to unearth extraordinary African talent whose tireless work and search for the truth may otherwise not receive the recognition it deserves.”
Finalists in the 2016 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.
For more information, go to www.africa.cnnjournalistaward.com.
