SABC News introduces Community Media Awards

The aim is to encourage community media to go beyond the call of duty and produce news and current affairs that meets the highest standard.

Bheki Khumalo, chairperson of the news committee, comments, “We are very dedicated to nurturing talent in the journalism industry. We believe that through the Community Media Awards a high calibre of authentic South African news leaders will be unearthed.”
While SABC News is a primary conduit of news on a national level, there are many dedicated community journalists who are not recognised or celebrated for their significant contribution.

There are nine different entry categories:

• Best Presenter
  
• Best Producer
  
• Best Community Radio Station
  
• Best Station Manager
  
• Excellence in Journalism
  
• Excellence in Broadcasting in Indigenous Languages
  
• Excellence in Developmental Journalism
  
• Excellence in in-depth News Coverage and Current Affairs and
  
• Excellence in Investigative Journalism.

The winners of each category will receive R10 000 and a trophy; the best community radio station will win R15 000, a certificate and a trophy and the overall winner will win R20 000, a certificate and a trophy.

SABC News and its partners aim to enhance the status of the Community Media Awards in status and stature, so that they are recognised in the same vein as the SA Music Awards (SAMAs) and the Loeries.