New category for CNN African Journalist Awards

Winners of this prestigious annual award, sponsored by CNN International and Multichoice, will be announced at a gala ceremony to be held at the Cape Town International Conference Centre on 21 July 2007.

Over the past 11 years, the competition has grown in size and status. In 2006, it attracted a record-number of entries from 43 African countries and highlights of the ceremony, which was held in Maputo, Mozambique, were broadcast in 39 African countries, on the Africa Channel in the US, the OB Channel in the UK and RTP Africa.

This year, the competition will award prizes in 16 categories:

• South African Airways Tourism Award;
  
• Arts and Culture sponsored by Celtel;
  
• Economics & Business Award sponsored by Coca-Cola Africa;
  
• Environment Award;
  
• Free Press Africa Award
  
• MSD Health & Medical Award;
  
• The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Award for HIV/AIDS Journalism;
  
• MIH Print Media Award - Best Feature in a Magazine;
  
• Mohamed Amin Photographic Award sponsored by Camerapix;
  
• M.K.O. Abiola Print Journalist Award sponsored by Safebond Africa Ltd.;
  
• Radio General News Awards
  
• Sport Award sponsored by Global Media Alliance;
  
• Television - General News - Feature/Current Affairs Award sponsored by IPP Media Tanzania;
  
• Television - General News - News Bulletin Award sponsored by The Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town;
  
• Francophone General News Awards (Print and TV/Radio);
  
• Portuguese Language General News Award.

From these category winners, the judges choose the overall winner - The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2007.

Finalists in the 2007 competition will be flown to Cape Town, courtesy of South African Airways, to participate in a four-day finalists' programme including workshops and a media forum, culminating in a gala awards ceremony on Saturday 21 July.

Each category winner receives a substantial cash prize, plus laptop computer with modem and printer. The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2007 will receive an additional cash prize and a trip to CNN Center Atlanta, with flights courtesy of South African Airways.

Says Chris Cramer, MD of CNN International, "The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Award is one of the highlights of my calendar. To meet such a broad range of talented journalists with compelling stories to tell is a humbling experience and I'm delighted that we are able to contribute to encouraging excellence in journalism across the continent."

Nolo Letele, CEO MultiChoice South Africa, says, "The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist award is an ideal opportunity for the company to be involved in a project that encourages and supports excellence in African journalism. Such has been the success of the awards that it is seen as a benchmark of excellence in the media fraternity, and an eagerly anticipated event to showcase and celebrate the talent of the continent.

Adds Letele, "These are also exciting times for MultiChoice as the business is constantly engaged in innovative delivery of compelling digital media, and we are committed to pioneering new technologies that support the company's mission of Enriching Lives.
The competition is open to African professional journalists including freelancers across print, television, internet, photographic and radio. Full details on how to enter can be found at www.cnn.com/africanawards. The closing date for entries is 21 February and the judging will take place in May.

Judging of the entries will take place in May by a panel including Joel Kibazo, journalist and media consultant; Sophie K Ly Sow, journalist and promoter of free press in Africa, Senegal; CNN's Africa correspondent Jeff Koinange; Arlindo Lopes, secretary general, Southern African Broadcasting Association (SABA); Anna Umbima, journalist and broadcaster; and Azubuike Ishiekwene, executive director, publications, Punch Nigeria Limited.