Africa Report nominated for prestigious award

The category Best Programme/Publication has a short list of two highly competitive and top quality media products, BBC News Online and Africa Report (CNBC). BBC News Online belongs to a well-established media service, recognised as a benchmark for quality in the provision of news and analysis, and presents a high standard of competition.

Africa Report, however, does have an advantage in that the programme focuses specifically on in-depth market information on the African continent, which it tailors towards the international investor. Although a relative newcomer on the international media market, Africa Report has been well received by viewers.

Africa Report presents several business stories each week to a targeted international audience, showcasing the competitive advantages of the different countries on financial and investment issues, trade, bi-lateral and multi-lateral accords. The programme also features interviews with top political and business leaders who currently drive economic development and relationships across the continent.

Africa Report's international team of journalists and editors are based in Cape Town, South Africa and travel throughout Africa to find real business stories from around the continent. Africa Report airs on CNBC Europe at 8.30 pm on a Saturday, repeated at 8.30 pm on Sunday and midnight on Tuesday, the Nigerian channels DITV Kaduna at 8pm and Superscreen Lagos at 10 pm, as well as Ghana TV3.

The Diageo Africa Business Reporting Awards are aimed at improving the quality and quantity of reporting on African business. There has been a lack of good quality reporting on business in Africa and it is hoped that the awards will encourage a better standard of media coverage for the continent. This will in turn enhance the decision-making process of international companies with an interest in Africa.

The awards are unique in that they are intended for the international, not the African, media. The Adjudication Panel has shortlisted seven excellent journalists and two first-class organisations. Nominees include Robert Guest, Africa editor of the Economist, Mark Ashurst, a contributor to the BBC and Time magazine, Shola Olowu from the BBC, and Carl Mortished, a London Times contributor.

The Adjudicating Panel is made up of distinguished individuals who are committed to African development and understand the importance of the role of the media in this regard. The Panel is chaired by Paul Walsh (CEO of Diageo plc) and includes Zeinab Badawi (broadcaster), Alan Friedman (Wall Street Journal, Europe), Dr K Y Amoako (Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur (African Business Roundtable) and Dr Peter Woicke (Executive Vice President of the International Finance Corporation).

The judges' decision will be announced at a special awards ceremony, to be held at Marlborough House in London on Friday.

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