Investigative journalism award opens for entries

Reputedly, South Africa's biggest journalism award, the award is named after Taco Kuiper, a successful publisher who shortly before his death in 2004 set up the Valley Trust to promote investigative journalism. It offers a first prize of R200 000 and a second prize of R100 000 to the most outstanding investigative journalism in South African print and broadcast media during the previous year.

Last year's winners were the reporting team from the Mail & Guardian for their continuing investigation into the arms deal. Second prize was shared by Carte Blanche for a film about corruption in the Hammanskraal police and City Press for its investigation into a hospital tender in Soweto.

All entries for the award have to be submitted either by an editor or through the Taco Kuiper nominating committee. Guidelines and application forms can be downloaded at www.journalism.co.za/tacokuiper.