Entries open for CNN/MultiChoice African Journalist Awards

The winners of this prestigious annual award, now in its 11th year of honouring African journalism, will be recognised at a gala ceremony to be held at the Polana Serena Hotel, Mozambique on 15 July 2006. Entries close on 7 March 2006 and entry forms can be downloaded from: www.cnn.com/africa/africanawards.

Chris Cramer, MD CNN International, said in a press statement: "We are delighted that the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist awards continue to move around the continent. This shows the commitment by CNN and our partners, MultiChoice, to developing journalism in Africa and growing this truly pan-African competition."

Judging will take place in London from 27 April to 1 May 2006. The panel of judges for the 2006 awards are: Dr Doyinsola Abiola, MD Concord Press of Nigeria; Joel Kibazo, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat; CNN's Africa Correspondent, Jeff Koinange; Arlindo Lopes, former Chairman and CEO of TVM (Mozambique television); and Anna Umbima, radio and television broadcaster and journalist.

Now for the good news...

The judges are looking for all kinds of stories, according to judge and speaker at the CNN/MultiChoice breakfast to launch this year's competition, CNN Africa Correspondent, Jeff Koinange. "There are so many stories on the ground that need to be told. We are seeing a lot more human interest stories coming through, more health related stories, in particular HIV/Aids stories - but these are not just stats or doom and gloom, but wonderful stories on communities raising awareness and people doing something about it. Yes, we get a lot of entries out there, but there is still so much more talent out there that we want to see and recognize.

"There is no doubt that Aids is the biggest story in Africa - and there are still places where people are not aware of the pandemic and still put their illness down to malaria and pneumonia.

Koinange said it was important for journalists on the continent to enter their stories to raise the profile of media in Africa and tell a "different story for Africa". There are also positive and good news stories, business related, agricultural success stories... People are doing amazing things here!"

The categories

The competition comprises 15 categories. This year there is a new award: the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Award for HIV/Aids Journalism. This will recognise outstanding reporting on HIV/Aids in Africa and specifically the broad impact of the epidemic across different sectors of society, on individual, communities and nations, and the resilience of the African response to the epidemic.

The competition is held in association with South African Airways. Other sponsors include the African Development Bank, Camerapix, Celtel, Global Media Alliance, Johnnic Communications (Johncom), IPP Media, Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) and Safebond Company Africa Ltd.

The overall CNN MultiChoice African Journalist prize comprises a three week professional programme at CNN Centre, Atlanta, with complimentary flights courtesy of SAA and a cash prize; along with the prize awarded to all category winners, which consists of participation in a four-day finalists' programme, a laptop computer, modem and printer and an additional cash prize.

Commented Nolo Letele, CEO MultiChoice: "After many years of the event being held in South Africa, and then in Kenya last year, we are excited about being in Mozambique with its vibrant and energetic media market. The growth of the African Journalist Awards parallels the growth in the SA market where the DStv ser vice was launched in 1995. The last 11 years have seen explosive growth, and MultiChoice has played a key role in uniting Africans by providing information, quality entertainment and pioneering satellite technology for television viewers in Africa."