CNN Multichoice Announces 2011 African Journalist Awards

*The closing date for entries is 27 January 2011.

Lagos — 2011 CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2011 Awards will recognise excellence in 16 categories. A statement from CNN International and MultiChoice, announcing the launch of the awards listed the categories to include Arts & Culture, Digital Journalism, Economics and Business, Environment, Free Press Africa and the HIV/AIDS Reporting Awards. Others are Mohamed Amin Photographic Award, MSD Health and Medical Award, Print General News Award and Radio General News Award.

The rest are Sport, Television Features, Television News Bulletin, Tourism, Francophone General News Awards and Portuguese Language General News Awards.

The winners of the annual awards will be announced at a gala ceremony to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in June 2011, where the judges will choose the overall winner of the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2011.

According to information made available by CNN International and MultiChoice, finalists in the 2011 competition will participate in a four day finalists' programme that will include a media forum and networking opportunities with senior journalists, editors, business leaders and media owners from across the continent, culminating in a gala awards ceremony in June 2011.

It added that all finalists would receive a cash prize and each category winner also receives a laptop and printer, while the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2011 will receive an additional cash prize and a trip to CNN Centre in Atlanta.

Tony Maddox, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of CNN International, said: "The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards have been encouraging excellence in journalism across the continent for 16 years and are truly a highlight in CNN's editorial calendar. I'm delighted that they continue to grow in stature and prestige, and it's a humbling experience each year to see and experience such dedication, passion and talent. 2011 promises to be another year of stellar African journalism."

Collins Khumalo, President MultiChoice Africa, added that "MultiChoice Africa is delighted to once again participate in Africa's largest and most coveted journalism awards.

Each year we are proud of the talent showcased at the awards and excited about the great progress made in African journalists telling the African story. We believe as an African company that our participation makes a significant contribution towards the development of media in Africa."

Sam Rogers, from e.tv South Africa, was awarded the top prize at the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2010 Awards ceremony. Sam, won for 'The Curse of the Nobody People', chosen from among 2074 entries from 44 nations across the African continent.

Sam said, "Winning the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year was possibly the highlight of my career. What an honour to be chosen a winner among so many brilliant African journalists, to be listed alongside the very best who have won this prestigious accolade over the years. What a wonderful platform the CNN MultiChoice award is. It has allowed us to broadcast to a wider audience, to highlight the plight of persecuted Tanzanian albinos and has begun changing perceptions in that region.

Their voices were finally heard. "Panel of judges for the awards include: Ikechukwu Amaechi, Editor, Daily Independent, Nigeria; Jean-Paul Gérouard, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, France 3 TV; Ferial Haffajee, Editor-in-Chief, City Press, South Africa; Joel Kibazo, journalist and media consultant; Arlindo Lopes, Secretary General, Southern African Broadcasting Association; José Luís Mendonça, Press Counsellor, Angolan Permanent Delegation to UNESCO; Zipporah Musau, Managing Editor, Magazines, The Standard Group Ltd, Kenya; Kim Norgaard, CNN Bureau Chief, South Africa.

According to the statement, the competition is open to African nationals who are professional journalists including freelancers across print, television, Internet, photographic and radio. Full details on how to enter are available on www.cnn.com/africanawards.

It said the closing date for entries is January 27, 2011, adding that there will not be any extensions of this closing date.

6.12.2010, by Chukwudi Nweje

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Source: allafrica.com/stories/201012070372.html (11.01.2011)