Finalists in the prestigious CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2012 Competition have been announced. The competition received entries from 42 countries across the continent, including French and Portuguese speaking Africa.
“The growing quality of the entries we pored over is a reflection of a growing continent claiming its place in the sun. We were impressed by the enhanced quality and competitiveness of the work before us; by the heart and soul poured onto pages and into pixels; by the adventurist spirit of the entries which came from more countries than ever before,” said Ferial Haffajee, who chaired the judging committee.
“In print, in radio, in television it is clear that African journalism is in a growth spurt, claiming its stake as world-class and globally competitive. A bit like our continent,” she said.
Haffajee’s sentiments were echoed by CNN’s executive vice president and managing director of CNN International, Tony Maddox, who said “the quality and excellence of the work submitted continues to rise year on year, ensuring that the 2012 competition maintains its place as the most prestigious Pan African Awards for journalists”.
South African finalists include Adriaan Basson and Piet Rampedi (formerly) of City Press; Demelza Bush, Craig McKune & Verashni Pillay, Mail & Guardian Online; Antoine de Ras, The Star; Megan Small and Clive Mtshali, 3rd Degree, e.tv; and Joy Summers from Carte Blanche.
CEO of MultiChoice Africa, Nico Meyer, said the awards “are an investment we truly believe in”. Meyer said journalists were one of the cornerstones of a nation.
“We need to continue to recognise them as they tell real stories that reflect the fabric of our diverse societies. The standard of entries continues to grow and the quality of submissions is testimony to the great levels of talent our continent holds. We are honoured once again to be a part of these awards which contribute immensely in shaping freedom of speech and a healthy and vibrant media,” he says.
There are 34 finalists from 12 countries:
- Tunde Akingbade, Freelance, The Guardian on Sunday, Nigeria
- Joshua Anny, Joy FM, Ghana
- Manar Attiya, Ahram Hebdo, Egypt
- Adriaan Basson & Piet Rampedi, City Press, South Africa
- Najlae Benmbarek, 2M TV, Maroc
- Demelza Bush, Craig McKune & Verashni Pillay, Mail & Guardian Online, South Africa
- Ramusel Graça,Televisão Santomense, São Tomé e Príncipe
- Arsénio Henriques, Soico – STV, Moçambique
- Edward Echwalu, Freelance for The Observer, Uganda
- Teresa Sofia Fortes, A Semana, Cabo Verde
- Isabel João, Novo Jornal, Angola
- Ahaoma Kanu, National Daily Newspaper, Nigeria
- Tom Mboya & Evanson Nyaga, Citizen TV, Kenya
- Andrew Mulenga, The Post Newspaper, Zambia
- Nimrod Taabu Mwagamoyo & Charles Kinyua Kariuki, NTV, Kenya
- Waihiga Mwaura & Jephitha Mwai Mwangi, Citizen TV, Kenya
- John Muchangi Njiru, The Star, Kenya
- Peter Nkanga, Elor Nkereuwem, Musikilu Mojeed & Idris Akinbajo, NEXT on Sunday, Nigeria
- Antoine de Ras, The Star, South Africa
- Megan Small & Clive Mtshali, 3rd Degree, e.tv, South Africa
- Stephen Ssenkaaba, New Vision, Uganda
- Joy Summers, Carte Blanche, South Africa
- Gerald Tenywa, Saturday Vision, Uganda
- Nelson Wesonga, Daily Monitor, Uganda
The winners of the competition will be announced at an award ceremony and gala evening in Lusaka, Zambia on Saturday 21 July, 2012.
The independent judging panel, chaired by Ferial Haffajee, editor-in-chief, City Press, South Africa includes: Ikechukwu Amaechi, editor, Daily Independent, Nigeria; Amadou Mahtar Ba, CEO, African Media Initiative; Jean-Paul Gérouard, editor-in-chief, France Télévisions; Joel Kibazo, journalist and media consultant; Arlindo Lopes, general manager, Regulatory and Corporate, Angola and Mozambique, MultiChoice Africa Ltd; Judge Arlindo Lopes, general manager, Regulatory and Corporate, Angola and Mozambique, MultiChoice Africa Ltd Judge Arlindo lopes, General Manager, Regulatory and Corporate, Angola and Mozambique, MultiChoice Africa Ltd; Zipporah Musau, former managing editor, Magazines, The Standard Group Ltd, Kenya; Kim Norgaard, CNN Bureau Chief, South Africa. Bruno Manteigas, UK Correspondent, Agência Lusa assisted in the judging of the Portuguese general news category.
This year, Nokia will sponsor the Digital Journalism Award, joining a list of sponsors who continue to lend their valuable support to the awards: African Development Bank (AfDB); The Coca-Cola Company; Ecobank; Ericsson; IPP Media, Tanzania; Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), UNICEF and A24 Media.
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Twitter: @africanjourno
