The judging panel and categories for the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards have been announced. The announcement follows the news that the banking group had taken over sponsorship of Print Media South Africa’s newspaper award, previously known as the Mondi Shanduka Newspaper Awards.
The judging panel consists of respected journalists, with expertise in the categories of the competition. They are: Paula Fray (convenor), Tyrone August, David Wightman, Liesl Louw, Tumi Makgabo, Peter Sullivan, Mike Siluma, Henry Jeffreys, Thabo Leshilo, Gail Smith, Matthew Buckland and Joao Silva.
“The awards’ central tenet is the perfect balance needed in contemporary newspaper journalism: the balance between research, reporting, writing and presenting the news; the balance between traditional news and values and principles and new media platforms; and the balance between constitutional freedoms and professional responsibilities,” says Ingrid Louw, CEO of PMSA.
While the digital revolution has certainly changed the way newspapers operate, the need for a robust newspaper sector remains. It has been predicted by analysts that newspapers continue to form the news staple in many countries, and especially so in developing markets, where circulation and readership show consistent increase.
“In addition, the uncertainty over the freedom of the press means that there has never been more of an important time to have excellent journalists, doggedly and faultlessly working to ‘write the realities’. To make a strong case against those who distrust the press, newspapers have to foster the growth and development of good journalists. Moreover, business can rely on the freedom of the media as an excellent economic and investor indicator,” Louw says.
Each winner will receive R15 000 in cash, a trophy and certificate, and finalists will be honoured with a certificate.
The categories are:
1. Hard news
2. Analysis, commentary and background
3. Enterprise news
4. Feature writing
5. Investigative journalism
6. Creative journalism
7. Editorial cartoons
8. Graphic journalism
9. Popular journalism
10. News photographs
11. Feature photographs
12. Sports photographs
13. Presentation – (layout and design)
14. South african story of the year
15. Online reportage
16. Online multimedia
Other prizes are:
· Allan Kirkland Soga Achievement Award
This honours a sustained (20 years minimum) and extraordinary contribution to newspaper journalism on the part of an individual. The winner will have demonstrated impeccable ethics and craft excellence.
· The Frewin Award, which has been in existence 63 years, recognises urban daily newspapers with a circulation above 50 000 that excel in the criteria laid down by the industry.
· The McCall Award, which has been in existence for 51 years, recognises urban daily newspapers with a circulation of 50 000 or less that excel in the criteria laid down by the industry.
· The Mervis Award has been in existence for the past 17 years and recognises urban weekly newspapers irrespective of their circulation that excel in the criteria laid down by the industry.
The Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards, to take place in August, is defined by the theme ‘Perfect Balance’.
Thoraya Pandy, group communications director at Standard Bank, said: “Standard Bank is delighted to be associated with these awards, which acknowledge the critical role that the media play in ensuring South Africa remains a viable and sustainable democracy. Joseph Pulitzer put it most aptly when he described journalism as a ‘noble profession and one of unequaled importance for its influence upon the minds and morals of the people’.”
For more: www.printmedia.org.za
Closing date for entries is Friday, 29 June 2012.
Judging will take place on the 5th and 6th of July 2012
POST, COURIER OR HAND-DELIVERED TO:
The Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards
Attention: Malesedi Dlamini,
2nd Floor, 7 St Davids Park, St Davids Place, Parktown, 2193.
Telephone (011) 551 9600 or e-mail malesedid@printmedia.org.za.
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