CNN International and MultiChoice has officially launched the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2013 Awards.
“Recent audience research shows that viewing of CNN across Africa is at an all time high. Against this background, we are delighted to be a part of the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards, now in their eighteenth year,” said Tony Maddox, executive vice president and managing director of CNN International. “The awards represent the very best in journalism from across the African continent, and are truly a highlight in CNN’s editorial calendar. I’m proud that they continue to grow in stature and prestige, and the 2013 competition promises to deliver another year of stellar African journalism.”
CEO of MultiChoice, Collins Khumalo, said the company was proud of its association with the awards. “We are particularly proud to play a role in amplifying the voice of journalists across the South African continent, to ensure that the stories of Africa and its people are heard across the world. We look forward to hearing the stories as told by the entrants into the 2013 competition.”
Over the past 18 years, the competition has grown in size and status to become Africa’s most prestigious media event. In 2012, a ‘Highlights Programme’ of the ceremony, held in Lusaka, Zambia, was broadcast in 47 African countries, on the Africa Channel in the US, UK and the Caribbean and RTP Africa.
This year, the competition will recognise excellence in the following categories:
· Culture Award
· Digital Platform Award
· The Coca-Cola Company Economics & Business Award
· Environment Award
· Free Press Africa Award
· Mohamed Amin Photographic Award
· MSD Health & Medical Award
· Print General News Award
· Radio General News Award
· Sport Award
· Television Features Award
· Television News Bulletin Award
· Francophone General News Awards
· Portuguese Language General News Awards
From these category winners, an independent judging panel choose the overall winner – The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2013.
Finalists in the 2013 competition will participate in a 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 later in the year. All finalists receive a cash prize and each category winner also receives a laptop and printer. The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2013 will receive an additional cash prize and will have the opportunity to participate in the CNN Journalism Fellowship at CNN Headquarters in Atlanta.
