The 2016 Energy Journalism Excellence Awards (EJEA) were launched today. The annual awards, launched in 2014 and now in the second edition, are aimed at encouraging and sustaining positive and objective coverage of energy issues.
Organised by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and line utilities, the initiative has, however, been criticised by media observers as a way of enticing journalists to write positively and less critical of the sector. “When I see a negative story on the energy sector or its players winning an award, then they will be objective,” said a PR practitioner based in Nairobi.
KenGen is taking the leading role in organising the second edition of the awards, after which other energy utilities will take over on a rotational basis.
Speaking during the launch, Energy Principal Secretary Eng Joseph Njoroge urged the media to objectively report on energy to enhance citizens participation in economic development. “As stakeholders in the energy sector, we need to facilitate and incentivise the media so that they can narrate developments that impact the economy,” said Mr Njoroge.
KenGen MD and CEO Eng. Albert Mugo said the awards offer the sector a platform to recognise, celebrate and encourage continuous quality energy and petroleum journalism. “As industry players, we are happy to take the lead in building capacity of journalists so that they are able to understand issues within the sector and offer factual media coverage for the development of the economy,” said Mr Mugo.
The awards will include journalism academies which will be used to equip reporters with knowledge on various issues and developments within the energy sector. Following the launch of the Call for Entries, journalists can submit articles on the energy and/or petroleum sector published in the print media or broadcast on electronic media between July 1st, 2015 and June 30th, 2016.
The Awards are open to Kenyan-based professionals, those directly employed or freelancers.
Categories
- Energy Journalist of the Year
- Energy Policies and Regulations
- Energy Efficiency and Green Initiatives
- Oil and Gas Upstream Story of the Year
- Oil and Gas Downstream story of the year
- Geothermal Power Generation Story of the Year
- Power Infrastructure Story of the Year
- Power Distribution Story of the Year
- Nuclear Story of the Year
- Energy Finance Story of the Year
- Community Relations story of the Year
- Photojournalist of the Year
Energy parastatals involved in the process are the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), Kenya Power, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board (KNEB), National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOCK), Geothermal Development Corporation (GDC), Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited (KPRL), Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) and the Rural Electrification Authority (REA).
Winners will receive trophies and cash prizes. The overall winner will enjoy an all expenses paid finalists’ programme of networking activities and workshops, culminating in the Gala Awards Ceremony.
For more information, visit www.kengen.co.ke/ejea
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