The 2012 CNN Multichoice Africa Journalist of the Year Award finalists have just been announced, pitting together a total of 34 journalists from 12 countries across the continent for over 16 categories which will be awarded at a gala ceremony in Lusaka, Zambia on the 21st of July 2012.
Africa’s most prestigious journalism awards received a record number of entries from a total of 42 countries, including French and Portuguese speaking countries. “The growing quality of the entries we pored over is a reflection of a growing continent claiming its place in the sun,” said Ferial Haffajee, Chair of the Independent Judging Panel.
“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. 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.”
As part of the run up to the awards ceremony, an all expenses paid five day programme of workshops, media forums and networking has been set up for each of the finalists.
Seven Kenyans have been shortlisted for the awards this year and include Tom Mboya & Evanson Nyaga (Citizen TV), Nimrod Taabu Mwagamoyo & Charles Kinyua Kariuki (NTV Kenya) Waihiga Mwaura & Jephitha Mwai Mwangi (Citizen TV Kenya) and finally John Muchangi Njiru (The Star).
Nokia has come on board as one of the sponsors of the 17th edition of the awards, joining IPP Media of Tanzania, the Coca Cola Company, the African Development Bank, Ecobank, Ericsson, UNICEF, A24 Media and Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD). “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.” added Nico Meyer, Multichoice Africa CEO.
The hosts for the evening will be CNN International’s Isha Sesay and Franklin Tembo Jnr of ZNBC. The considered entries were published or broadcast in the year 2011 for the following 16 award categories: Arts & Culture Award, Digital Journalism Award, The Coca-Cola Company Economics and Business Award, Environment Award, Free Press Africa Award, HIV/AIDS Reporting Award, MSD Health & Medical Award, Mohamed Amin Photographic Award, Print General News Radio General News Sport Award, Television Features Award, Television News Bulletin Tourism Award, Francophone General News Awards (Print and Electronic Media), Portuguese Language General News.
The complete list of finalists for the 17th CNN Multichoice Africa Journalist of the Year Awards are:
NIGERIA
Tunde Akingbade, Freelance, The Guardian on Sunday
Ahaoma Kanu, National Daily Newspaper
Peter Nkanga,
Elor Nkereuwem,
Musikilu Mojeed & Idris Akinbajo,
NEXT on Sunday
GHANA
Joshua Anny, Joy FM EGYPT Manar Attiya, Ahram Hebdo
SOUTH AFRICA
Adriaan Basson & Piet Rampedi, CityPress Demelza Bush, Craig McKune & Verashni Pillay, Mail & Guardian Online Joy Summers, Carte Blanche Antoine de Ras, The Star Megan Small & Clive Mtshali, 3rd Degree, e.tv.
MOROCCO
Najlae Benmbarek, 2M TV
SAO TOME & PRINCIPE
Ramusel Graça,Televisão Santomense
MOZAMBIQUE Arsénio Henriques, Soico – STV
UGANDA
Edward Echwalu, Freelance for The Observer Gerald Tenywa, SaturdayVision Nelson Wesonga, DailyMonitor Stephen Ssenkaaba, NewVision.
CAPE VERDE
Teresa Sofia Fortes, A Semana
ANGOLA
Isabel João, Novo Jornal
KENYA
Tom Mboya & Evanson Nyaga, Citizen TV
Nimrod Taabu Mwagamoyo & Charles Kinyua Kariuki, NTV
Waihiga Mwaura & Jephitha Mwai Mwangi, Citizen TV
John Muchangi Njiru, The Star
ZAMBIA
Andrew Mulenga, The PostNewspaper
