Uganda ICT Journalism Awards

Uganda ICT Journalism Awards

1. Background

I-Network Uganda and the Institute for Communication and Development (IICD)
have organised the Uganda ICT Journalism Awards to reward insightful
reportage of information and communication technologies (ICTs), which shows
a clear grasp of ICT issues by writers and manages to succinctly link ICTs
to human development. The works should clearly address current
communication policy issues and place people at the centre of these
policies by showing how communication policies and actions are affecting
them. The entries could for instance be documentaries of innovative ICT
usage that is positively impacting on the lives of ordinary people; or
analyses of communication policy mechanisms and their impact on delivery of
services.

2. Eligibility
All journalists whether print, broadcast or online are eligible to enter
but entries must have been published in a Ugandan newspaper or a paper with
a reasonable and steady circulation and readership in Uganda. Entries must
have been published in the six months preceding the submission deadline.
Members of the panel of judges or staff of the sponsoring agencies are not
eligible to enter the contest.

2.1. How to enter

Print, photo, radio, TV and web journalists are all eligible. To submit a
piece of work for consideration, send a clipping/cutting, audio or video
tape, transcript, or web reference.
- Up to three entries per person may be entered
- Entries must be supported by a letter from the editor of the medium that
run the article. In addition, evidence must be provided of when the work
was published or broadcast. For example, a newspaper clipping, web
reference or broadcasting schedule (or details of broadcasting station,
time, date, name of programme).
- In the case of print media, only original cuttings will be accepted
- Types of print/web article that will be considered include news reports,
features, analysis, interviews, opinion/think pieces, and editorials.
Broadcast pieces can also include debates and phone-in programmes.
- There is no maximum or minimum length
- Submitted works should be stories or features relating to the question of
whether or how information and communication contribute to development. The
story can focus on any technology-assisted communication medium, but it
will extend beyond merely reporting an event to analysing its significance
in the light of the wider development issues and the concept of the
information society.
- Stories that take account of gender aspects are of particular interest.
- Video material should be submitted in PAL format. Audio material can be
submitted on cassette, or as MP3 files.
- Submissions can be in English or in local languages. Submissions in
languages other than English must be accompanied by a full transcript in
English.
All entries must be accompanied by an entry form available from the offices
of AITEC Uganda at Colline House or online at http://www.i-network.or.ug.

3. Timelines
There will be three draws every year, covering the periods January-April,
May- August, and September-December. Entries should be received by April
15, August 15 and December 15 for the respective draws. The winners will be
announced by May 10, September 10 and January 10. Deadlines noted may be
slightly modified to avoid weekends and public holidays. Unsuccessful
entries may be re-submitted for a subsequent contest if their date of
publication/ broadcast qualifies them to.

4. Prizes

For each draw, a single prize will be offered in each of the following
categories:
Print/Web
Broadcasting (TV/radio)
Photo
The winner in each category shall get a prize equivalent of US$200 that
will be offered in cash or in kind and that may vary from draw to draw.
In-kind prizes could include provision of ICTs tools or services, e.g.,
membership at an Internet Café, republication in a regional/international
medium, or participation at an ICT-related conference.

5. Submissions to the ICT Stories Competition

This initiative seeks for journalism that builds understanding of the
importance of information and communication for development; and that
stimulates awareness of the impact of national information and
communication policies on development. Different categories will be
considered for the submissions to each draw, e.g., ICT Policy Analysis;
Innovative use of ICTs; and ICTs for Rural Development.

Entries will be submitted by the noted deadlines to:
Uganda ICT Journalism Awards
I-Network Uganda
P.O. Box 26970
Kampala, Uganda
Tel: (041) 251632
Fax: (041) 343005
Email: [email protected]

This is also the contact information for inquiries about the Uganda ICT
Journalism Awards.

For information about I-Network, visit http://www.i-network.or.ug, and for
information about IICD visit http://www.iicd.org