Africa: New awards for media in Africa
Kenya-based Africa Free Media Foundation (AFMF) formerly Network for the Defence of Independent Media in Africa (NDIMA) and US-based World Free Press Institute (WFPI) have announced the establishment of three major awards for the media in Africa. Named AFMF/WFPI Trophy for Impartial Coverage, the awards will be presented to media outlets which exhibit impartiality in covering war, conflict, election and politically motivated trials. It is becoming increasingly evident that the role played by the media in covering such events is a contributing factor in resolving or fuelling conflicts. AFMF and WFPI hope that awarding the trophies will encourage the media to offer balanced news and opinions and thereby promote democracy and peaceful co-existence.
PRESS RELEASE
MEDIA AWARDS ANNOUNCED
Kenya-based Africa Free Media Foundation (AFMF) formerly Network for
the Defence of Independent Media in Africa (NDIMA) and US-based World
Free Press Institute (WFPI) have announced the establishment of three
major awards for the media in Africa.
Named AFMF/WFPI Trophy for Impartial Coverage, the awards will be
presented to media outlets which exhibit impartiality in covering war,
conflict, election and politically motivated trials. It is becoming
increasingly evident that the role played by the media in covering
such events is a contributing factor in resolving or fuelling
conflicts. AFMF and WFPI hope that awarding the trophies will
encourage the media to offer balanced news and opinions and thereby
promote democracy and peaceful co-existence.
There will be three trophies to be awarded; one for the print, another
for broadcast and one for electronic media which will include the
internet. Each trophy is valued at USD 1,000.
Announcing the awards Mr Sam Mbure, AFMF's Programmes Director and Mr
Clayton Haswell WFPI's Director said the role played by the media in
the emerging democracies cannot be underscored. "There is no denying
that pluralistic media have been part and parcel of the struggle for
democracy, development and human rights in these countries. This
effort needs to be enhanced." Mr Mbure said.
Nominations for the awards should be made by all through national and
regional freedom of expression organizations. AFMF and WFPI will
consider the nominations and make a final judgement. Winners will
retain the trophy for one calendar year then surrender it for
presentation to the new winners.
WFPI and AFMF have gained popularity in the past for conducting
tailor-made training courses for African journalists covering topics
such as Free and Fair Reporting, Ethics and Investigative Journalism.
Inaugural presentation will be made in February 2007. Deadline for
submission from media/freedom of expression organizations will be
September 30 2006. Nominations should be made to Africa Free Media
Foundation (AFMF), P. O. Box 70147 Nairobi 00400, Kenya. Tel/Fax +254
66 51118; e-mail; [email protected]