CNN Multichoice African Journalist Awards 2009

CNN spotlights Africa’s journalist stars at the Multichoice African Journalist Awards 2009 coming in July.

Tony Maddox, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of CNN International, said: “The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards, now in its fourteenth year, truly represents the very best in journalism from across the African continent. It is an annual privilege to pay tribute to such a wide range of talented individuals, all of whom have unique and compelling stories to tell, and to join in the celebration of their abilities.”

Nolo Letele, CEO MultiChoice South Africa, said: “A thriving, independent and authentic media continues to play a major role in building democracies on the African continent. We are therefore delighted to once again partner with CNN, in recognising and celebrating media excellence with the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year 2009 Awards.”

Eben Greyling, President of MultiChoice Africa, said: “We are very proud to once again partner with CNN to recognise and encourage excellence in journalism in Africa. These awards recognise and celebrate the hard work, the talent, the sacrifice and the dedication that the finest African journalists deliver. As a company committed to the growth of media on the continent we strongly believe in supporting the development of African journalists.”

Over the past fourteen years, the competition has grown in size and status to become Africa’s most prestigious media event. In 2008, it attracted a record-number of entries from 44 African countries and a ‘Highlights Programme’ of the ceremony, held in Accra, Ghana, was broadcast in 41 African countries, on the Africa Channel in the US, OBE TV in the UK and RTP Africa.

This year, the competition will recognize excellence in the following categories:

    * Tourism Award
    * Arts and Culture Award
    * Economics & Business Award
    * Environment Award sponsored by Ecobank
    * Free Press Africa Award
    * MSD Health & Medical Award
    * HIV/AIDS Reporting in Africa
    * Mohamed Amin Photographic Award sponsored by A24 Media
    * Print General News Award sponsored by Safebond Africa Ltd.
    * Radio General News Award
    * Sport Award sponsored by Global Media Alliance
    * Television – Features Award sponsored by IPP Media Tanzania
    * Television – News Bulletin Award
    * Francophone General News Awards (Print and TV/Radio)
    * Portuguese Language General News Award

From these category winners, the judges choose the overall winner – The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2009.

Finalists in the 2009 competition will participate in a four day 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 in July, 2009. Each category winner receives a cash prize, plus laptop and printer. The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2009 will receive an additional cash prize and a trip to CNN Center in Atlanta.