This year the competition received entries from 38 countries across the continent, including French and Portuguese speaking Africa. Photo/ CNN Awards
NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 9 – Nine Kenyan journalists have been shortlisted in the prestigious CNN MultiChoice African Journalist of The Year 2014 competition.
The competition which is in its 19th year, shortlisted 28 finalists from 10 countries across the continent. This year the competition received entries from 38 countries across the continent, including French and Portuguese speaking Africa.
Announcing the finalists, chairperson of the independent judging panel Ferial Haffajee said: “2013 was a huge news year, and the stories from our continent set a global agenda. The judges were pleased with the quality of entries, and were impressed by the depth of specialist beat reporting. In addition, they noted the growing sophistication of the use of images and pictures across all platforms.”
Among the Kenyan finalists include Bob Koigi from Farmbizafrica.com, Patrick Mayoyo from Daily Nation as well as Christine Muthee and Oliver Oscar Ochanda from Media Development in Africa.
Others include John Muchangi Njiru from the The Star Newspaper, Joseph Mathenge a Freelance Journalist for The Saturday Nation, Anne Mawathe and Rashid Ibrahim from Citizen TV.
The other is Evelyn Watta from Sportsnewsarena.com.
Here is the full list of the finalists:
Daniel Biaou Adje, ORTB, Benin
Safia Berkouk, El Watan, Algeria
Vinayak Bhardwaj & Tabelo Timse, M&G Centre for Investigative Journalism, Mail & Guardian, South Africa
Romão Brandão, Jornal OPAÍS, Angola
Sean Christie, Freelance for Landbouweekblad and The Mail & Guardian, South Africa
Obinna Emelike, Business Day, Nigeria
Ben Ezeamalu & Emmanuel Ogala, Premium Times, Nigeria
Bob Koigi, Farmbizafrica.com, Kenya
Joseph Mathenge, Freelance for The Saturday Nation, Kenya
Anne Mawathe & Rashid Ibrahim, Citizen TV, Kenya
Patrick Mayoyo, Daily Nation, Kenya
Christine Muthee & Oliver Oscar Ochanda, Media Development in Africa (MEDEVA), Kenya
Dickson Ng’hily, The Guardian, Tanzania
John Muchangi Njiru, The Star Newspaper, Kenya
Olatunji Ololade, The Nation Newspaper, Nigeria
Bayo Olupohunda, Columnist, Punch Newspaper, Nigeria
Ossène Ouattara, Infoduzanzan.com, Côte d’Ivoire
Brito Simango, Televisão de Moçambique, Moçambique
Joy Summers & Susan Comrie, Mnet Carte Blanche, South Africa
Suy Kahofi, Freelance for West Africa Democracy Radio, Senegal
Paballo Thekiso, Saturday Star, South Africa
Bento Venancio, Jornal Domingo, Moçambique
Evelyn Watta, Sportsnewsarena.com, Kenya
The finalists will enjoy all-expenses paid four day programme of workshops, media forums and networking in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania culminating in a Gala Award Ceremony on Saturday 18 October 2014.
On his part CNN International Executive Vice-President and Managing Director Tony Maddox said: “I have witnessed the quality and excellence of work in this competition strengthen year on year, and am proud that it continues to maintain its place as the most prestigious Pan African journalist awards. Just as CNN encourages, promotes and recognises excellence in journalism at all levels, we are particularly pleased to be able to support journalists who represent our future.”
Last year the competition received entries from 42 countries across the continent, 27 finalists shortlisted from 11 countries with Kenya having five journalists shortlisted.
Msindisi Fengu and Yandisa Monakali were awarded the top prize in 2013 CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards for their investigation series: School hostels of Shame, which appeared in South African daily print newspaper Daily Dispatch.
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