A statement from Azubuike Ishiekwene, Chair of the independent judging panel said: “This year the competition received entries from 836 journalists from 38 countries throughout the continent, including French and Portuguese speaking Africa.”
The statement said the winners of the competition will be announced at an Award Ceremony and Gala Evening at The International Convention Centre, Durban, South Africa on Saturday 18th July. The hosts for the evening will be Isha Sesay, presenter of CNN weekly programme 'Inside Africa', joined on stage by South African eNews Channel presenter Macfarlane Molele.
Ishiekwene said: "2009 saw a steady, remarkable improvement in the overall quality of the entries. A number of journalists who entered the competition over the last few years took the opportunity to improve their skills, enter again and raise the bar on their previous entries. Many first time entrants also delivered inspiring work that raised the overall quality. The competition was particularly strong in the Health, Sport, Tourism, Environment, TV 60, Radio and Print General News categories. Across the continent - including countries like Rwanda, Ethiopia, Angola and Egypt - we saw entries from young journalists who are determined to make a difference. That is really gratifying."
Meanwhile, CNN and MultiChoice are proud to announce the inclusion of Web2.0. and live blogging to this years’ CNN MultiChoice Journalist of the Year Awards. This year will mark the first time that live blogging has taken place from the event, providing continual updates to registered users throughout the three-day programme.
Leading technology
According to a statement on Monday, Eben Greyling, President of MultiChoice Africa, said: “We continuously strive to deliver leading technology and content to Africa to stimulate growth and innovation. We see our move to include new media at this awards ceremony as an indication of that commitment to innovation while giving journalists in Africa another platform to generate discussion and debate within the ever-changing technological and media landscapes.”
Tony Maddox, MD CNN International said: "New technology has always been at the heart of CNN’s DNA. Through live blogging of these awards CNN and Multichoice again bring an innovative and welcome new dimension to the Awards." The site includes profile pages of each of the finalists, a hosted blog, Twitter feeds for individuals, as well as the ability to upload pictures via Flickr to the site. The site will go live from Wednesday 15th July 2009. The competition is now in its 14th year.
The 25 finalists from 12 countries follow:
• Ayodeji Adeyemi, TELL Magazine, Nigeria
• Biaou Daniel Valérien Adje, ORTB - Parakou, Benin
• Anas Aremeyaw Anas, The Crusading Guide, Ghana
• Rajen Bablee, Samedi Plus, Mauritius
• Ernesto Bartolomeu, TPA, Angola
• Nicola De Chaud, Backyard Productions for Carte Blanche, South Africa
• Ethar El-Katatney, Business Today Egypt
• Hazel Friedman, Special Assignment, SABC, South Africa
• Halden Krog, The Times, South Africa
• Anna-Maria Lombard, Health-e News Service for 3rd Degree e.tv, South Africa
• Paul McNally, Men's Health Magazine, South Africa
• James Moturi Mogaka, KTN, Kenya
• Fredrick Mugira, Freelance for Mail & Guardian online
www.mg.co.za, Uganda
• Sammy Muraya, Metro FM, Kenya
• Boniface Mwangi, Expression Today, Kenya
• John Benson Mwangi, KTN, Kenya
• John-Allan Namu, KTN, Kenya
• Elshadai Negash, Freelance for Fortune Newspaper, Ethiopia
• Luís Nhachote, Zambeze, Mozambique
• Tolu Ogunlesi, Contributing Editor for Glide Magazine, Nigeria
• Violet Otindo, K24 Television, Kenya
• Odette Schwegler, Backyard Productions for Carte Blanche, South Africa
• Viviane Tiendrébéogo, Radiodiffusion Télévision du Burkina Faso
• Beauregard Tromp, The Star, South Africa
• Alain Zongo, L'Observateur Paalga, Burkina Faso
• This year the recipient of the Free Press Africa Award is Nicaise Kibel'bel Oka, of Les Coulisses in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is awarded this prize, for his work in the DRC, and also in recognition of all the journalists in the DRC who have put their lives at risk in telling the story.
• There are three journalists in particular that we would like to mention who were murdered fulfilling their professional duties:
Pascal Kabungulu (killed 31st July 2005)
Serge Maheshe (killed 13th June, 2007)
Didace Namujimbo (killed 23rd November 2008)
Two AfricaNews reporters - Anas Aremeyaw Anas of Ghana and Fredrick Mugira of Uganda - are among 25 finalists from 12 countries in the 2009 CNN MultiChoice African Journalist competition.
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