Four journalists of Cape Media’s TV47 and Radio47 are among journalists shortlisted for the 2024 Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA) following their outstanding work in the media industry.
AJEA is a product of the Media Council of Kenya that recognises and celebrates excellence and professionalism in the media industry.
Ali Hassan of Radio47 was recognized for his story ‘Hamkani za mashabiki’ under the category of sports reporting.
Elizabeth Ochieng of TV47 was recognised for her story ‘a sweetless survival’ under the category of health and medical reporting.
Violet Namatsi, a TV47 correspondent in Kakamega County was recognised for her story, ‘The plight of intersex persons in Kenya’ under the category of gender reporting.
In addition, a former Cape Media employee Sharon Barang’a was recognised for a story she did while working for TV47. The story had a title, ‘Baragoi bundle of scars’ that has been listed under the governance reporting category.
Meanwhile, the journalism awards usually mark the peak of celebrations to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day celebrated globally on May 3rd.
The awards are usually open to all journalists who submit stories in the different categories.
For the story to be considered for the competition, it must have been published or broadcast over the last one calendar year.
The stories submitted are then subjected to a jury of at least seven judges who review the entries and award stories which demonstrate excellence, creativity, and journalistic merit in their presentation.
In most cases, Judges usually consider innovative stories and investigative journalism that goes beyond the obvious journalistic reporting.
The awards event also provides an opportunity for partners to interact with media stakeholders and industry players.
The Media Council started AJEA awards 2012, with this year’s event marking 12 years of its existence.
Over the past 12 years, AJEA has been used for identifying areas of capacity, need for journalists and media practitioners to maintain standards as well as motivate young journalists to seek excellence in their work.