Call for Entries from Journalists – Open Spaces Zambia World Radio Day Media Awards 2025
To commemorate World Radio Day, Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf), as part of the USAID Open Spaces Zambia Consortium, will be holding media awards on February 13, 2025, which is World Radio Day, to recognize and celebrate Zambian journalists for their outstanding work and contribution to the development of the media sector. The awards aim to honor journalists who excel in their reports on various subjects, and in shaping public discourse, and fostering positive societal change. By recognizing excellence in journalism, we hope to promote quality in media content, elevate the media’s achievements and contribution to inclusive development and democracy, particularly in shaping narratives around transparent and accountable governance.
To this effect, Panos is calling for submissions for the USAID Open Spaces Zambia World Radio Day Media Awards as detailed below:
When: February 13, 2025. (World Radio Day)
Where: Kabwe
Target: Journalists in Zambia.
Categories
- Best Media Report on Access to Information.
- Best Media Report on Gender Equality.
- Best Media Report on Digital Rights
- Best Media Report on Corruption.
- Best Media Report on Climate Change and Social Justice.
Descriptions for categories
- Best Media Report on Access to Information
This category honors reports that highlight the importance of information access, and advocate for and promote access to information. Entries should also illustrate the potential impact of the story in promoting an informed citizenry and empowering citizens to foster transparency and accountability in the management of public affairs.
- Best Media Report on Gender Equality
This category recognizes media reports that draw attention to gender equality issues and advocate for a more equitable society. It celebrates reporting that sheds light on gender-based discrimination, promotes women’s empowerment, and fosters a more inclusive society, among other aspects of gender equality.
- Best Media Report on Digital Rights
Recognizing the intersectionality of technology and human rights, this category honors exceptional reporting that investigates and brings to light critical digital rights issues, encompassing internet freedom, data privacy, and online censorship, and so on. Entries should demonstrate a commitment to raising awareness about ethical considerations, potential biases, and human rights implications in the realm of AI.
- Best Media Report on Corruption
The category seeks to recognize the vital role of investigative journalism in exposing corruption and fostering accountability in society. It celebrates reporting that demonstrates investigative rigor, desire to promote ethical conduct, and impact in uncovering corrupt practices and advocating for systemic change to strengthen responses to corruption.
- Best Media Report on Climate Change and Social Justice
This category honors media reporting that explores the intersection of climate change and social justice. It seeks to recognize reports that highlight the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, advocate for inclusive action in the development, implementation and enforcement of climate change laws and policies.
Organizer: Panos Institute Southern Africa is a non-profit, non-governmental and evidence-based communication for development organization that uses innovative communication approaches to amplify the voices of the poor and marginalized to advance social change and foster social accountability. Panos supports informed and inclusive participation of marginalized people in governance and development processes by creating opportunities and platforms for informed and inclusive public dialogue.
Background to the Awards: With support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and in partnership with FHI360 and Internews, Panos is currently implementing the USAID Open Spaces Zambia (OSZ) project aimed at strengthening the democratic foundations of freedom of speech and assembly; building independent and new media; and safeguarding a space for activists, human rights defenders (HRDs), and oppositional voices to protect democratic space in Zambia.
OSZ supports the production of quality, relevant content, strengthen the enabling environment for independent media, and advance social and online platforms that allow for free expression and access to information.
Specifically, the project seeks to achieve the following:
Objective 1: Strengthen and Promote a Viable, Independent Media, which is anticipated to result in increased viability of targeted outlets; more balanced and in-depth coverage of locally relevant content; and greater integration of online/social content into traditional broadcast media.
Objective 2: Promotion of Digitally Literate and Cybersecure Users and Inclusive, Online Spaces of Engagement leading to improved digital literacy and adoption of cyber-safety practices among users and increased use of online platforms for engagement.
Objective 3: A Strengthened Enabling Environment for Independent and New Media, resulting in increased capacity of media and CSOs to respond to legal and regulatory challenges and strategic advocacy efforts that support independent media and Internet freedom.
Media Report Eligibility and Criteria:
- Media reports (both electronic and print) published between January 1, 2024 and January 31, 2025 are eligible for submission and selection.
- A copy of the article/program being entered for the award should be accompanied by a cover note indicating name, sex, institution (if applicable), age, disability (if applicable), phone number, category, and email address of the entrant. The note should also bear a brief explanation of how the article/program had a positive influence on the subject matter.
- Entrants should present proof of publication of their submissions in form of press cuttings (photocopy/PDF copy), recorded radio or video program.
- Publication of an entry should be confirmed by the entrant’s supervisor.
- Entries should clearly indicate the category being entered for, and the media platform in or on which the story was published.
- Entrants should provide a brief profile of themselves to be used before being presented with the award.
- Audio and video submissions should be in a format widely and readily accessible such as mp3, mp4 and wma, among others.
Mode of Submission:
Submission of entries (one each per category) can be delivered electronically to openspaces@panos.org.zm or physically to The Executive Director, Panos Institute Southern Africa ,19 Commander Street, Off Alick Nkhata Road Mass Media Area, Lusaka.
Deadline for submissions: Monday, February 3, 2025 by 17:00 hours.
Important note: PSAf is an equal opportunity organization that is committed to diversity and inclusion as well as fraud-free processes. To this effect the selection process will be impartial and on merit, conducted by a team of professionals with diverse backgrounds. The decision of the selection team will be final.