Call for Entries – Open Spaces Zambia World Radio Day Media Awards
To commemorate World Radio Day 2024, Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) as part of the USAID Open Spaces Zambia Consortium will be holding special media awards to award five media practitioners for excellence in journalism and media, shaping public discourse and fostering positive societal change. The World Radio Day Awards aim to not only recognize journalistic excellence but also contribute to the elevation of media visibility as one of the key pillars of democracy. The awards will strive to reinforce the pivotal role of media in shaping narratives, promoting transparency, and fostering access to information for a brighter and more informed future.
To that effect, Panos is calling for submissions for the USAID Open Spaces Zambia World Radio Day Media Awards, as follows:
What: Media Awards
When: February 13th, 2024. (World Radio Day)
Where: Copperbelt (Venue to be communicated in due course once secured but in good time ahead of the awards ceremony)
Target: Male and Female journalists, exclusive to Zambia only.
Categories
- Best Investigative Journalism Report.
- Best Report on Corruption.
- Best Report on Transparency and Accountability in Public Resource Management.
- Best Report on Digital Rights.
- Best Report on Access to Information.
Descriptions for categories
1. Best Investigative Journalism Report
Uncover acts and shed light on a subject of public and national interest. Recognizing outstanding investigative journalism that exposes, explores, and brings to public attention significant issues, fostering a deeper understanding of transparency, accountability, and positive change.
2. Best Report on Corruption
Acknowledging exemplary reporting that delves into corruption issues, this category honors journalistic efforts to interrogate and expose corrupt practices, as well as influence pre-emptive and remedial actions. Entries should demonstrate a commitment to promoting integrity and accountability in public and private sectors.
3. Best Report on Transparency and Accountability in Public Resource Management
This category applauds in-depth reporting that scrutinizes and promotes prudent management of public resources. Entries should showcase a dedication to transparency, uncovering any mismanagement, and fostering awareness and implementation of practices that enhance accountability public resources management.
4. Best Report on Digital Rights
Recognizing the intersectionality of technology and human rights, this category celebrates insightful reporting on the impact of artificial intelligence on society. Entries should demonstrate a commitment to raising awareness about ethical considerations, potential biases, and human rights implications in the realm of AI.
5. Best Report on Access to Information
Highlighting the importance of information access, this category honors reports that advocate for and showcase efforts to enhance access to information. Entries should 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.
Participant Eligibility: Both Male and Female journalists.
Number of awards: One award per category
Media Report Eligibility: Media reports (both electronic and print) published between January 1st 2023 and January 20th 2024 are eligible for submission and selection.
Organizer: Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf), a non-profit, non-governmental and evidence-based media advocacy and communication for development organization that uses innovative communication methodologies to amplify voices of the poor and marginalized to advance social change and foster social accountability. PSAf advances social change and social accountability by promoting informed and inclusive participation of marginalized people in governance and development processes by creating opportunities and platforms for informed and inclusive dialogue.
Background to the Awards: PSAf is currently implementing Open Spaces Zambia (OSZ), a project aimed at strengthening the democratic foundations of freedom of speech and assembly; build independent and new media; and safeguard a space for activists, human rights defenders (HRDs), and oppositional voices to protect shrinking democratic space in Zambia.
Objectives: OSZ will support 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.
- 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.
Mode of submission: Submission of entries (one each) can be delivered electronically to openspaces@panos.org.zm or physically to No. 19 Commander Street, Off Alick Nkhata Rd, Mass Media Area, Lusaka. Submissions should clearly indicate the category in which the story should be considered.
Deadline for submissions: Friday, February 2nd, 2024, 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.
