By Saio Marrah
The Serra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has in its news release dated 17th July 2023, announced entries for an award for best- practicing journalists and media outlets for the year 2023.
The press release indicated that recognition of outstanding and professional journalists is a move that symbolises self-regulatory and serves as motivation towards increasing professionalism in journalism in Sierra Leone.
The award is also said to honour journalists and media institutions that have contributed to national development and the media landscape in the country.
“The SLAJ Annual National Media Awards 2023 will be presented at the Black-Tie Dinner event at the SLAJ Annual General Meeting 2023 in Kenema city,” the press release continued.
According to the press release, there are seventeen (17) categories up for grabs that include the Sam Metzger award for best political reporter, Justice Babatunde Edwards’s award for best court reporter, and best health reporter of 2023.
Speaking to Politico, the Secretary General of SLAJ, Alhaji Manika Kamara, said the award ceremony began in 2014 and continued in 2015 under the leadership of Kelvin Lewis.
He also noted that before then, the Independent Media Commission (IMC), a body set up by the government to regulate the practice of journalism in the country, had been organizing the award.
Kamara also noted that the award is geared towards motivating journalists to do more in attaining media professionalism,pointing out that with the presence of competition, it will urge journalists to aspire to do more.
He said the awardees would be given a trophy/certificate along with a cash prize.
Commenting on what they will take into consideration when assessing reports, Kamara pointed out that the committee that would be established as a panel of judges will set up their own criteria on how they will assess.
Responding to the question as to whether a panel of judges would be secretly monitoring stories written or aired by journalists for the purpose of the award, Kamara said it is something they would be considering in the future, but for now, candidates would have to apply with their stories.
He said it also includes the awarding of best newspaper, best radio station, and best television per region. Kamara noted this category would be determined by the media outlet that abides by the IMC code of conduct regulations.
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