The Categories

Except where a specific media is referred to in the category name, all categories are open to print, radio, television, online and photographic journalists.

Arts & Culture Award

The Arts have the power to transform lives while culture is at the heart of today's Africa. Stories should celebrate African culture or The Arts, such as visual art, music, dance, acting, writing, sculpture and crafts

Digital Journalism Award

This Award recognises the work of journalists working in new media.  Entries may be news websites; blogs; individual articles and/or mobile content initiatives that demonstrate how the the journalist used the distinct nature of digital media to tell the story. Individual articles should have been created specifically for the online medium.

Economics and Business Award

Stories should demonstrate a contemporary, balanced and clear understanding of any aspect of economic and/or business issues on the continent.

Environment Award

Entries should relate to any issues including protection of the environment and innovative ways to combat environmental damage across the African continent

Free Press Africa Award

This award rewards excellence and provides support to African journalists who tell their stories at continuing risk to their lives and safety by covering conflicts, exposing corruption or crises in an atmosphere where information is controlled or often suppressed. The award has previously been presented to the late Deyda Hydara from Gambia; the imprisoned Eritrean journalist Seyoum Tsehaye; Musa Saidykhan whose stories caused him to be tortured and subsequently flee Gambia. In 2009 Nicaise Kibel'bel Oka received the Award on behalf of 3 murdered journalists in the Eastern DRC and in recognition of his own bravery having been imprisoned and beaten.

As this category is so specific to the cause of Free Press, it may not always be possible for a journalist to enter his/her own work, so nominations are encouraged from family members, the public, editors or colleagues - using the nomination section of this form.

The HIV/AIDS Reporting Award

This Award will recognise reporting on HIV/AIDS that illuminates the broad impact of the epidemic on individuals, communities and nations, and the resilience of the African response to the epidemic. This category is open to journalists from English, French and Portuguese speaking territories.

Mohamed Amin Photographic Award

Entries may be either an individual photograph or a photographic essay of not more than 5 photos. Both Black & White and Colour photos accepted.

MSD Health & Medical Award

Entries may relate to all general health and medical issues including, but not limited to, diseases and their treatments; healthcare development; training of medical personnel; the cost of healthcare; the role of traditional medicines and healers and the exodus of medical professionals from the continent.

Print General News Award

This award specifically recognises the work of the print journalist in bringing general news stories to the forefront of the news agenda. Entries may be a single article, covering topical news, or an in-depth feature/series of articles or investigative report.

Radio General News Award

Radio continues to play an integral part in satisfying listeners' appetite for news. Submissions should be general news stories, interviews or features

Sport Award

Entries should relate to any aspect of sports journalism including, but not limited to, reporting of sporting events; the business behind sport; features on personalities and sports as a tool for developing and building national unity.

Television Features Award

An extended news story, feature or documentary up to 60 minutes duration

Television News Bulletin Award

A general news bulletin story not more than 5 minutes duration

Tourism Award

A diverse category that covers the many and varied aspects of the travel and tourism industry in Africa and its contribution to a country's socio-economic development.

Francophone General News Awards

Please refer to separate entry form. Veuillez utiliser le formulaire d'inscription francophone pour cette catégorie.

Portuguese Language General News Award

Please refer to separate entry form. Por favor, utilize o formulário de entrada em Português para esta categoria