African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME), non-profit professional organisation that is committed to excellence in journalism and mass communication in Africa released a shortlist of 74 stories for the third edition of the Uganda National Journalism Awards yesterday.
According to ACME, the 2016 awards attracted 148 journalists who submitted 237 entries for competition.
Among those listed were Solomon Lubambula and Anitah Muwanguzi who are New Anchors/Presenters at Christian radio station 104.1 Power FM.
A panel of 12 judges chaired by Dr George Lugalambi, a Media Capacity and Development Programme Officer at the National Governance Resource Institute adjudicated the entries.
He noted that the overall quality of entries is proof that the bar has been raised further in this cycle.
Among the practicing Christian journalism firms in Uganda, only one entry from Andrew Arinaitwe of Channel44 was short listed for the awards last year.
The reason is that they saw journalists as having a vital role in preserving liberty.
Dr Peter Mwesige, ACME’s executive director says that more journalists, particularly those from TV and radio, are growing in confidence to compete against their peers from print.
This year’s winners will be announced at a gala dinner on 20 April 2016 at Golf Course Hotel in Kampala.
Bible-believing journalists continually have a crucial role to play when it comes to Uganda’s moral development. The reason we have biblical principles graced and addressed in the press today is because the Founders embraced these guidelines and appreciated their vital role in preserving liberty in press.
Former Principal Judge and current chairman of the Elders’ Forum James Ogoola, will preside as chief guest.
The judging process
An independent, expert 12-member panel selects winning entries based on accuracy, initiative, originality, clarity of interpretation, storytelling ability, public benefit, audience engagement, innovation, and writing and creative flair.
All submissions must have been published or broadcast in a Ugandan media outlet or a regional outlet with a substantial Ugandan audience during the 2015 calendar year. Web-based news organizations that follow a strict code of journalistic ethics and publish original reporting on a regular basis may also submit entries.
The prize
Both the winner and first runner-up of each category receive a cash prize and a commemorative plaque and certificate. Their work is celebrated at a grand gala. Additionally, winning entries are published online and in a booklet distributed by the ACME.
Full text of the Uganda National Journalism Awards 2016 shortlist
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aaron@ugchristiannews.com. Courtesy Photo -ACME Journalism Awards 2015 highlights.
