Deadline: 25 March 2011
Contact: areza@africapractice.com
All journalists, writers, reporters and media houses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as entries into the DIAGEO Africa Business Reporting Awards 2011close this week. The closing date has been officially extended until Friday 25 March to allow as many people as possible to enter.
Diageo, one of the world's leading premium drinks businesses, has issued the final call for the eighth Diageo Africa Business Reporting Awards. These annual awards were launched in 2004, as a practical response to encourage more prolific reporting of economic opportunity in Africa and to celebrate excellence in business journalism.
2011 Awards
The Diageo Africa Business Reporting Awards 2011 are now open for entries. The entry form is available here.
Click here to download entry guidelines in French >>
General Guidelines
To qualify for the Diageo Africa Business Reporting Awards 2011 all submissions must have been published or broadcast in the period 18 April 2010 - 20 March 2011. Submissions in all media are welcome, including blogs, podcasts, online content, print, radio and TV entries. Entries must reach the secretariat by 25 March 2011.
To enter, select the category or categories you would like to be considered for and fill-in the online entries form for each individual entry. Please refer to the criteria and submission format requirements for each category. All entry material that cannot be attached to the entry form (video, audio) must be sent via post/courier to your nearest secretariat (details below).
Each award is given to an individual or team. Submissions can be made on behalf of an individual or team as long as permission has been provided by each team member confirming that they have read and understood the terms and conditions, which must be accepted in order to participate in these Awards. Entries can also be submitted on behalf of someone else, especially if the creator of the entry does not want to be identified by name, for political reasons or otherwise.
There is no limit to the number of submissions per individual/team except in the case of 'Best Newcomer', 'Media of the Year' and 'Journalist of the Year' in which the individual/media outlet can enter only once. However, individual pieces submitted as part of these entries can be entered in other categories.
There are no entry fees.
After filling-in the online form:
* Print/online features can be submitted as a live link or attachment
* Radio/TV features must be labeled clearly with your name and reference number and couriered to your nearest secretariat office (see details below)
Please contact areza@africapractice.com should you have any questions.
Secretariat contact details:
West Africa
Awards Secretary
africapractice R&B
13b Bishop Oluwole Street
Victoria Island
Lagos
Nigeria
+234 (0)14967558
Awards Secretary Africa Practice Ghana Ltd
7th Floor
GNAT Heights
30 Independance Avenue
Ridge, Accra
+233 (0) 307 010 970
East Africa
Awards Secretary
africapractice
D68 Norfolk Towers,
Kijabe Street,
Nairobi
Kenya
+254 (0)20 2396898
Awards Secretary
Africa Practice Tanzania Ltd
3rd Floor, 50 Mirambo House,
Mirambo Street, Dar Es Salaam
+255 22 212 700/2
South Africa
Awards Secretary
africapractice
RB House,
141 Greenway,
Greenside, 2193,
Johannesburg
South Africa
+ 27 (0)11 022 6561-5
UK
Awards Secretary
africapractice
24-25 Scala Street
London
W1T 2HP
UK
+44 (0)20 7209 7501
Overall Judging Criteria
Entries should demonstrate:
* Groundbreaking journalism that provides excellent insight, analysis and clarity of the business climate
* Content supported by investigative research that has 'gone the extra mile'
* A clear and balanced presentation of the issue/s involved
* Journalistic flair - a style that is engaging, though-provoking and accessible to its audience
Note: Individual print features should not exceed 5,000 words in length. Individual broadcast features should not exceed 1 hour in length.
Categories
1. Best ICT feature
A feature or series of related features delivered on any media platform (print, broadcast, online) that examines any aspect of the ICT sector in a thoughtful and engaging way. This might include, but is not limited to, telecommunications infrastructure, mobile, networking, security, cyber crime, e-learning, hardware, software, Internet.
2. Best Finance feature
A feature or series of related features delivered on any media platform (print, broadcast, online) that examines any aspect of the finance/banking sector in a thoughtful and engaging way. This might include, but is not limited to, investment opportunities, retail banking, credit cards, corporate finance, mobile money, payment systems.
3. Best Infrastructure feature
A feature or series of related features delivered on any media platform (print, broadcast, online) that examines any aspect of infrastructure (physical or otherwise) in a thoughtful and engaging way. Features addressing issues of energy and transport can enter this category. This might include, but is not limited to, infrastructure development projects, aviation, oil, roads, rail, and energy.
4. Best Agribusiness / Environment feature
A feature or series of related features delivered on any media platform (print, broadcast, online) that examines any aspect of agribusiness or environmental issues in a thoughtful and engaging way. This might include, but is not limited to, climate change, agriculture, food security, water management, farming, resource management.
5. Best Tourism feature
A feature or series of related features delivered on any media platform (print, broadcast, online) that examines any aspect of the tourism industry in a thoughtful and engaging way. This might include, but is not limited to, hotels, eco-tourism, travel, 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.
6. Best use of New Media in a story
A piece developed using new media (online digital photography, blogs, vodcasts, videos, podcasts or a mixture of these) that effectively supports a story about business or the economy in an African context. The topic is open, but use of new media must help deliver a fresh perspective that helps the audience engage with a story in a way not possible through traditional media alone. Entry must include a live URL.
7. Best Business News story
A news story or series of related stories delivered on any media platform (print, broadcast, online) that:
* Addresses a breaking news story from the time period of the awards
* Answers all basic questions in a clear and balanced fashion
* Demonstrates journalistic flair - a style that is engaging, though-provoking and accessible to its audience
8. Best Business Feature story
A feature or series of related features delivered on any media platform (print, broadcast, online) that:
* Examines business or the economy in an African context
* Provides useful background material for readers to understand relevance
* Gives bigger picture and importance to Africa, as well as specific issues it might be addressing
* Brings the business and economy to life, while answering the serious questions
9. Best Newcomer
A portfolio of three features (can be across different platforms) by a journalist who has been working as a reporter for less than five years. Proof of first date of accreditation will be required. Judges will be looking for overall quality of reporting, understanding of business issues and personal insights, as well as a commitment to sustained coverage of the business and economic climate in Africa, which serves to highlight opportunities as well as challenges
10. Media of the Year
A print publication, broadcast programme/channel, website or blog that is a comprehensive resource for its audience providing sustained coverage of Africa's business and economic news, issues and analysis (sector-specific or otherwise). Please submit a portfolio of five articles of no more than 5,000 words each, or five broadcast programmes, of no more than 3 hours in total. In addition to quality of reporting, balanced perspective, insight and analysis, judges will be looking for style and presentation, as well as outlets that are building a reputation amongst business and investor communities as a valued source of information about Africa.
11. Journalist of the Year
A portfolio of three features (on any one or a mixture of media platforms) of no more than 5,000 words or 1 hour each. Submitted pieces can cover different topics, industries or people, or be part of a series of reportage. Judges will be looking for features that demonstrate:
* Quality, style, presentation and a way of engaging the audience
* A commitment to sustained coverage of the business and economic climate in Africa which serves to highlight opportunities as well as challenges
* A reflection of journalistic integrity and ethics and a true commitment to reporting that does not sensationalise stories or individuals.
Crucial dates
Closing date for entries is 25 March 2011. Finalists will be announced on 2 May 2011. The Awards Ceremony will be held at the Landmark Hotel in Central London on 30 June 2011.