2013 Journalism Award Competition set up by ARJ

The ARJ and IPP had set up an  award for  best performing journalists in  terms of quality and professionalism in order to foster professionalism. The issue has been discussed on by journalists so to clarify the usefulness of this award and what procedures will be used to select the journalists.

The invited journalists were Gonzague Muganwa, Louise Uwizeyimana, Gakwaya and Didas Niyonsaba.

Key issues discussed upon involved how the competition is planned to take place and its feasibility.

According to Muganwa Gonzagua, the Executive secretary of the ARJ said that this award aims at recognizing the achievements of journalists throughout the year.

During the selection  main focus will put on the quality of the story, the image in the story, the talk show(on radio or on TV), the professional conduct of the journalist during his/her news coverage and reporting.

Journalists presented their concerns on the ways selection will be do as no specific category news writers will be competing for the award.

What we aim at is to choose one or three persons in all 6 categories set for the award depending on their professional achievement and ethical behavior throughout this year. said Mr Muganwa

Gakwaya, one winners of the last year, said that this award increases one’s motivation to keep working hard and professionally. Niyonsaba backed him adding that such awards show to all journalists that their efforts are not fruitless.

Regarding the fact that during selection of winners can be emotion based, Muganwa underlined the fact that the event has been communicated to all media bot public and private through  different means.

This will provide them with possibility to follow the process said Muganwa , adding that there is a selected team of independent judges to select the winners.

Some of the phone calls and Facebook messages were highlighting the fact that selected categories could have been selected in order to compete instead of selecting all media to compete without any specific categorization.

Generally the audience supported the initiative of the ARJ with its stakeholders  to foster professional journalism through such kind of competition.

This award has been previously provided by the RGB but currently journalists are the ones to provide it.

The award is worthy 30 million Rwandan francs for best achievers in seven categories that follow:

-Award for best news coverage,

-Award for best investigative news reporter or writer,

-Award for the best show throughout the year,

-Award for best images made story,

– Award for best feature story,

-Award for the best performing journalist throughout the year

-Award for the best and most experienced journalist throughout the year.

The show that took place at Isango Star radio station was simultaneously on other more radio stations including Inkoramurtima, Isangano, Ishingiro , Izuba and Radio Voice of Africa.

The aim of such weekly show is to promote debates on issues of first importance on national and international levels.It is prepared by the Association Rwandaise des Journalistes  and Institut Panos Paris.

UM– USEKE.RW