Call for Entries: AIJC African Investigative Journalist of the Year Award 2025

All African journalists are invited to submit entries for the 2024 WCJ/AIJC African Investigative Journalist of the Year Award.

The Award, supported by Absa, recognizes outstanding examples of investigative reporting from Africa that reveal untold stories, hold the powerful to account, question those in public life, and serve the public interest. The prize is $5,000. Major travel costs like flights, accommodation, and transport will be covered for the finalists.

In this post, we’ll further detail the programme available to eligible and interested candidates.

When is the Application Deadline:

27 September 2024, 14H00

Tell Me About The Award:

The AIJC African Investigative Journalist of the Year Award, supported by Absa, recognizes exceptional investigative reporting from Africa that uncovers untold stories, holds those in power accountable, and serves the public interest. The winner will receive US$5,000, with major travel costs (flights, accommodation, transport) covered for the finalists.

Which Fields are Eligible?

Investigative journalism in any medium (print, digital, broadcast) focused on Africa, published or broadcast between 1 June 2023 and 1 July 2024.

Type:

Investigative journalism award.

Who can Apply for the AIJC African Investigative Journalist of the Year Award?

All African journalists or teams of journalists who have published or broadcast stories from or about Africa in African media during the eligibility period.

How are Applicants Selected?

A panel of judges will evaluate entries based on originality, investigative work (creativity, persistence, courage), and the impact of the story, particularly its public service value.

Which Countries Are Eligible?

Journalists from any African country are eligible to apply.

Where will the Award be Taken?

The award ceremony will be held at the African Investigative Journalism Conference in Johannesburg.

How Many Awards?

One winner will be chosen.

What is the Benefit of the Award?

The winner will receive a prize of US$5,000, and finalists’ travel costs will be covered.

How Long Will the Award Last?

The award will culminate in the 2024 African Investigative Journalism Conference.

Read Also: Apply for the Alicia Patterson Fellowships for Journalists 2025 ($40,000 Grant)

How to Apply for the AIJC African Investigative Journalist of the Year Award:

Complete the entry form and email the material listed below to aijc.awards@journalism.co.za

Entries must include:

• An electronic copy of the entry material as published/broadcast. If the original is reduced in size, it must be accompanied by a readable Word/PDF version.
• A 100-word biography and high-res photo of each entrant.
• A high-res copy of the publication/broadcaster’s
• A short motivation for the entry (maximum 500 words), including any background the judges should be aware of, an indication of the impact of the story, and details of any significant challenge to the accuracy or fairness of the entry, such as published letters, corrections, retractions, formal complaints, or court cases. This motivation is critical, and judges should be informed of the finer detail that went into the investigation, for example, accessing hard-to-come-by documents or innovative problem-solving. The judges want to know the smart and hard work that went into the story, the risks taken, its originality, context, and impact.
• Broadcast entries must include a transcript and a short video clip of the story for publicity.

Do not include material from outside the competition time frame, though where relevant, these can be referred to in your motivation.

It would be helpful – but not essential – if entries in languages other than English could be provided with a translation.

No late entries will be accepted. Entrants will receive an acknowledgement of their entry within 72 hours.

If entering a work produced by a team please include the names of all team members and their responsibilities.

Visit the Award Webpage for Details: https://aijc.africa/aijc-african-investigative-journalist-of-the-year-award/
For further details or inquiries, contact AIJC@journalism.co.za.