Application are now open for The Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling 2020 in collaboration with (ICFJ) The International Center for Journalists, honors and award emerging African Journalists.
Why Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling 2020 for African Journalists
The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), the ONE Campaign in collaboration with Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling awards up-and-coming journalist from African countries who strives to strengthen people’s voices and illuminate the transformational change taking place on the continent.
The Award was established in honor of Michael Elliott, an outstanding editor, philanthropist, and former ICFJ director, whose life was a testament to the power of storytelling to bear witness to and improve the human condition. We are seeking a wide variety of topics, not limited to health and social issues, to demonstrate the creative approaches to pressing issues in Africa.
Award Application Deadline
The application deadline is December 15, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Award Values
- The Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling will be given in Michael’s name and has a value of;
- The winner will receive a US$5,000 cash prize
- Special study tour organized by ICFJ,
- Spend time in U.S. newsrooms in Washington, D.C. and New York City to learn new skills and share knowledge.
- The winner also completes a two-week internship in London at The Economist’s headquarters in London, United Kingdom.
- To take full advantage of the tour and the internship, applicants must speak English, even if they work in another language.
Award Winners 2019, Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling
- Mercy Juma from Kenya; an award-winning story, “Teen Mums of Kwale” tells of primary school girls whose families make the controversial choice to let them use contraceptives even though the practice is taboo in the Muslim communities of Kenya’s Kwale County.
- Dorcas Wangira of Kenya; “The App and The Cut,” covered the harm caused by female genital mutilation and the hope offered by five high school girls who invented an app to connect vulnerable girls with resources and rescue centers and
- Abubakar Ibrahim from Nigeria; “All That Was Familiar” chronicles the struggle of two women, one from Cameroon and one from Nigeria, to find their loved ones who have been internally displaced by Boko Haram’s insurgency
Eligibility and Requirement
- The contest is open to English-speaking journalists working in Africa for print, broadcast and online news media.
- Applicants must have no more than 10 years of journalism experience.
- Applicants must submit one published piece that uses top-notch reporting to capture stories of modern Africa. The submission can be a feature story; an in-depth, investigative or explanatory piece; or a multimedia report or documentary.
- A copy of the published story or broadcast clip must be submitted in English. Works in other languages must include English translations.
- The submitted story must have been published between Dec. 1, 2018, and Dec. 1, 2019.
- A distinguished international jury selects the winner.
How to Apply for Award
Steps to Apply
Submit an application, as entries for the 2020 award is open. Apply Here
Need More Information
For more details visit the official Website Here.