United Nations Environment Program is seeking entries from journalists in Africa for the 2011 UNEP Young Environmental Journalist Award aimed at honoring the original, accurate and inspiring reporting related to environment. The award is open to print, broadcast and online journalists who have reported on environmental issues in 2011.
Reports should demonstrate relevance to local and / or regional communities in Africa
Eligibility
- Entries are limited to African journalists, between 21 and 35 years old, who are based in Africa and working for local, regional or international media organizations. Freelance journalists are also welcome to apply
- Print, online, radio and television journalists from any African country may apply
- Reports submitted to the competition must have been published or broadcast during the 2011 calendar year (1 January – 31 December 2011)
- Entrants will submit one story only. This can be a news or features story from a newspaper, magazine or news website, a television report or radio report on an environmental theme
- Written articles should not exceed 3000 words
- Radio or television reports should be no longer than 6 minutes
- Posts from personal blogs will not be accepted
- Public relations material or articles of a promotional nature will not be accepted
- The YEJA administrators and jury are the final authorities for determining whether an entry is eligible
Selection Criteria
- Strength of the environmental component of the report, especially in the context of economic and social development
- Newsworthiness
- Quality of writing, editing and language
- Originality
- Objectivity
- Scientific accuracy
- Impact of the report and its benefit to public understanding
- Extent of research undertaken
- Relevance to local and/or regional communities in Africa
Presentation Ceremony and the Award
The winner will be presented with his/her prize during the 12th Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF) to be held in February 2012.
The winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the USA, where he or she will follow a unique, “green” itinerary. The winner will travel across the country, interacting with environmental projects, leading environmental journalists, scientists and public figures.
Last date for submission of entries is December 16, 2011.
For more information, visit this link.
