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Published: 25 May 2021 602 views
Entries for the 2021 African Fact-Checking Awards, the longest-running awards programme that honours fact-checking journalism by the media in Africa, are now open. Journalists and journalism students across the continent can enter the awards, now in their eighth year.
We received a record number of 192 entries from 27 African countries in 2020 and expect this number to rise again this year.
“Through the awards, we want to promote the practice of fact-checking and making accurate information available to citizens of all countries across Africa, which is now more important than ever,” says Noko Makgato, executive director at Africa Check.
“This, we believe, will help the public make informed decisions about important issues related to their health, education, politics and more. Ultimately, we expect that this will strengthen democracy and improve the quality of life across the continent.”
This year’s categories include:
Fact-Check of the Year by a Working Journalist
Fact-Check of the Year by a Student Journalist
One runner-up in each of the two categories above
Africa Check is a non-profit organisation set up in 2012 to promote accuracy in public debate and the media in Africa. We work to raise the quality of information available to society across the continent. Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary general, said of us: “For democracies to function properly, for people to make informed decisions about their lives, the claims made in the public domain must be held up to scrutiny and their veracity checked openly and impartially. “I salute the work of Africa Check, as an important initiative engaging with journalists and citizens acros...&nb... continue reading
| Application Deadline | 01 Aug 2021 |
| Country to study | Kenya |
| Type | Contest |
| Sponsor | Africa Check |
| Gender | Men and Women |
The winner of the award for best fact-checking report by a working journalist will get a prize of $3,000, while the runner-up will be awarded $1,500. The winner of the award for best fact-checking report by a student journalist will get a prize of $2,000, and the runner-up $1,000.
To qualify, the entry must be an original piece of fact-checking journalism first published or broadcast on any date from 23 August 2020 to 31 July 2021, by a media- or independent fact-checking organisation based in Africa. The work may be published in print or online, broadcast on the radio or television or published in a blog.
Candidates can only enter for the awards in one category per year, but can submit more than one report if they choose.
Selection Criteria:
The entries will be judged on the following four criteria:
For more details, visit Africa Check website.