The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Competition aims to reinforce the importance of the journalists’ role in Africa and to recognise and develop journalistic talent across all disciplines.

The Competition is open to African professional journalists and freelancers working on the continent for media organisations that are (i) African-owned and (ii) headquartered within the continent of Africa and (iii) distribute in Africa a printed publication and/or electronic medium broadcast which is primarily designed for, and received by, an African audience.

There are 16 prizes for different categories. Category winners will receive, a state-of-the-art laptop computer with modem and printer and a cash prize. From the 16 winners, the judges will award the grand prize to the journalist whose individual piece or body of work merits the title CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2006, whether they be a print, television, internet, radio or photographic entry.

Following are just a small selection of the categories:

• Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Award for HIV/AIDS Journalism - This award will recognise outstanding reporting on HIV/AIDS in Africa and specifically the broad impact of the epidemic across different sectors of society, on individuals, communities and nations, and the resilience of the African response to the epidemic.
• MSD Health & Medical Award - Entries may relate to all aspects of general health and medical issues including: diseases and their treatments; healthcare development, training of medical personnel, the exodus of medical professionals from the continent, the cost of healthcare and the role of African traditional medicines and healers.
• Arts and Culture - Stories may relate to any aspect of African Arts, (i.e.visual art, music, dance, acting, writing, sculpture, crafts etc) or culture.
• Environment - Entries may relate to any aspect of the environment and its protection in Africa.
• Economics and Business - Stories may relate to any aspect of economic and business development across the continent.
• Free Press Africa Award - This award recognises journalistic work that demonstrates courage and integrity and enhances the cause of media freedom.

Click here for more categories.

Click here for more information about the competition.

Entries can be sent to MultiChoice in London, to the collection point in Africa nearest you or any MultiChoice office. All entries must reach these collection points by March 7 2006.

Click here for the entry form.

Click here for a list of collection points.

Click here for previous winners.