The Editors’ Forum of Namibia (EFN), after proudly partnering with First National Bank (FNB) Namibia as the platinum sponsor, is gearing up for this year’s journalism awards ceremony, set to take place on October 19, at the picturesque Droombos.
This grand event, inspired by the legacy of the Pulitzer Prize, promises to captivate the minds of over 200 guests, including 70 distinguished invitees.
We are delighted to announce that we have extended a special invitation to His Excellency President Hage Geingob to grace the awards ceremony as our esteemed Guest of Honour. His presence will underscore his pivotal role as a guardian of press freedom in Namibia. In 2017 at the launch of the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Namibian Print, Broadcast and Online Media, President Geingob committed to uphold press freedom and freedom of expression during his tenure.
In 2018, after more than a decade-long hiatus, the EFN resurrected the Namibian Journalism Awards with a mission to ignite professional excellence across the realms of print, electronic, and new media.
Four years later, the media industry finds itself navigating unprecedented challenges in the post-COVID era. Globally, and more so in Africa, media houses are under immense pressure, battling dwindling resources while striving to uphold their vital role as custodians of truthtelling and good journalism – all key elements to democracy.
Today, journalists, the unsung heroes at the forefront of this crusade for credible information, often grapple with burnout, mental health issues and the uncertainty of job guarantees as they tirelessly deliver critical news to the public.
In these trying times, the significance of a free and robust press cannot be overstated. It forms the bedrock of a flourishing democracy, holding the powerful accountable and empowering citizens with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.
The EFN Journalism Awards event stands as a beacon of recognition for outstanding journalistic endeavours throughout 2021 and 2022, while also serving as a rallying call for emerging journalists to aspire to greater heights.
The awards will be presented across seven prestigious categories:
• Politics and Public Governance
• Agriculture, Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries
• Education, Health, and Social Development
• Mining and Energy
• Business Finance and Economic Development
• Sport
• Best Visual Storytelling
Each winner will receive a coveted cash prize of N$15,000 and a certificate.
The “2023 Journalist of the Year Award” will be conferred by the adjudicators after they have assessed all the 169 entries from 59 journalists. This will be accompanied by a generous cash reward of N$25,000 and a certificate.
Guest Speakers:
Our keynote speaker for the evening is none other than the renowned South African investigative journalist, author and recipient of the Windhoek Scroll, Jacques Pauw. He will shed light on his latest literary masterpiece, Our Poisoned Land, a sequel to the bestseller,
The President’s Keepers.
While The President’s Keepers sent shockwaves throughout South Africa and brought to light former President Jacob Zuma’s darkest secrets, in Our Poisoned Land, Pauw once again delves deep, exposing high-ranking police officers involved in state capture, who still maintain positions within the Hawks and police crime intelligence units.
As an extra treat, the EFN is excited to present a virtual interview with the world-renowned Israeli author and historian, Yuval Noah Harari. He will delve into the profound impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the future of humanity, and its implications to journalism. Harari, known for his bestselling works such as Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (2014), Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow (2016), and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century (2018), promises to offer invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of information.
Apart from FNB Namibia, the EFN is extremely thankful to the following sponsors: Ohlthaver & List (Silver sponsor), Old Mutual, Cecil Nurse, Hollard Namibia, Feedmaster and One Pencil Project, who are sponsoring some of the categories.
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