KENYANS TOM MBOYA AND EVANSON NYAGA NAMED CNN MULTICHOICE AFRICAN JOURNALISTS 2012.
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Jul 23, 2012
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Multichoice Africa CEO Nico Meyer, Tom Mboya Citizen TV-Kenya, Zambian Foreign Affairs Minister Given Lubinda, Evanson Nyaga Citizen TV, Kenya &Parisa Khosravi, Snr VP, CNN Worldwide International.
Tom Mboya and Evanson Nyaga, fromKenya, have been awarded the top prize at this year’s CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2012 Awards Ceremony.
Tom and Evanson, won for their work ‘African Tribe inIndia’, which aired on Citizen TV,Kenyaand was chosen from among 1799 entries from 42 nations across the African continent.
The work tells the story of an African tribe inIndia, long forgotten and little known about, based in Karnataka,Southern India.
Tom and Evanson were among the 34 finalists at the Awards ceremony on Saturday evening and were winners in the category ‘Television Features Award (TV60).’
The Awards, which rotate location each year in tribute to their pan-African credentials, were held at a Gala ceremony hosted by CNN and MultiChoice at Auditorium Hall, Government Complex Convention Centre,Lusaka,Zambiathis evening, Saturday 21 July, and broadcast live on ZNBC.
Nico Meyer, CEO MultiChoice Africa, Parisa Khosravi, Senior Vice President for CNN Worldwide in charge of International Newsgathering, and Hon. Given Lubinda MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs, presented Tom and Evanson with the Award.
Tom Mboya said: “Journalism is a profession that allows you to go in, and then bring out what the world needs to know. It is humbling that the Father Lord has brought us this.”
Evanson said: “I am truly humbled by this.”
Member of the judging panel, journalist and media consultant Joel Kibazo said: “This story introduced the viewer to something new, an African tribe inIndiafew know about. The journalist took the viewer with him toIndia, and the village to speak to the tribe members. An all round detailed story that was well told.”
Parisa Khosravi, Senior Vice President for CNN Worldwide in charge of International Newsgathering, said “The men and women who enter these awards have become part of a community of excellence, representing the very best in journalism and maintaining the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Their resourcefulness and bravery in pursuing the story has my deepest admiration.”
Collins Khumalo, CEO MultiChoice South Africa said: “We salute the finalists and the winners of the 2012 awards. These journalists give a voice toAfricaand help to make that voice heard around the world. We encourage journalists from around the African continent to continue to tell the stories ofAfrica– who knows, your story might be celebrated at the 2013 awards.”
Nico Meyer, CEO MultiChoice Africa, said: “Each year we are amazed at the growing number of entries we receive for the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Award and we continue to marvel at the growing quality of entries – a great indication of the talent and skills pool in the continent. All tonight’s winners should be very proud of their achievements and we wish them well as they advance to a higher level of global influence. The selfless nature of the trade often displayed in the work done by our journalistic community is once again to be commended and honoured. As MultiChoice we are committed to the empowerment of Africa’s communities, and telling stories of their lives to raise awareness of their plight is commendable. We salute all journalists and tonight’s winners for their contribution to the development of open and democratic societies, creating future hope for generations to come.”
The evening also recognised Enenche Akogwu and Zakariya Isa as this year’s recipients of the Free Press Africa Award, for their work inNigeria. Zakariya, a cameraman for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), was killed in October 2011, and Enenche, a news reporter with Channels Television, was shot and killed, having covered theKanobomb blast in January this year.
The CNN MultiChoice competition is now in its 17th year. The prestigious sponsors include: A24 Media; African Development Bank (AfDB); The Coca-Cola Company; Ecobank; Ericsson; Intercontinental Hotel, Lusaka; IPP Media, Tanzania; MSD; Nokia; SuperSport; and UNICEF.
The Awards’ 34 finalists from 12 countries enjoyed an all expenses paid five day programme of workshops, media forums, networking and had the opportunity to see some of the sights of Zambia.
