Introduction
MISA Zambia is a membership driven organization that was established in 1996, as a national chapter of a regional non-governmental organisation (NGO). Membership of MISA Zambia is open to both institutions and individuals. MISA Zambia’s Vision is to have a society where there is freedom of expression and media freedom for all. It also works to promote media freedom and freedom of expression through research, capacity building and advocacy in the interest of strengthening democracy and good governance in Zambia.
In line with the foregoing objectives the National Governing Council (NGC) of MISA Zambia in 2019 made changes to the format and calendar for the media awards ceremony. These changes have come as a result of the first ever Media Awards Policy which MISA has ever produced and will; going forward, be a guide as to how such awards will be conducted.
As a result of this Media Awards Policy, the number of media awards were reduced to ONLY SIX (6), that is, those purely sponsored by MISA, while organizations are at liberty to sponsor any other awards as shall be prescribed; provided that such will meet the conditions stipulated in the new Media Awards Policy.
MISA Zambia further renamed some awards by additional terms such as Platinum Award, which is the Media Freedom Award, and the other category of Golden Awards. These changes, particularly the reduction in number of awards have been made to improve competitiveness, quality and value of the awards. It is a paradigm shift from an apparent quantity that has been characteristic of MISA Awards in the past.
More importantly too, the changes are meant to ensure that Journalists or prospective entrants undertake quality work and input to avoid rushed-in submissions merely driven by monetary motive. The changes to the calendar are also in line with some important United Nations Calendar Events in September such as the International Day of Democracy on 15th September, and the Access to Information (ATI) day on 28th September, both of which resonate well with the principles and objectives of MISA Zambia. Consequently, the calendar for media awards has also been moved from April, to a Friday between 15th and 28th September every year. Therefore, this year, the awards gala will be held on 23rd September 2022.
Entries for this year’s awards gala are therefore open effective 12th July, 2022 and shall close on Friday 2nd September, 2022
Award Explanation
1. Platinum Award
(Formerly Media Freedom Award) This is the highest award given by MISA Zambia and is awarded to individuals, institutions, journalists and media houses for their exceptional efforts towards promoting media freedom and freedom of expression in Zambia; including the right of access to information. It is not open for entries.
2. Golden TV Award :This award recognizes the most outstanding journalist in Television or the best television station
3. Golden Radio Award : This award recognizes the most outstanding journalist in Radio or the most outstanding radio station
4. Golden community media Award : This award recognizes the most outstanding journalist in community media or the most outstanding community media institution
5. Golden online media Award :This award recognizes the most outstanding journalist in online media or the best online media institution
6. Golden Print Media Award: This award recognizes the most outstanding journalist in print media or the best print media house
Please take note that the Platinum Award (the Media Freedom Award) does not require anyone to submit entries as MISA identifies and awards the deserving winner as has been the practice.
Sponsored Categories
Award Explanation
Best Reporting Child Rights Governance- SPONSORED By PANOS
This award recognizes the most outstanding journalists in Radio, Television and Print Media around Child Rights Governance. This to a large extent should include media reports on effective participation of children in governance processes for the realization of children’s rights to Health, Education and Protection in Zambia.
Best news coverage, Medicines Regulation – SPONSORED By ZAMRA
This award recognizes the most outstanding professional journalists in Radio, Television and Print Media for their excellence, dedication and creativity in educating and sensitizing members of the public through their consistency accurate reporting on the Authority’s mandate.
Best Reporting National and Natural Resources Management Award -SPONSORED By Diakonia Zambia
Diakonia believes in people’s ability to bring about positive change. Diakonia seeks to award most outstanding professional journalists in Radio, Television, Print and Online media that have contributed or influenced positive change in the lives of the ordinary people especially the underprivileged. With demonstrated innovation, courage, accuracy and consistency in bringing to the public news/issues that generated impact in the lives of the people in the following categories:
1. Natural resource governance – fair and balanced account of current state of affairs on mining especially in north-western province and further amplified the voices of mining-affected communities (positive or negative).
2. Governance transparency and accountability – Documented fair and balance or expose (investigative account) on the state of key governance issue (elections, public services delivery) and caused reactions or actions on the responsibility of those charged with authority to the benefit of country, district, community or specific right holder groups.
3. Gender Justice – reported oppression and exclusion of women and other marginalized groups including empowerment targeting women and youth. The actions influenced a fair society where women and other marginalized groups are enjoying their freedom and human rights without being discriminated against.
4. Online media – most influential in reporting governance and development issue(s) which brought together a powerful movement/public reaction in which everyone involved agreed to fight for a better alternative solution to the benefit of the masses.
Best Social Protection Reporting Award -SPONSORED By (PSPF)
This award recognizes the most outstanding journalists in Radio, Television and Print Media in Social Protection Reporting. Social Protection refers to protective policies and instruments which enhance the capacity of poor and vulnerable people to escape from poverty and enable them to better manage risks and shocks.
Best Intellectual Property Protection Reporting Award.- SPONSORED BY PARTNERS AGAINST PIRACY
This award recognizes the most outstanding journalist in Promoting Intellectual Property Protection in the Creative Industry. Note: Intellectual Property includes patented and copyrighted artistic work and content in Film, Broadcasting, Online and Music Industries.
Outstanding reporting on buy local campaign Award- Sponsored by Buy Zed Campaign
This award recognizes the most outstanding journalists with creative pieces on buy local campaign in Print and Electronic Media.
The pieces of work must be tailored in such a way that, it is provoking Zambians to choose locally produced goods over foreign goods. Furthermore, the award recognizes media report that highlights the benefits of buying locally produced goods are well articulated in the article.
Best Reporting Gender Award -SPONSORED BY NGOCC
This award recognizes the most outstanding Journalist in Radio, Television and Print Media
The award seeks recognizes Journalists that champion gender Equity and Equality in their reporting, promote the positive portrayal of women in the media, and are helping in sensitizing society to discourage cultural norms, traditions that promote child marriages.
The award further recognizes media reporting that promotes the retention of the girl child in the school system and advocacy for legal and policy reform in various sectors to encourage girl child education.
Awards Objectives
i. To promote media excellence among journalists in the country,
ii. To promote professional journalism,
iii. To promote Freedom of Expression and positive media policy development,
iv. To enhance creativity in the media,
v. To promote academic media excellence,
vi. To recognize individuals and institutions that have performed exceptionally well in their duty to inform, entertain and educate the public or have done something substantial to promote media freedom, access to information on socio-economic issues in Zambia including promotion of democracy and good governance
Who can enter for the Awards?
Journalists or media houses in the below categories:
i. Private/Commercial Radio
ii. Community Radio
iii. Television
iv. Print Media
v. Online Media
How to enter for the awards
Organizations or individuals may submit entries, by filling in the form prescribed by MISA Zambia. It is attached to this call for entries. Entrants may appoint a proxy to make a submission on their behalf provided that such an entry has been approved by the person who authored the work being submitted. The entrant authorizing a proxy shall show proof of such an instruction. The proxy shall be obliged to make a submission in the name of the person appointing them. Each person or institution may make a maximum of only three different entries across the awards.
Entry Requirements
The entries should cover the period 24th September 2021 to 2nd September 2022.
Submit a copy of the article/program from the categories above and should elaborate how this article/programme made a difference in Zambia.
What will the Judges Be Looking for?
i. Analytical reporting
ii. Use of facts in the reporting
iii. What type of effect the reporting had?
iv. Did it trigger discussion or debate?
v. Did it result in policy action or improvement in service?
vi. Should exhibit Independence, Impartiality, Coherence, simplicity, Clarity, and Plot,
vii. Should be Ethically sound article/programme,
viii. Coherence, simplicity, clarity, and plot.
Award Submission Rules
Judges will only consider the entry that is accompanied by the entry form and formats outlined below, so great care must be taken in the preparation of entries.
Entrants should show proof of publication of their submissions by including press cuttings (photocopy) recorded radio or video programme including confirmation from supervisor of the entry having been published.
Every entry (print, video and audio included) must have a 100-word opening statement describing why the entry should be deemed worthy of an award. This can be written on the form attached as Appendix I.
Entries should clearly be marked as to which category is being entered for and the name as well as organization / media platform it was published in/on. This should be accompanied by a brief profile of the individual or organization entering the award.
Audio and video submissions should be in a format widely and readily accessible format such as .mp3, .mp4 and .wma, among others.
For ease of submission and more details, prospective entrants can make use of our online portal https://zambia.misa.org/awards/online-submission
Supporting Materials
Press cuttings / Jpegs which must be A4 in size.
Slide Show Images: Please include videos and images that in some way represent your entry. This shall not be used for the judging process but may be used in a slide show presentation at the Awards ceremony to educate the audience on the entries put forward.
Entry Submission Deadline is 2nd September, 2021 by which date MISA must receive your entries by 16 00hours.
Any entry received beyond that date and time will not be considered. Deadline is strict and not negotiable!
Awards
Entries will be judged by an independent body of adjudicators from the industry and academia.
The adjudicators’ verdict in each category shall be final.
A custom designed MISA Zambia trophy/plaque will be presented to all winners accompanied by monetary compensation.
The MISA Zambia Platinum and Golden Media Awards will be presented and held on 23rd September 2022.
Please send entry or enquiries to:
Email: asssistantpo@misazambia.org.uk
info@misazambia.org.uk
assistantpoiro@misazambia.org.uk
Physical address
Plot 3814, Martin Mwamba Road, Olympia Park, Lusaka, Zambia (Adjacent to Monte-Carlo Casino-Opposite the Lusaka Show grounds)
Postal address: P.O. Box 32295, Lusaka, Zambia
For Further information, Call: Assistant Programme Officer – Margaret Kabuswe-0975879636 OR Maureen B Mulenga-097 9315959
Important note:
The judges’ decision shall be final. By accepting to enter for these Awards, the nominee has accepted the rules and conditions of the Award without any reservations.
