The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Nigeria Chapter has launched the call, inviting application for the fourth edition of its media award. This award aims at recognizing exemplary journalism that stimulates best practices in the adoption of agricultural technologies, particularly agricultural biotechnology.
The African wide award known as the Pan-African Agricultural Innovations in Agriculture and Development (PAID) was initiated to reward and promote credible agricultural biotechnology reportage. The award also seeks to recognize outstanding journalists in all media genres involved in the coverage of agricultural biotechnology stories in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Specific objectives of the award include the following:
- To appreciate the contribution of journalists in promoting sustainable agricultural technologies particularly agricultural biotechnology.
- To improve the quality of agricultural journalism and motivate journalists and media houses to capture impact stories and report on innovative agricultural biotechnology and other agricultural technologies.
- To promote innovative best-practices in agricultural biotechnology and other agricultural technologies that address challenges of food insecurity, climate change, and sustainable development.
ELIGIBILITY
- The award is open to ALL science journalists in Nigeria, in the broadcast (television, radio, and online) and print media.
- The entry should be a story published or aired between June 2019 and July 2020
- Only one entry is allowed per applicant
SUBMISSION
- The deadline for submission of entries is Monday, 31st August 2020.
- Entries for the Print category should consist of a scanned copy of the original story (in PDF format) without any alteration to the content of the story published.
- Applicants should ensure that their PDF documents are clear and sharp. Entries with blurred documents would not be considered.
- Online journalists’ entries should include a clearly written and hyperlinked URL address.
- Screenshots of websites where stories are published are not accepted.
- TV entries should be uploaded to YouTube (www.youtube.com) and radio pieces to SoundCloud (www.soundcloud.com).
- Applicants should provide the web links to their uploaded stories in the entry form.
- Each applicant is expected to provide a synopsis to the story submitted, 150-word biography, and a 200-word piece explaining the motivation for the story on a separate sheet.
- Any alteration to the original story nullifies the entry. All entries and accompanying documents should be submitted by email to ofabmediaawards@gmail.com
SCORING
An independent judging committee will select the winning entries based on;
- Scientific accuracy
- Initiative
- Originality
- Clarity of interpretation
- Value in fostering a better public understanding of agricultural biotechnology and its impact in the society
Winners of each category will also be invited and sponsored to participate in OFAB Africa Media Wards (OMAs) scheduled for later in the year. Award ceremony date and logistics will be communicated to all participants by email.
Click the link below to start this application.