Entries for the MISA John Manyarara Investigative Journalism Awards
Call for Entries for the MISA John Manyarara Investigative Journalism Awards

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) is inviting entries for the MISA John Manyarara Investigative Journalism Awards 2009. The awards seek to recognize excellence in investigative journalism in any form of media in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Two awards will be given:

  • The MISA John Manyarara Investigative Journalist of the Year Award whose winner will receive a cash prize of 4000 Euros.
  • The MISA John Manyarara Upcoming Investigative Journalist of the Year Award whose winner will walk away with 2000 Euros in cash and a scholarship to the value of 6000 Euros to further develop the recipient’s investigative journalism skills.

The awards are given for an article or series of articles that demonstrate investigative journalism skills and presentation of facts.

Judges will be looking for work which:
  • Demonstrates investigative journalistic skill and methodologies like source building, data searching as well as depth and insight.
  • Is newsworthy, with the news value clearly derived from investigative methodologies as above
  • Concerns an issue of interest to the public in all its diversity
  • Interrogates society from all angles
  • Required perseverance or bravery to realize
  • Is the product of the reporter’s own initiative and effort
  • Uncovers facts that someone or some agency may have tried to keep from public scrutiny
  • Tells the story in a clear and balanced manner
  • Was broadcast or published between 1 January and 31 December 2008
MISA and the judges of the John Manyarara Investigative Journalism Awards do not maintain a narrow focus on investigative journalism to mean ‘corruption stories’ but include those stories that investigate Africa in all its diversity.

Another 11 journalists who enter the completion stand a chance to win a fully sponsored trip to participate in a 3 day training on investigative journalism convened by the Investigative Journalism Workshop (IJW) at the University of the Witwatersrand in partnership with the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism (IAJ), the London Centre of Investigative Reporting (CIJ), Investigative Reporters and Editors in the US (IRE) and the Forum for African Investigative Reporters (FAIR). The event will offer training workshops and panels by and for investigative reporters from Africa and further afield.

Entries must be sent by courier to Ebben-esser Hatuikulipi, 21 Johann Albrecht Street, Windhoek West, Namibia or by airmail to her on Private Bag 13386, Windhoek, Namibia, or by fax: +264 61 248016, or by e-mail: John Manyarara entries. Alternatively it may be delivered to the MISA office in your country.

Entries should be sent in their original published format or by email (with URL), including details of when and where it was published or broadcast. If you do not receive an acknowledgement of receipt for your entry please make a follow up.

Visit http://www.misa.org/awards/index.html for more information.

Judging will be conducted by a panel of independent judges with knowledge and experience of journalistic practice in Africa. Panel members cannot vote on work entered by their organization, employees or family members. Should the quality of entries fall below the required standards, the judges reserve the right not to select any winners. The judges’ decision is final and binding. Submitted material will not be returned.

Entries should reach MISA by 1 September 2009. Back


These awards are brought to you with support from the Forum for African Investigative Reporters (FAIR).


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