Ghana to host maiden African Media and Democracy Awards, 2012
Ghana is to host the maiden Africa Media & Democracy Awards, (The Amdmc Award 2012). The event will coincide with the bi-annual Africa Media and Democracy Conference which will take place from 15th to 18th August 2012 in Accra, Ghana.
The objectives of the AMDMC Awards are to encourage high professional standard in media practices as it interfaces democratic governance in Africa, to honour and acknowledge individuals and organisations that have played significant roles in diverse ways in nurturing and supporting the continent's ongoing efforts for democratic and accountable governance, the rule of law, freedom, peace and social justice.
Director of the Africa Media & Democracy Institute, Barima Adu-Asamoa, stated that, the upsurge of democratic governance, rule of law and freedom of speech and association in Africa over the last few decades has been mainly due to the assistance of the media.
He says, "Access to and dissemination of information has played a significant role in emerging and renewal of democracies in Africa. Significantly these developments have come about through the efforts and commitment not only of individuals, but also of organisations and groups."
He added that the contribution of the media to the continent's development agenda must be upheld and encouraged. "At the same time we acknowledge the challenges ahead as Africa searches for a meaningful development paradigm one which is consistent with universal democratic values enshrined in rule of law, social and economic justice for all and we hope this Awards make meaningful contributions.”
The Awards is made up of two main categories; the media and the democracy categories, with about five main awards in each category and include The National Print Media Award which will be given to the best national newspaper for its promotion of democracy & high professional standard. It will be awarded on national bases within the four (4) regional groupings, West, East, South and North Africa regions.
The Regional Print Media Award will be given to the best newspaper that promotes democracy & high professional standard which specifically focuses on West, East, and South and North Africa regions.
The International Print Media Award will also be awarded to the best International Newspaper which may be published in or outside Africa but promotes democracy and high professional standard in Africa.
Awards to be given out in the electronic media include the National Television Award, the Regional Television Award, the National Radio Award and the National Internet Award. Awards in the electronic media will follow the same criteria as that of the print media.
Awards in the Democracy Awards include the Democracy in Action Award which will recognise non-governmental organisations which have engaged the media in advancing and promoting democracy and social justice within the following regional groupings in Africa, West, West, South, North, East regions. It must engage the public and governments in a bid to improve and enhance the practice of democracy, the rule of law and freedom of expression.
The Campaign for Change Award will recognise organisation/s that have most effectively influenced opinions and
behaviour to impact on democracy, accountable governance, and rule of law, peace and demonstrable high standard of professional the media.
The Individual Awards will honour individual/s that have shown an outstanding commitment to promoting democracy, rule of law, accountable governance, peace or a demonstrable high professionalism as a media practitioner in Africa.
The Corporate Community Impact Award will be given to a corporate body which has supported in diverse ways the growth of democracy and the media or both to bring about change in the lives of Africans, one that impacts communities and enhances the lives of the people for a better future.
The Life Time Achievement Award will be awarded to individual/s that has selflessly devoted his/her time to the greater good of Africans in any endeavour.
Special category awards will also be given to the Best African Journalist in Investigative Journalism, the Best African Journalist of the year in Democracy, the Best African Journalist of the year in gender/democracy, the Best African Journalists of the Year in Environmental reporting and the Best African Journalist of the Year in Development.
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