Deadline: 21-Oct-20
The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Uganda Chapter invites applications for the 3rd edition of 2020 OFAB Media Awards (OMAs).
Annually, the OMAs recognises the critical roles played by the media in promoting constructive dialogue on modern biotechnology through responsible, professional, ethical and effective reporting.
The submitted stories in English can be about Agri-biotech discoveries, developments, technology impacts on livelihoods/economies, biotech projects, challenges and policies in Uganda.
Objectives
- 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.
Award Categories
The Awards are in the following categories:
- Print & Online Category (Newspapers, Magazine & Online etc.): Can include Newspaper, Magazine or Online (digital). Each entry can be any of the following:
- A single article;
- Up to three articles from a thematic series, each clearly designated as part of a series (At least two of the parts must have been published during the contest period. For series with more than three parts, enter only three for judging), and
- A group of three unrelated articles.
- Radio Category: Entries may consist of either a single story; an entry of three unrelated stories; or a thematic series (submit no more than three parts of the series for judging). Submit a link to an MP3 file of the broadcast. The MP3 file must be freely accessible throughout the screening and judging period — 30th November, 2020 — either through an active URL or an archived link. Additionally, upload a text transcript of the radio broadcast or podcast, or submit a link where judges can read the transcript online.
- Television Category: Entries under this category can be:
- Spot News/Feature Reporting: A single segment or series not to exceed 20 minutes in total; and
- In Depth Reporting: Programs or segments of more than 20 minutes.
Eligibility Criteria
- The award is open to all journalists in Uganda, in the broadcast (television, radio) and print and online media.
- The entry should be a story published or aired between July 2019 and October 2020.
- Only one entry is allowed per applicant (Maximum three entries per category).
Submission Criteria
- Entries must reach by the deadline mentioned in the call.
- 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 and radio pieces to SoundCloud. 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 at the address give on the website.
For more information, visit https://www.uncst.go.ug/2020-ofab-media-awards/