Deadline: 17-Jan-21
The Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling has been announced which is a collaboration between the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), the ONE Campaign, and the Elliott family honours up-and-coming journalists in Africa who strives to strengthen people’s voices and illuminate the transformational change taking place on the continent.
Thanks to the award’s many donors and the generous support of The Economist, ICFJ is pleased to announce that in 2021 they are expanding the competition to honour two award winners who published groundbreaking journalistic work.
This prestigious annual award honours an emerging journalist in Africa who strives to strengthen people’s voices and illuminate the transformational change taking place on the continent. The winners will be invited to take part in a virtual internship with prestigious media outlets where they will have access to editorial meetings and media experts and share their own experiences with top journalists. To take full advantage of the training opportunities offered, applicants must speak English, even if they work in another language.
Due to ongoing travel restrictions as a result of COVID-19, the 2021 program will take place virtually. ICFJ will arrange a series of approximately 10 virtual meetings over the course of the fellowship, featuring media and experts from U.S. and U.K. newsrooms as well as former Michael Elliott Award winners. ICFJ will tailor these sessions to the interests of the award winners. The sessions will include meetings with journalists from prominent international outlets, such as the Washington Post, The Economist, Al Jazeera and others.
Award Information
- The two 2021 winners will also receive a $5,000 cash prize.
Eligibility Criteria
- The contest is open to English-speaking journalists working in Africa for print, broadcast and online news media. Applicants must have no more than 10 years of journalism experience.
- Applicants must submit one published piece that exemplifies Africa through thoughtful reporting and excellent storytelling. They are looking for impactful investigative or explanatory pieces, especially those that illuminate transformational change in Africa.
- A copy of the published story or broadcast clip must be submitted in English. Works in other languages must include English translations. They welcome submissions from print, broadcast or digital journalists. Multimedia submissions may include web, audio, video, visual or mixed media.
- The submitted story must be published between December 1, 2019, and December 1, 2020.
For more information, visit https://www.icfj.org/our-work/michael-elliott-award-excellence-african-storytelling