By NECJOGHA Reporter | Djibouti City, Djibouti
Djibouti City, Djibouti– July 17, 2025 – In a region where narratives shape destinies, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) stands as a beacon for journalistic excellence. The IGAD Media Awards, a flagship initiative of the intergovernmental body, is not merely a competition; it’s a powerful commitment to fostering an ethical, responsible, and impactful media landscape across Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda.
Rooted in IGAD’s Communication Strategy and Institutional Strengthening Action Programme (ISAP), these awards elevate the media’s crucial role as partners in shaping dialogues that matter, from peace and security to the increasingly urgent issue of climate resilience. Each year, the awards strategically align with IGAD’s priorities, spotlighting pressing regional issues and celebrating those who courageously bring these stories to light.
Beyond the well-deserved recognition, the IGAD Media Awards serve as a dynamic platform for professional growth, collaboration, and public engagement. This year, with a strong focus on climate resilience, the awards are poised to unearth and amplify stories of adaptation, innovation, and thriving communities in the face of environmental challenges.
Who Can Participate? A Call to Storytellers Across the Region
The IGAD Media Awards are free and open to a diverse range of media professionals, reflecting the rich tapestry of storytelling within the region. Practicing journalists from any of the eight IGAD Member States are eligible, as are freelance journalists and independent media professionals. Whether your work graces mainstream publications, digital platforms, or multimedia outlets, your voice is valued. Foreign correspondents and content creators whose work specifically focuses on the IGAD region are also encouraged to submit their impactful pieces.
A Broad Spectrum of Excellence: Award Categories
The awards encompass a comprehensive array of categories, ensuring that every facet of journalistic excellence is recognized:
- Print: For outstanding newspaper or magazine reporting demonstrating depth, accuracy, and impact on regional issues.
- Radio: Honouring compelling audio storytelling, including features, podcasts, or documentaries, that inform and engage diverse audiences.
- Television Journalism: Awarding excellence in televised news features, documentaries, or investigative reports addressing key regional themes.
- Digital Media: Celebrating innovative and impactful online journalism, including blogs, multimedia content, and digital storytelling formats.
- Photography: Acknowledging powerful visual storytelling through photo essays or single images capturing critical moments or narratives.
- Indigenous Language Reporting: Rewarding impactful journalism delivered in local or national languages that broaden accessibility and inclusion.
- Influencer of the Year: Recognizing a digital creator using social media to drive awareness and dialogue around development, peace, or climate issues.
- Upcoming Media Personality of the Year: Highlighting an emerging journalist or content creator making a significant impact through fresh, dynamic storytelling.
- Gender Responsive Media: Honouring reporting that champions gender equality, women’s voices, and inclusive narratives across the region.
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Paying tribute to a seasoned media professional for their enduring contributions to journalism and public service storytelling.
All entries must have been published or broadcast between April 1, 2024, to July 30, 2025, ensuring the spotlight remains on recent and relevant contributions.
A Rigorous and Impartial Judging Process
The integrity of the IGAD Media Awards is paramount. A diverse panel of regional experts in journalism, media development, climate action, and governance leads the judging process. This multi-stage evaluation includes:
- Screening: Ensuring all entries meet eligibility criteria and are complete.
- Scoring: Judges meticulously evaluate submissions using a standardized rubric.
- Deliberation: A moderated panel discussion to ensure consensus on the strongest entries.
- Final Selection: Winners are chosen based on cumulative scores and collective consensus.
Crucially, all judges operate under a strict conflict-of-interest policy, guaranteeing impartiality and fairness throughout the process.
Criteria for Excellence: What the Judges Look For
Each submission is rigorously evaluated based on key criteria designed to identify truly impactful journalism:
- Relevance to Theme: How effectively the work covers climate change, resilience, adaptation, or broader regional development.
- Accuracy and Depth: The use of reliable sources, robust data, and meticulous fact-checking.
- Creativity and Innovation: The originality of the storytelling approach, format, or use of multimedia.
- Impact and Reach: The demonstrable influence on public discourse, behavior, or policy.
- Ethical Standards: Adherence to fairness, balance, and professional journalism ethics.
Upholding Standards: Rules & Guidelines
To ensure a smooth and fair competition, all participants must adhere to a clear set of rules. All work must be original and clearly attributed, with plagiarism leading to immediate disqualification. Each participant is limited to one entry, and all submissions must include a working link or file upload of the media product. For entries not in English, translations or transcripts are mandatory. Entrants are also reminded to provide accessible content for paywalled outlets to avoid disqualification during the screening and judging period. Joint or team submissions are welcomed, with all contributing authors to be clearly indicated.
By submitting an entry, participants grant IGAD the right to use the work for promotional, training, and advocacy purposes, with full attribution. The judges’ decision is final and not subject to appeal, underscoring the rigorous and respected nature of the awards.
The IGAD Media Awards stand as a testament to the power of storytelling in driving regional peace, development, and integration. As the region grapples with the complexities of climate change, these awards are more vital than ever, shining a light on the dedicated journalists who are shaping narratives that truly matter and inspiring action for a more resilient future.
