The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), in partnership with the Wikimedia Foundation, has announced the launch of the Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards, a new initiative celebrating African journalists whose reporting strengthens Wikipedia’s coverage of the continent.
Wikipedia, one of the most visited websites globally, relies on volunteer editors who can only add information backed by reliable, published sources. Organizers say the awards highlight the critical role journalists play in ensuring Africa’s diverse stories are represented on the platform.
Applications are open until March 1, with a focus on reporting that covers women and youth, as well as arts, culture, heritage, and sports.
Part of ICFJ+ Collaboration
The awards form part of ICFJ+, a new venture by ICFJ with Code for Africa and PROTO. The initiative aims to build stronger information ecosystems by connecting journalists with technologists, fact-checkers, civil society, and open knowledge platforms.
Code for Africa already supports the African Wikipedian Alliance, a network dedicated to fact-checking and expanding Africa-focused content on Wikipedia. Organizers say the alliance and the new awards exemplify the “radical collaboration” needed to close knowledge gaps.
Call to Journalists
Sharon Moshavi, President of ICFJ and Co-CEO of ICFJ+, urged journalists across Africa to submit their work.
“When journalists and open knowledge platforms work together, we make it easier for people to receive information that helps them make sense of the world,” Moshavi said.
The Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards are expected to spotlight reporting that not only informs audiences today but also shapes the global record of knowledge for the future.
