The Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit that operates Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, is today launching the inaugural Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards. Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, this year’s awards celebrate the contributions of journalists in Africa who prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in their reporting.
The awards recognize the essential role journalists play in creating well-researched articles that volunteer editors use as source materials to develop content on Wikipedia. Journalism that highlights diverse experiences helps to grow the knowledge base on one of the world’s most visited websites so that it is more reflective of the topics, events, and people that influence the understanding of culture and history through the ages.
Wikimedia Foundation Launches Journalism Awards 2023
This award holds significant value, as it acknowledges the crucial role that journalists play in generating well-researched articles. These articles become the bedrock for volunteer editors who develop content for Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects. The initiative aims to broaden the knowledge base of one of the world’s most visited websites, making it more reflective of the various topics, events, and people that shape our understanding of culture and history.
Inviting African Journalists to Nominate Their Work
African journalists currently residing on the continent are encouraged to self-nominate articles they’ve written that expand our knowledge about Africa.
Award Categories
The categories for self-nomination have been selected with the assistance of Wikimedia contributors from Africa:
- Arts, Culture, Heritage, and Sports
- Health, Climate Change, and Environment
- Women and Youth
- Digital and Human Rights
Prize Overview
The awards are impressive, with not only monetary rewards but also opportunities for networking and recognition:
- First-place Award Recipient: The winner will receive a cash prize of USD $2,000, a trophy, a certificate of recognition, and an invitation to the African Regional Community Conference, Wiki Indaba, in November 2023. This platform will allow the recipient to share their journalistic experiences, challenges, and opportunities.
- Second-place Award Recipient: The runner-up will receive USD $1,500 and a certificate of recognition.
- Special Mentions: The Wikimedia Foundation will also acknowledge an additional four nominees, one in each category.
All awardees (including special mentions) will receive widespread acknowledgment on the Wikimedia Foundation’s website and social media channels.
Eligibility Criteria
Interested journalists should adhere to the following criteria:
- Must be citizens of an African country and primarily reside in Africa.
- Articles must be about the African continent and must relate to the award categories.
- Articles should have been published between January 1, 2022, to June 23, 2023.
- Articles must be published in English.
- Submissions must be original work and should demonstrate in-depth analysis and/or investigative reporting.
- Proof of the article’s publication in the form of a link/URL should be provided.
- All submitted articles must be accurate, well-researched, and objective. Misinformation or misrepresentation of facts is strictly prohibited.
- Journalists must demonstrate ethical conduct and adherence to journalistic standards.
- Articles must be accessible for viewing without a paywall.
How to Apply
Journalists can submit multiple articles, but the same article cannot be submitted in more than one category. The category should be chosen based on the article’s content.
The Wikimedia Foundation continues to promote access to free knowledge with this remarkable initiative. So, African journalists, it’s time to submit your work and contribute to shaping a more inclusive narrative about Africa.
I hope you find this article helpful.
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