Application Deadline: August 5th 2018
Are you a passionate journalist in Africa excited about the health of the planet, future generations and the global discourses around low-carbon, climate resilient green economic development pathways? Have you been following international and local conversations on the impact of climate change and environmental pollution on people, communities and economies? Then you should apply for the 2018 ACCER Awards.
The Africa Climate Change & Environmental Reporting (ACCER) Awards acknowledges African journalists who dedicate their time and resources chasing stories and highlighting critical environmental issues that help to bring out the plight of the poor and the marginalised in battling various aspects of climate-related impacts, highlight national policy interventions in addressing environmental issues, and showcase best practices and innovative solutions, and lessons learnt in the overall global discourses and interventions
The media’s role to inform, educate and influence is a big player in changing the climate of development, and preventing environmental degradation as the world eyes the low carbon economy as envisaged in the Paris Agreement. Media coverage of climate change has been, and remains, a significant factor in shaping public perceptions and attitudes toward the issue.
According to the nonprofit watchdog Media Matters, 2016’s coverage of climate change was the least since 2011, even with major climate change events happening.
Launched during the World Environment Day 2018 in Nairobi, Kenya, the 4th Edition of the African Climate Change and Environmental Reporting (ACCER) Awards aims to incentivize and create a critical mass of journalists reporting on the area of climate change and environment.
2018 Contest Theme
The 2018 ACCER Awards contest theme “Changing the Narrative on Environmental Challenges in Africa: the Case of Pollution” will guide participants’ entries and awards based on how they demonstrate information delivery in the following specified categories: Print, Radio, Television, Photojournalism and Online (multi-media)
Potential awardees will present direct entries with brief citations demonstrating how their journalism may have practically enhanced access to information delivery in a specified area in either English or French.
The Prize
- Cash reward of US$1000
- Full sponsorship (including return air ticket, accommodation and other living expenses) for UN Climate Change Conference on 3 – 14 December 2018 in Katowice, Poland
- Fellowship to participate in high-level reporting and training throughout 2019 courtesy of ACCER Awards Partnership.
- Winners will be announced on 11 October at a Gala Night during the 7th edition of the Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-VII) Conference
Award Selection Criteria
Award Selection criteria will be based on:
- Eligibility
- Originality, structure and quality of writing/broadcast
- Creativity : use of relevant interviews and examples to illustrate issues
- Variety of voices/quotes used
- Fluency (quality of the language- engaging writing/radio style, correct spelling and grammar)
- Respect of the prescribed submission format
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
1) Eligibility: The competition is open to all journalists from Africa and from established media houses: private or public-sector media. Freelance journalists are also eligible.
2) Submission Format:
i) Entries must be original pieces written or broadcast in English or French only.
ii) Entries submitted in each category MUST be from between January 2017 – June 2018. Articles published outside the indicated time-frame will not be accepted.
iii) Each candidate will submit only one print (in word) or audio piece (in mp3 format).
iv) All entries are to be submitted in the format below:
– Print word limit: Maximum 1,200 words
– Font: Arial, 12 point
– 5 line spacing
– Audio pieces: Maximum (5) five minutes
– TV pieces: Maximum (5) five minutes
Please contact PACJA Secretariat at info@pacja.org
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the African Climate Change and Environmental Reporting Awards 2018
