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The National Journalism Awards, organized by The Gambia Press Union, stand as the most esteemed recognition of journalistic excellence within The Gambia. These awards pay tribute to the valor and excellence displayed by Gambian journalists across a diverse spectrum of media platforms, encompassing print, online, radio, television, and photography.
In alignment with its core mission of elevating professional standards within the Gambian media landscape, The Gambia Press Union has diligently hosted the National Journalism Awards since 2016. The driving force behind this initiative is to inspire and galvanize journalists to relentlessly pursue excellence within their respective domains.
This year’s awards committee is comprising of 10 individuals: Annette camara, Isatou Keita as the Chairperson of the committee, Nfamara Jawneh, Vice Chairperson; Buba Fatty and Therese Gomez for fundraising; Annette Camara, Abibatou Ceesay and Amadou O. Bah for communications and Branding; and Mam Binta Njie for IT support responsible for the website and assist judges to compile the entries and Alieu Ceesay and Musa Sarjo for logistics.
The awards constitute a pivotal component of GPU’s flagship activities, commemorating World Press Freedom Day annually on the 3rd of May. However, owing to logistical considerations and other challenges, the awards ceremony is typically held on an alternative date. In recent instances, it took place on the 3rd of September in 2021 on the 2nd of December in 2022 and 16th December 2023. For this year, preparations are underway to stage the event on the 7th of December 2024.
Eligibility for the awards extends to all Gambian journalists employed by registered Gambian-based media outlets and platforms. Works authored by Gambian journalists for international media sources are also eligible for consideration. Additionally, eligible entries must be stories that been produced and published both locally and internationally between the 1st of January 2023 and the 31st of December 2023. Please take note that opinion pieces, advertorials, content generated under commercial contracts for promotional purposes, and newsletter items or articles are not eligible for submission.
The 2024 awards committee is delighted to announce that this year’s ceremony will feature 21 distinct award categories, excluding the special GPU awards, in recognition of outstanding journalistic achievements.
The respective categories are:
- Business and Finance Reporting Award
- Sports Reporting Award
- Environment Reporting Award
- Investigative Reporting Award
- Health & Medical Reporting Award
- Women’s Reporting Award
- Children’s Reporting Award
- Tourism, Culture, Arts and Entertainment Reporting Award
- Agriculture Reporting Award
- Political Reporting Award
- Human Rights Reporting Award
- Legal Affairs Reporting Award
- Photo Journalism Award
- Security Reporting Award
- Tax Reporting Award
- Journalist of the Year
- Community/Rural Radio of the Year
- Radio station of the year
- TV station of the year
- Online platform of the year
- Newspaper of the year
- The awards committee is in the final stages of preparing to accept applications for the various award categories, and we aim to do so at the earliest convenience. To stay updated on crucial deadlines and essential information regarding the 2023 awards, we encourage you to follow our official social media channels: Facebook @GPU Awards, Instagram @gpuawards, Twitter @GPU Awards, and visit our website at www.gpuawards.gm.We acknowledging the pivotal role that members of the press and the public play in this process, our communication team is dedicated to fostering productive dialogues and engagements to ensure broader participation and support.
Moreover, the awards committee is in the process of confirming a panel of judges consisting of independent media experts known for their unwavering integrity. Their names and detailed biographies will be promptly published on our website. These esteemed judges will be entrusted with the vital task of receiving and evaluating all entries, ultimately determining the most deserving recipients of the awards. In their assessment, the judges will consider the following criteria:
Accuracy and Relevance
Grammar, Style and Presentation
The Impact of the Story
Creativity and Originality
It’s imperative to emphasize that while the GPU Awards Committee finalizes the selection of judges, we want to reassure everyone that these judges will maintain complete independence in their roles. Their decisions and evaluations will remain untouched by any external influence, ensuring an impartial and fair process.
This committee operates independently of the GPU and sustains its fundraising and financial activities autonomously. Therefore, we take this moment to extend thanks and appreciation to our partners who have been there with us all this while. Our appeal to organizations, both public and private institutions, and other potential donors to generously support this year’s National Journalism Awards. At this juncture, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all donors who contributed to the success of the 2023 awards.
As a dedicated committee, our mission revolves around acknowledging and commending excellence within journalism. Our aim is to celebrate and honor the impactful work that journalists undertake while simultaneously nurturing a culture of excellence within the profession. We firmly believe that the contributions of journalists significantly enrich our democracy. Thus, we extend an earnest invitation to all to stand by our side in recognizing and inspiring Gambian journalists.
We genuinely appreciate your attentive consideration and support.
Thank you.