Entries Open for the Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling

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Sharon Moshav
President of ICFJ

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), the ONE Campaign, and the Elliott family have announced a call for entries, which must represent groundbreaking journalistic work, for the Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling.

The award honours up-and-coming journalists in Africa who strive to strengthen people’s voices and illuminate the transformational change taking place on the continent. It will see winners selected based on the quality of their articles and the impact their work has had on communities.

The winners will receive a $5,000 cash prize, a personalized crystal award and an opportunity to spend up to two weeks at The Economist headquarters in London, or to complete a tailored study tour of US newsrooms.

The Award contest is open to English-speaking journalists working in Africa for print, broadcast, and online news media with no more than 10 years of journalism experience. Entries must have been published between December 1, 2021, and December 1, 2022 to be eligible.

Applicants should submit one published piece that exemplifies Africa through thoughtful reporting and excellent storytelling. The organisers are looking for impactful investigative or explanatory pieces, especially those illuminating transformational change in Africa.

Entries must include a copy of the published story or broadcast clip which should be submitted in English. However, works in other languages are accepted but must include English translations. The award welcomes submissions from print, broadcast, or digital journalists. Multimedia submissions may include web, audio, video, visual, or mixed media.

Qualified and interested journalist should apply using the application form for the 2023 cycle which is available here. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2023.

The Award was established in honour of Michael Elliott, an outstanding editor, philanthropist, and former ICFJ director, whose life was a testament to the power of storytelling to bear witness to and improve the human condition. Elliott served as a distinguished editor at The Economist, Newsweek, and Time before becoming CEO of ONE. In 2016, he had spoken of his dream to establish an award that would bring together his belief in great journalism with his commitment to progress in Africa. This prestigious annual award honors emerging journalists in Africa who strive to strengthen people’s voices and illuminate the transformational change taking place on the continent. Detailed information about the award and the criteria for application can be accessed online at https://www.icfj.org/our-work/michael-elliott-award-excellence-african-storytelling