The award is designed to honour and recognise individuals who have made tremendous inroads in the field of journalism, thus promoting excellence.
At a recent presser held at the GPU premises, Miss Isatou Keita, Vice President of GPU, who is also Chair of this year’s organising committee, said the award pays tribute to the valor and excellence displayed by Gambian journalists across a diverse spectrum of media platforms, encompassing print, online, radio, television, and photography.
The awards, she added, 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 and on the 2nd of December last year. For this year, preparations are underway to stage the event on the 16th of December,”
“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 galvanise journalists to relentlessly pursue excellence within their respective domains.” she highlighted.
She revealed that the 2023 awards ceremony will feature 17 distinct award categories, excluding the special GPU awards, in recognition of outstanding journalistic achievements.
The awards committee, she added, is in the process of confirming a panel of judges comprising 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.”
She called for the continuous collaboration and support of all both public and private to successfully stage the event.
Meanwhile, 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, Travel and Tourism Reporting Award, Culture, Arts and Entertainment Reporting Award, Agriculture Reporting Award, Political Reporting Award, Human Rights Reporting Award, Legal Affairs Reporting Award, Photo Journalism Award, Journalist of the Year, Security Reporter of the Year, and Community/Rural Radio of the Year.
