By Hajaratu Kalokoh
The Independent Media Commission (IMC) has launched the 9th edition of its annual National Media Awards for media practitioners. IMC said the award is organized to celebrate dedication and professionalism within the journalism profession.
They also said the event is meant to promote healthy competition among media institutions and individual practitioners.
April 18th has been announced as the date for this year’s awards ceremony.
Chairman of the Commission, George Khoyama, explained to journalists at a press conference on Tuesday that the competition was meant to improve reportage on various issues.
“Once again, it is an opportunity for you to sharpen your journalistic prose, cons and skills in various categories of your choice. That talent had remained dormant over the years and you should now reactivate it,” Kohyama said.
He added: “The IMC National Media Awards nights is one of our flagship events aimed at identifying and honoring individual journalists and media houses that have demonstrated outstanding professionalism and responsibility in the practice of the profession.”
A total of 27 categories were announced, under which journalists could send in their work.
Some of the categories include best coverage on Agriculture, Education, Human Rights, Children, Sports, Business and Economy.
Journalists who wish to participate in the competition are expected to be registered and paid up members of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ).
IMC Commissioner, Dr. Victor Suma, said the award ceremony will serve as an illustration that the regulatory agency did not only limit itself to monitoring media institutions but also promotes professionalism.
“We need to encourage journalists to appreciate their profession more than just having us as a regulator, more than just having us as a monitor. It is important to see us as people who are here to help the press become professionals,” he said.
Dr. Suma added: “If you are working very hard, if you are working diligently and if you are playing by the rules, some way somehow somebody is bound to recognize the unique contribution that you have given to this profession and to everybody in Sierra Leone.”
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