OPEN: 2023 OFAB Media Awards Focuses On Sustainable Agriculture

Opportunity is opened to media practitioners reporting on science-related issues, to apply for the 2023 Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Media Awards specifically, on “Sustainable Agriculture Biotechnology”.

The OFAB Media Awards was initiated to; i) promote excellence in science journalism and appreciate the contribution of journalists in promoting sustainable agricultural technologies, particularly agricultural biotechnology, and ii) reward the critical roles played by journalists in promoting constructive dialogue on modern biotechnology through responsible, professional, ethical, and effective reporting.

The culmination of the Award is the OFAB Africa Media Awards contest that brings together OFAB country-level finalists from which the overall winners are selected. The call will culminate in celebrating and awarding three winning journalists in the categories of Television, Radio and Print & Online.

Eligibility

• Ghanaian journalists who have been reporting on agricultural biotechnology in your country.
• Articles submitted for consideration should have been published from June 2022 to the date of submission in 2023.
• Categories for the award will be:
• Print and Online (Newspapers, Magazine and Online)
• Radio (Audio or podcast)
• Television

Entry limit: Applicants may submit a maximum of THREE entries per category and may enter for MORE THAN ONE category.

Previous Awards Runner-ups can also participate

KEY DATES FOR OFAB MEDIA AWARDS 2023

* Submission of Entries from Journalists-27th June to 30th August 2023
* Publication done from the period 1st June, 2023 to 30th August 2023 are eligible for entry

APPLICANTS MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING WITH THE PUBLICATION TO BE SUBMITTED :

I. A brief synopsis (about 150 words) of the stories submitted (Maximum 3 for each category)
II. About 150-word professional biography
III. A brief 200-word piece explaining the motivation for each story submitted
IV. Digital passport-size photo and
V. A copy of National ID/Passport
VI. Evidence of Media Accreditation /Membership of a National Media Association.

NB: Previous Award winners WILL BE INELIGIBLE to participate in this year’s competition. Runner-ups from previous years are ELIGIBLE to participate in Scoring.

An independent judging committee will select the winning entries based on:

• Scientific accuracy
• Initiative
• Originality
• Clarity of interpretation
• Value in fostering a better public understanding of agricultural biotechnology and its impact on the society

Prizes

Each category will produce 1) a category winner, 2) a runner-up. The winners of each category will be eligible to participate in OFAB Africa Media Wards (OMAs) scheduled for end of the year in the country to be announced.

The application must include the following:

• A brief synopsis (about 150 words) of the stories submitted (Max 3 for each category)
• About 150-word professional biography
• A brief 200-word piece explaining the motivation for each story submitted
• Digital passport-size photo and
• A copy of national ID/Passport.Evidence of Media Accreditation/Membership of a National Media Association.

Submission Modalities

• Journalists are encouraged to submit entries by sharing:
• Entries should be submitted to ofabghana@outlook.com
• Links or URLs (active links) to published articles should be added to the documents submitted.
• Any online links (active links) to TV and Radio stories should be added to the application

 

Entries should be submitted no later than 30th Aug 2023

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OFAB is a partnership platform that contributes to the creation of an enabling environment for biotechnology research, development, and deployment for the benefit of smallholder farmers in Africa.

Driven by a vision of sustainable food security and agriculture-driven economic development in Africa, OFAB enhances knowledge and awareness of agricultural biotechnology to build an understanding of the technology and inform decision-making.

Established by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in 2006, OFAB operates in ten countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Rwanda, Mozambique, and Malawi.