African reporters rewarded for excellence in ICT journalism
By Mercy Wambui, Communication Officer, ECA
18 November, 2005

Tunis, 18 November - Three journalists scooped the African Information Society Initiative (AISI) Media Awards for excellence in reporting on African ICT issues at a ceremony held in Tunis on 15 November.

The ceremony was organized by the Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) and the Swiss Development Corporation. The AISI media awards are presented by ECA in collaboration with partners.

Joseph Adri Gnassengbe from Togo won joint first prize along with Salif Sanogo from Mali TV. Joseph’s prize was for TV coverage and analysis of the WSIS Plan of Action, the first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), NEPAD ICT programmes and the link to WSIS in a video entitled “Les Initiatives Africaines dans le processus du SMSI.” The video also covers the Africa Regional Preparatory Conference for WSIS organized by ECA in Accra, Ghana from 2 - 4 February 2005.

Salif’s prize was for his programme on the WSIS process – “From Geneva to Tunis”. The programme highlights Africa's participation during the first phase in Geneva, through the Bamako Regional Preparatory Conference organized by ECA in 2002. He looks at Africa’s preparation for the second phase and provides extensive coverage of the Accra meeting as well as interviews with African experts on challenges facing the continent. The documentary offers a critical analysis of Africa's preparations and how WSIS can help fine-tune the continent's strategy in building an inclusive Information Society.

Emmanuel Onyongo from Tanzania won an award for his articles, such as “Get to Know about the WSIS and its processes; Towards WSIS”; “Why Africa's participation is important”; “Why African media should be recognized at WSIS”. He focuses on creating awareness of the WSIS process, and the importance of Africa's participation in the process.

The article "Get to know about the WSIS and its processes" provides an overview of the WSIS process and aims to create awareness among the general public. The article on Africa's participation argues that there should be digital solidarity in which the rich nations help the developing ones gain greater access to ICTs. The article on the media examines the significance of WSIS in relation to African media contribution to the continent's development

In October 2005, nine journalists received similar AISI awards at a ceremony organized in collaboration with Highway Africa in South Africa. The Tunis awards were presented to coincide with the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which opened on 16 November 2005.