Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana has commended two Zambian journalists for scooping third position in the 2023 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Print and Broadcast award categories.
Mr Kawana said since inception the SADC awards have served as a platform to honour outstanding work in the fields of print, photography, television and radio journalism.
He said the awards stand as a testament to the commitment and dedication of journalists across the region to disseminate information that supports the process of regional cooperation and integration.
ZANIS reports that Mr Kawana was speaking at the launch of the 2024 SADC Media Awards in Lusaka today.
Mr Kawana further said the awards serve as a beacon of excellence in journalism, recognizing the invaluable contribution of media professionals promoting regional cooperation and integration within the SADC member states.
“The awards underscore the importance of regional integration they serve as a catalyst for media practitioners to research into topics that resonate across our diverse landscapes fostering understanding, collaboration and mutual respect among our nations,” he said.
He has since invited journalists to make submissions for the awards before 30 March, 2024.
“I encourage all eligible journalists to seize this opportunity to showcase their work and contribute to the vibrant media landscape of our region,” he said.
Mr Kawana also seized the opportunity to recognise the achievements of the two journalists from public media, Jonathan Mukuka from Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) and Paul Shalala from the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) for scooping the third position in the SADC Broadcast and Print Award categories respectively.
He encouraged other journalists to prioritise SADC issues in their editorial.
And Ministry of Information and Media Director for Press and Media Development, Modern Mayembe said the awards are given to journalists that publish or produce articles on the SADC development agenda adding that previously, the award was focused on politics but now has added the economic agenda.
“In that regard, the media has a role to play in highlighting the development agenda, especially with regards to the economies of the member states,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Mukuka and Mr Shalala, both said they were inspired to participate in the SADC awards by colleagues in the media circles that had won awards before them.
