Kenyan journalists have an opportunity to participate in the Energy Journalism Excellence Awards (EJEA) following the launch of Call for Entries.
The annual Awards are aimed at encouraging and sustaining positive, objective coverage of energy issues.
The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and line utilities are the organizers of the Awards, which are in the second edition. The inaugural edition was held in 2014.
KenGen is taking the leading role in organising the second edition of the Awards, after which other energy utilities will take over on a rotational basis.
Speaking during the launch, Energy Principal Secretary, Eng Joseph Njoroge, urged the media to objectively report on energy to enhance citizens participation in economic development.
“As stakeholders in the energy sector, we need to facilitate and incentivise the media so that they can narrate developments that impact the economy,” said Njoroge.
KenGen MD and CEO Eng. Albert Mugo said the Awards offer the sector a platform to recognize, celebrate and encourage continuous quality energy and petroleum journalism.
“As industry players, we are happy to take the lead in building capacity of journalists so that they are able to understand issues within the sector and offer factual media coverage for the development of the economy,” said Eng. Mugo.
The Awards will include journalism academies which will be used to equip reporters with knowledge on various issues and developments within the energy sector.
Following the launch of the Call for Entries, journalists can submit articles on the energy and/or petroleum sector published in the print media or broadcast on electronic media between July 1st, 2015 and June 30th, 2016.
The Awards are open to Kenyan based professionals, those directly employed or freelancers, reporting about Kenya who have reported on an article in print media, broadcast or online/digital media.
Below are the categories for the entries (visit www.kengen.co.ke/ejea for more information)
- Energy Journalist of the Year
- Energy Policies and Regulations
- Energy Efficiency and Green Initiatives
- Oil and Gas Upstream Story of the Year
- Oil and Gas Downstream story of the year
- Geothermal Power Generation Story of the Year
- Power Infrastructure Story of the Year
- Power Distribution Story of the Year
- Nuclear Story of the Year
- Energy Finance Story of the Year
- Community Relations story of the Year
- Photojournalist of the Year
Energy parastatals involved in the process are the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen); Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), Kenya Power, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board (KNEB); National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOCK), Geothermal Development Corporation (GDC), Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited (KPRL), Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) and the Rural Electrification Authority (REA).
Winners will receive trophies and cash prizes. The overall winner will enjoy an all expenses paid finalists’ programme of networking activities and workshops, culminating in the Gala Awards Ceremony.