By: OLIVIA NNOROM
The Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit that operates Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, has launched the inaugural Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards.
Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, this year’s awards celebrate the contributions of journalists in Africa who prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion in their reporting.
The launch was held on May 3rd, 2023, also the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day.
The award upholds the core values of World Press Freedom Day, which highlights the importance of a free press as essential to amplifying diverse voices and experiences. It also aligns with one of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 goals, which seeks to increase local content in all print and electronic media to 60 percent.
The awards aims to recognise journalists who create well-researched articles that volunteer editors use as source materials to develop content on Wikipedia, closing the 85% content gap about Africa on the platform.
According to Anusha Alikhan, Wikimedia Foundation vice president of communications, “Journalists play a vital role in increasing equity on Wikipedia, ensuring that the world’s knowledge is not limited to the perspectives and experiences of a select few. Through Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards we want to celebrate these efforts, shining a light on reporting that helps to close knowledge gaps and uncovers more of Africa’s rich history and culture,”
The Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards nominations will be opened to African journalists whose stories help to expand knowledge about Africa, from May 3rd to June 30th, 2023 using the link here.
African journalists living on the continent are invited to submit their articles under the following categories: Arts, Culture, Heritage, and Sports; Health, Climate Change, and Environment; Women and Youth; Digital and Human Rights.
Articles must have been published online and in English between January 1st, 2022 and June 23rd, 2023.
Award recipients will be announced by the Wikimedia Foundation at the Africa Regional Community Conference, WikiIndaba, in November 2023.
The first-place award recipient will receive USD 2,000, as well as an opportunity to attend WikiIndaba 2023 in Morocco, where they can share more about their work, and accept a trophy, and certificate of recognition.
The second-place award recipient will receive USD 1,500 and a certificate of recognition.
In addition, the Wikimedia foundation will celebrate four other outstanding nominees who will receive special mentions for their work on their website and social media channels.
