Wikimedia Foundation Launches Inaugural Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards for African Journalists

The Wikimedia Foundation has announced the launch of the first-ever Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards, a prestigious initiative designed to celebrate the remarkable contributions of journalists in Africa. The awards aim to recognize those journalists who prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in their reporting, thereby enriching the knowledge base on platforms such as Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects.

The Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards highlight the critical role that journalists play in producing well-researched articles that serve as source materials for volunteer editors to develop content on Wikimedia platforms. By focusing on topics that expand knowledge about Africa, these journalists contribute to a more comprehensive and accurate representation of the continent’s culture, history, and events on one of the world’s most visited websites.

African journalists residing on the continent are encouraged to self-nominate articles they have written under various categories that have been carefully selected with the assistance of Wikimedia contributors in Africa. The categories for submission include Arts, Culture, Heritage, and Sports; Health, Climate Change, and Environment; Women and Youth; and Digital and Human Rights.

To participate, interested journalists can submit their work through the dedicated page at https://wikimediafoundation.org/our-work/open-the-knowledge/journalism-awards/submit/. Submissions opened on May 3, 2023, at 00:00 UTC and will close on June 30, 2023, at 23:59 UTC.

The awards carry significant recognition and rewards for the winners. The first-place award recipient will receive a cash prize of USD 2000, a trophy, and a certificate of recognition. Additionally, they will have the unique opportunity to join Wikimedians at the African Regional Community Conference, known as Wiki Indaba, in November 2023. At the conference, the award recipient will have the chance to share their experiences as a journalist, shed light on the challenges and opportunities they encounter in their work, and engage with other like-minded individuals. The second-place award-recipient will be awarded a cash prize of USD 1500, along with a certificate of recognition. Moreover, the Wikimedia Foundation will present Special Mentions to four additional nominees, one in each category, as a testament to their outstanding contributions.

All awardees, including those receiving Special Mentions, will be featured and celebrated on the Wikimedia Foundation’s website and across their various social media channels. The announcement of the awardees is scheduled to take place in November (3–5) at the Africa Regional Community Conference, where the winners’ achievements will be widely acknowledged and applauded.

The Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards reflect the Wikimedia Foundation’s ongoing commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. By honoring the remarkable work of African journalists, these awards inspire a wider understanding of the continent’s culture, history, and events, enriching the knowledge available to millions of users worldwide.