CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2013 finalists announced

Now in its 18th year, the awards are still going strong and continues to recognise African journalists in various categories - from radio and television to digital and environmental journalism. The competition received entries from 42 countries across the continent, including French and Portuguese speaking Africa.

Announcing the finalists, chairperson of the independent judging panel Ferial Haffajee said "A tough table of judges was often visibly impressed by the range of stories presented to us. African journalists, as represented by our entries, have risen to the challenge of 2012. The big stories were well-covered. The small stories were not forgotten. We commend the dedication of journalists who are very much part of a rising Africa with rising professionalism, increased appetite for tough and investigative journalism, an eye on those left behind and a deep commitment to telling good stories across many mediums."

Finalists

The 27 finalists from 11 countries are:

Gifty Andoh Appiah, Joy News TV, Ghana
Rebekah Awuah, GBC 24, Ghana
Domingos Bento, Seminário Novo Jornal, Angola
Thomas Otieno Bwire, Pamoja FM, Kibera, Kenya
Axcel Micael Chenney, Le Défi Média Group, Mauritius
Florence Dallu, Freelance for Koch FM, Kenya
Nicola de Chaud, Freelance for Carte Blanche, South Africa
Adrian de Kock, The Star, South Africa
Ibrahima-Benjamin Diagne, Radio Futurs Médias (RFM), Senegal
Msindisi Fengu and Yandisa Monakali, Daily Dispatch, South Africa
Selma Inocência, Rede de Comunicação Miramar, Mozambique
Geoff Iyatse, The Guardian, Nigeria
Thanduxolo Jika and Media 24 Investigations Team, Media 24, South Africa
Judy Jeptum Kosgei and Mauritius Oduor, Citizen TV, Kenya
Lucas Ledwaba, City Press, South Africa
Lázaro Mabunda, O País, Mozambique
Carol Natukunda, New Vision, Uganda
Amon Ngabo, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, Uganda
Tolu Ogunlesi, Freelance for Ventures Africa, Nigeria
Oluwatoyosi Ogunseye, Sunday Punch, Nigeria
Brenda Okoth, The Star, Kenya
Nassima Oulebsir, El Watan, Algeria
Passant Rabie, Egypt Today, Egypt
Roseline Wangui and Wambui Kurema, NTV, Kenya

The winners of the competition will be announced at an award ceremony and gala evening taking place in Cape Town, South Africa, 12 October 2013. The host for the evening is Isha Sesay, host of CNN International's 'NewsCenter'.

The independent judging panel, chaired by Haffajee, Editor-in-Chief, City Press, South Africa includes: Debo Adesina, Editor-in-Chief, The Guardian Newspaper, Nigeria; Betty Dindi, Managing Editor, Nation Media Group, Kenya; Jean-Paul Gérouard, Editor-in-Chief, France Télévisions ; Anton Harber, Professor of journalism & media studies, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; Joel Kibazo, Journalist and Media Consultant; Arlindo Lopes, General Manager, Regulatory and Corporate, Angola and Mozambique, MultiChoice Africa Ltd; Arlindo Macedo, Journalist Rádio Nacional de Angola, (RNA); Amadou Mahtar Ba, CEO, African Media Initiative and Kim Norgaard, CNN Bureau Chief, South Africa

The competition is once again supported by the following sponsors, who continue to lend their valuable support to the awards: The Coca-Cola Company; Ecobank; Ericsson; IPP Media, Tanzania; Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), UNICEF and A24 Media.

An all-expenses paid four day programme of workshops, media forums, networking has been set up for the finalists during the run up to the award ceremony.

Tony Maddox, executive vice-president and managing director of CNN International said: "Now in its 18th year, the quality and excellence of the work submitted to the African Journalist Awards continues to rise year on year, ensuring that the 2013 competition maintains its place as the most prestigious Pan African Awards for journalists. CNN is proud to continue its commitment to fostering inspired journalistic excellence in African reporting."

Collins Khumalo, CEO of MultiChoice South Africa, said: "MultiChoice South Africa is proud to play a role in amplifying the voice of journalists across the African continent. We congratulate the finalists for telling the stories of Africa and its people to the world. We look forward to welcoming you to Cape Town for the awards."

Nico Meyer, CEO of MultiChoice Africa said: "MultiChoice Africa is especially proud to once again partner with CNN in hosting these prestigious Awards. We believe that these awards play a key role in encouraging excellence in media while sharing the great stories of the continent. Congratulations to the finalists of 2013, we look forward to hosting you in Cape Town in October to celebrate the best journalism Africa has to offer."