Anas in CNN Journalists Awards finalists

Accra, May 13, GNA - Anas Aremeyaw Anas, a journalist working with The New Crusading Guide, has been named among this year's CNN/Multichoice African Journalists of the Year Awards finalists. Anas is the only Ghanaian among 25 finalists from 12 countries, according to a statement released in Accra.

The other finalists are Ayodeji Adeyemi, TELL Magazine, Nigeria, Biaou Daniel Val=E9rien Adje, ORTB - Parakou, Benin, Rajen Bablee, Samedi Plus, Mauritius, Ernesto Bartolomeu, TPA, Angola, Nicola De Chaud, Backyard Productions for Carte Blanche, South Africa, Ethar El-Katatney, Business Today, Egypt, Hazel Friedman, Special Assignment, SABC, South Africa, Halden Krog, The Times, South Africa, Anna-Maria Lombard, Health-e News Service for 3rd Degree etv, South Africa, Paul McNally, Men's Health Magazine, South Africa and James Moturi Mogaka, KTN, Kenya.

Others are Fredrick Mugira, Freelance for Mail & Guardian online www.mg.co.za, Uganda, Sammy Muraya, Metro FM, Kenya, Boniface Mwangi, Expression Today, Kenya, John Benson Mwangi, KTN, Kenya, John-Allan Namu, KTN, Kenya, Elshadai Negash, Freelance for Fortune Newspaper, Ethiopia, Lu=EDs Nhachote, Zambeze, Mozambique, Tolu Ogunlesi, Contributing Editor for Glide Magazine, Nigeria, Violet Otindo, K24 Television, Kenya, Odette Schwegler, Backyard Productions for Carte Blanche, South Africa, Viviane Tiendr=E9b=E9ogo, Radiodiffusion T=E9l=E9vision du Burkina Faso, Beauregard Tromp, The Star, South Africa, and Alain Zongo, L'Observateur Paalga, Burkina Faso. The statement said this year's competition received entries from 836 journalists from 38 countries, including French and Portuguese speaking countries.

The categories include Arts & Culture, Economics and Business, Environment, Free Press Africa, HIV/AIDS Reporting, MSD Health & Medical: Mohamed Amin Photographic; Print General News; Radio General News; Sport; Television Features; Television News Bulletin; Tourism; Francophone General News and Portuguese Language General News "The winners will be announced at the 14th Award Ceremony and Gala Evening at The International Convention Centre, Durban, South Africa on Saturday 18th July," it said.

It named Nicaise Kibel'bel Oka, of Les Coulisses in the Democratic Republic of Congo as the recipient of the Free Press Africa Award, saying that Mr. Oka was being awarded for his work in the DRC, and also in recognition of all the journalists in the DRC who had put their lives at risk in telling the story.

The statement also paid tribute to three journalists who were murdered fulfilling their professional duties: Pascal Kabungulu, killed 31st July 2005; Serge Maheshe, killed 13th June, 2007; and Didace Namujimbo, killed 23rd November 2008.

The statement quoted Mr. Azubuike Ishiekwene, Chairman of the Independent Panel of Judges as saying that "2009 saw a steady, remarkable improvement in the overall quality of the entries- A number of journalists who entered the competition over the last few years took the opportunity to improve their skills, enter again and raise the bar on their previous entries."

He said many first time entrants also delivered inspiring work that raised the overall quality, adding that the competition was particularly strong in the Health, Sport, Tourism, Environment, TV, Radio and Print General News categories.

Sponsors include: British Airways; Coca-Cola Africa; Ecobank, IPP Media, Tanzania; Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD); Safebond Africa Ltd; South African Tourism; Zain; Global Media Alliance; and A24 Media. Mr. Tony Maddox, Executive Vice President of CNN International, was also quoted as saying that "once again the calibre of entries is outstanding."

Nolo Letele, Group CEO, MultiChoice South Africa said his company was happy to partner with CNN to recognise and reward excellence in journalism on the continent. The CNN/Multichoice Africa Journalists Award recognises