The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) launched the 17th edition of the annual press awards known as the Malta Journalism Awards, with 12 categories. As from this edition, apart from the journalist himself/herself, Editors and Heads of News Departments may select and submit entries of what they consider to be the best work of any individual journalist/s, irrespective of whether that journalist belongs to the same newsroom or not. Submissions can also be forwarded by organisations, corporations and bodies.
“Through this significant innovation, the Malta Journalism Awards are being made accessible to everyone as anyone can now submit an application on his/her behalf if they are journalists, or on behalf of another journalist,” said IGM chairman Malcolm J. Naudi.
The 12 categories are:
Print categories:
Print Journalism – News, sponsored by HSBC Bank Malta plc.
Print Journalism – Features, sponsored by Vodafone Malta Ltd.
Photo Journalism, sponsored by The Farsons Foundation.
Broadcast categories:
Broadcast Journalism – TV Script, sponsored by the Broadcasting Authority.
Broadcast Journalism – TV Film, sponsored by the Broadcasting Authority.
Broadcast Journalism – Radio, sponsored by the Broadcasting Authority.
E-category:
E-Journalism.
General categories:
Overseas Assignments, sponsored by Emirates Airline.
Sports Journalism, sponsored by Melita Cable.
Sports Photography, sponsored by the Malta International Airport.
Cultural Journalism, sponsored by Malta Tourism Authority
Best Use of Maltese Language in Journalism.
This year’s edition of the Gold Award is being sponsored by the Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu.
Following recommendations by previous judging panels, the Institute draws the attention of journalists to the following points:
• Only coverages that were made overseas by the journalist concerned are to be submitted in the Overseas Assignment category,
• in the Broadcast TV Script and Broadcast Radio categories, all submissions are to be accompanied by the respective script,
• the same journalistic work or the same series can only be submitted in one category,
• journalists are to put forward their submissions in a presentable manner, and
• in selecting their best work, journalists shall seek to submit the most ethical work and avoid submitting material that only serves sensationalism.
Prizes:
• The first three classified in each category will receive a certificate.
• The winner of the first 11 categories above will each be awarded a cash prize of Lm150, a certificate and the Malta Journalism Awards trophy for the respective category.
The winner of the special category entitled Il-Lingwa Nazzjonali fil-Gurnalizmu will be presented with the Malta Journalism Award trophy for that category.
The finalists will be announced in June 2007.
The presentation ceremony will be held in September 2007 at the Audiovision Studios in Hamrun, courtesy of BPC International.
All Maltese journalists may participate in the Malta Journalism Awards, irrespective of whether they are IGM members or not. All entries whether in Maltese or in English must have been published or broadcast in Malta between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2006.
As participation in the Press Cartoons category was repeatedly low in recent years, the IGM Council decided to start holding this event on a triennial basis, with the next edition of this category being held in 2008, covering the years 2005, 2006 and 2007.
However, being a non-competing category, caricaturists or their editors may submit up to 15 caricatures per caricaturist to be considered for an annual publication to be released next year.
Submissions will be received at the offices of the Institute of Maltese Journalists, 104, Old Mint Street, Valletta, on Wednesday 11 April between 6 and 7.30pm. Non-members have to pay a participation fee with the submission.
Regulations and applications may be obtained either by phoning Mr Vella on 2131-6958, 9945-0746 or from the website www.maltapressclub.org.mt.