PUB: ICFJ Story Contest for Best Coverage of Vaccines (South Africa) > Writers Afrika

ICFJ Story Contest for
Best Coverage of Vaccines
(South Africa)

Journalists in Sub-Saharan Africa, Pakistan and the Gulf States have a chance to win a trip to the United States or cash prizes as part of three regional competitions to recognize the best media coverage of vaccines and immunizations.

Stories published or broadcast in Sub-Saharan Africa, Pakistan and the Gulf States between March 15 and May 15, 2013, which includes World Immunization Week (April 24-30), will qualify for the regional contests. The deadline for submitting stories is May 20, 2013.

Each top winner will receive a cash prize and a two-week study tour to the United States.

Entries must relate to diseases that are preventable or treatable with vaccines, such as polio, measles and pneumonia. Possible topics include discovery of new vaccines, testing of vaccines, public attitudes toward vaccination, innovative approaches to delivery of vaccines, or the efficacy or failure of vaccination campaigns.

The program is administered by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) in Washington, D.C., in partnership with the African Health Journalists Association and the Arab Media Forum.

Journalists working in each region for print, broadcast or online media qualify. The contest also is open to affiliated freelance journalists. Submitted work must have appeared in a media outlets based in each region or distributed mainly in the region. Submissions may be made in English, Arabic (Gulf), Urdu (Pakistan), or English, French, Portuguese or Amharic (Africa). Submissions in other languages must include an English translation.

CRITERIA:

  • Entries may include feature articles, in-depth, investigative or explanatory stories, multimedia reports, documentaries or discussion programs.

  • Stories must be well-researched and well-written or presented, and we encourage stories that use data, mapping and/or citizen voices to support their coverage.

  • We are especially looking for stories that use innovative tools and techniques to engage or reach the public, such as Facebook chats, Twitter feeds, or the use of text messaging to solicit citizen reports on the spread of preventable diseases.

  • Applicants may submit more than one entry.
The deadline for submitting stories for each regional contest is May 20. Winners will be announced on July 1, 2013. Please post stories you enter on Twitter and use the hashtag #vaccinestory.

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA CONTEST:

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries/ submissions: vaccinestories-africa@icfj.org

Website: http://www.icfj.org/