2012 Africa Business Reporting Awards Launched

The Annual Africa Business Reporting Awards 2012, has been launched by Diageo, the world’s leading premium drink business.

The awards, which was initiated by Diageo in 2004, recognises and awards journalists and editors who provide high quality coverage of the business environment in Africa.

The President of Diageo, Mr Nick Blazquez, speaking at the launch of the awards, noted that business interest in Africa has clearly accelerated as the world focuses on the continent’s impressive growth prospects.

According to Diageo, better and accurate reporting plays a critical role in framing Africa’s economic prospects and challenges and encourages greater interest in doing good business, which in turns creates the right environment for sustained prosperity on the continent.

He also added that, “As a company that operates right across Africa, we at Diageo understand the increasingly important role business journalism has in creating the right environment to operate successfully and to attract long-term investment.”

Mr Blazquez also noted that over the years, there has been a sizeable shift in the standards of business journalism and the increased efforts of the media both inside and outside of Africa to promote trade and enterprise on the continent.

He also added that “I take great pride that Diageo can celebrate these achievements and look forward to another year of outstanding contribution.”

According to him, as the Diageo Africa Business Reporting Awards approaches their tenth anniversary, they are continually thinking about ways to evolve the Awards’ relevance, impact and reach.

“Diageo hopes to build on the success of previous years, welcoming entries from all media platforms and from all over Africa and beyond,” he said.

He said this year, the New Media category has been removed as a separate category to reflect the ubiquity of multimedia use in modern news-telling while submission of pieces using new media are now encouraged across the board thus all media, including blogs and other online material, are eligible in every category.

The awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, 28th June 2012 in Central London. The closing date for entry is Friday, 23 March, 2012 and entries can be submitted online at: www.diageoafricabusinessreportingawards.com.

Categories that can be vied for includes Best Information and Communication Technology (ICT) feature, Best Finance feature, Best Infrastructure feature and Best Agribusiness / Environment feature.

The rest are Best Tourism feature, Best Business News story, Best Business feature, Best Newcomer, Media of the Year and Journalist of the Year.