The awards reward excellence, application of principles of good journalism and relevance in reporting in media. They aim to recognize the contribution of Somali journalists in increasing awareness on development and humanitarian issues in the general public and are awarded to Somali journalists working in the Somali language with the aim of encouraging a strong, vibrant and responsible media for the benefit of the Somali people.

"I am delighted that the Somali Media Awards 2013 are being launched today in Mogadishu, Garowe and Hargeysa," said UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Philippe Lazzarini. "Well-trained and critically-minded journalists provide the crucial information Somali citizens need to campaign for economic development, accountability and transparency."

Applications must be received by 6 November 2013. The winners will be announced and the awards given on Human Rights day, 10 December 2013.

The winning stories will be chosen by a jury which includes senior journalists, representatives of the media and communications experts from the UN. The winners for each category will receive a prize consisting of journalistic equipment and an honorary certificate.

How to enter the competition?

All eligible journalists are invited to submit their stories on one of the following award categories:

• Gender

• Children and youth

• Access to basic services

• Investigative journalism

Submissions must be sent by email to somalimediaawards@gmail.com until 6 November 2013 at midnight (GMT + 3).

General criteria:

• Submissions must be in Somali language; submissions in English will not be accepted.

• The jury will select a winner in each category based on: the relevance and significance of the chosen topic; the quality and originality of the journalistic approach; the accuracy of the investigative work; the effort involved in telling the story(ies); objectivity and impartiality; balance and the potential positive impact of the story(ies). Judges will look favorably at solution-oriented pieces. Submitted works must have been aired on a radio station within Puntland or Southern and Central Somalia, or published in a newspaper or website in Somaliland, between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013.

• Only Somali journalists working in-country are eligible.

Submission Guidelines:

• Entries can be submitted by email to somalimediaawards@gmail.com between 23 October and 6November 2013 by 00.00 GMT+3.

• Submissions must be in the following format:

  • For Puntland or Southern and Central Somalia; submission of radio broadcasts: electronic copy in MP3 or other format compatible with windows media player.

  • For Somaliland; submission of article: text in Word or Pdf format AND a picture/screen print of the article as it was published.

• Each entry must be accompanied by the corresponding Submission Form filled by the journalist and the publisher. By submitting this form, the journalist and publisher agree that the Somali Media Awards is allowed to reproduce and publish the submitted work for purposes related to the Somali Media Awards. The Somali Media Awards does not gain rights to sell any submitted work to third parties.

• If a team was involved in the writings, additional names can be added at the end of the submission form.

Contact Information

Find information here.

UNDP:            Ane Birk-Kamara, Gender Programme Analyst;

Email: ane.birk@undp.org, Cell phone: +254 7 1801 6529

UNFPA:         Fitsum Habtemariam, Communications/Media officer

Email: habtemariam@unfpa.org, Cell phone: +254 733 400 334

NUSOJ:          Mohamed Ibrahim, NUSOJ Secretary-General,

Email: mohamed.ibrahim@nusoj.org.so Cell phone: +252 615 889 930

SOLJA:           Mohamed-Rashid Muhumed, SOLJA Secretary-General,

Email: slsolja@yahoo.com, Cell phone: +252 634000277