Editors' Forum of Namibia Journalism Awards

The Editors' Forum of Namibia Journalism Awards are journalism awards in Namibia organised by the Editors' Forum of Namibia (EFN). The current awards were launched in 2019, eight years after the previous national media awards were last held.[1] The awards recognise work across areas including investigative journalism, business, public affairs, health, environmental journalism, sport and visual journalism.[2]

History

The Editors' Forum of Namibia announced the return of national journalism awards in July 2019. The previous awards had been organised under the Media Institute of Southern Africa and were last held in 2010.[3] The first EFN awards included ten categories. Nomhle Kangootui was named Journalist of the Year.[4]

The next ceremony was held in 2021. More than 130 entries were submitted by over 40 entrants. Sonja Smith received the Journalist of the Year award.[5][6] The awards received 169 entries from 59 journalists in 2023. President Hage Geingob attended the ceremony.[7]Sonja Smith, Margaret Courtney-Clarke and Freddie Clayton shared the Journalist of the 2024 Year award.[8]

Prize money controversy

The Namibian reported that several winners from the 2024 awards had received less prize money than stated in the official competition entry forms. Three journalists said they had received less than half of the advertised amount.[9] The Editors' Forum later said the payments had been reduced because of financial constraints and a lack of sponsorship.[10]

Changes to the awards

The Editors' Forum announced changes to the timing of the awards in 2025, saying future ceremonies would be aligned more closely with World Press Freedom Day.[11] The First National Bank Namibia in 2026 provided N$250,000 in sponsorship for the awards. It was announced only journalists working for EFN member media organisations would be eligible to enter.[12][13]

References

  1. ↑ Sun, Namibian; Smith, Jana-Mari (2019-08-01). "Journalism awards revived". Namibian Sun. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  2. ↑ "Editor's Forum to honour local journalists – entries now open | Namibia Economist". Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  3. ↑ Namibian, The (2018-11-14). "Media awards to be revived in 2019". The Namibian. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  4. ↑ "SPI's alumnus scoops journalism awards". www.ru.ac.za. 2014-03-06. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  5. ↑ Shikongo, Arlana (2021-05-03). "'The Namibian' wins big at journalism awards". The Namibian. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  6. ↑ "Sonja Smith". Pulitzer Center. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  7. ↑ "Lazarus Amukeshe scoops Journalist of the Year award | nbc". www.nbcnews.na. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  8. ↑ Tafirenyika, Tracy (2024-11-18). "The Namibian journalists shine at media awards". The Namibian. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  9. ↑ Nakashole, Puyeipawa (2025-01-09). "Journalists shortchanged: Editors' Forum of Namibia fails to deliver full award prize money". The Namibian. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  10. ↑ Nakashole, Puyeipawa (2025-01-13). "Editors' forum blames financial woes for not paying journalists' full prize money". The Namibian. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  11. ↑ Sun, Namibian; Reporter, Staff (2025-10-22). "EFN Journalism Awards moved to May 2026". Namibian Sun. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  12. ↑ Sipunga, Isai (2026-04-09). "Editors' forum shuts door on non-members … FNB pumps N$250 000 into journalism awards". New Era. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  13. ↑ Nuus, Republikein-Jou Land, Jou Taal, Jou; Josef, Phillipus (2026-04-10). "Joernaliste kan groot pryse inpalm". Republikein (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 2026-08-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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