BACKGROUND
Engaging the media and keeping them informed through robust communication and participation have been given due emphasis as one of the corner stones of IGAD Communication Strategy. Building strategic partnerships with the media is deemed critical to the successful attainment of the IGAD Vision – “A resilient, peaceful, prosperous and integrated region where citizens enjoy high quality of life”. The media in the IGAD member countries, and beyond, play a critical role in raising awareness of the opportunities and benefits of multilateralism and regional approach to address the shared challenges, risks, and threats.
The critical role of media is also recognised by the initiatives from the IGAD Executive Secretary, Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, in terms of establishing a fully-fledged Communication Unit at the regional organisation’s Secretariat and a Spokesperson’s position.
OBJECTIVES
Through the IGAD Media Awards, the regional organisation and partners intend to:
- Recognise and reward excellence in reporting on matters related to peace and security.
- Inspire journalists in the region and beyond to report more on matters surrounding peace in the region;
- Promote accurate reporting and investigative journalism as well as creativity and innovation in presenting information about peace, and security; and
- Encourage media practitioners to involve centres of excellence in science, technology and innovation from inside and outside the region to shed light on persistent and frequent peace and associated security concerns in the region.
GOAL
The IGAD Media Awards 2024 is meant to promote increased, factual and accurate reporting on peace and security in particular, while the Media Awards initiative as a whole is destined to foster relations with media, promote journalism in the region and increase visibility of IGAD broadly.
Frequency of the Event
The IGAD Media Awards is an annual occurrence held once every year, starting from 2023.
