The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has announced significant changes to the 2025 Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA), with a focus on recognising quality journalism across all platforms.
Speaking during the launch of the AJEA 2025 categories in Nairobi on Tuesday, MCK CEO David Omwoyo highlighted the Council's commitment to rewarding excellence in storytelling irrespective of the medium.
"Good journalism transcends platforms. This year, we are awarding quality, be it on TV, radio, print or digital and there will be only one winner per category,” he said.
“These changes aim to celebrate impactful storytelling while setting higher standards for Kenya's media industry.”
Omwoyo announced new thematic special categories designed to inspire journalists to cover emerging and critical issues.
These include the Tourism Reporting Award, the National Cohesion/Developing Story Award and the Animal Welfare Award.
"These special categories are a reflection of the evolving nature of journalism and the need to capture the most pressing issues of our time," he said.
Omwoyo called for a broader conversation around the media's role in driving narratives that foster national cohesion and patriotism, urging journalists to approach stories with sensitivity and balance.
The MCK CEO stressed the critical role of editors and sub-editors in the awards, saying they contribute to maintaining editorial standards.
He urged editors and sub-editors to set the tone for stories, adhere to the code of ethics and ensure context is well-articulated.
Omwoyo commended journalists for their resilience amidst challenges posed by the digital transition and economic constraints and reaffirmed the media's critical role in serving the citizenry.
The Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA) is a signature event of the Media Council of Kenya that recognises and celebrates excellence and professionalism in the media industry in Kenya.
The awards are usually the peak of celebrations to commemorate World Press Freedom Day marked globally on May 3.
For the awards this year, Omwoyo has invited accredited journalists in Kenya to submit their work, published or broadcasted between February 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025.
All entries should be submitted online through https://ajea.mediacouncil.or.ke by midnight on February 28, 2025.
Omwoyo said the winning entries will be recognised and awarded at the AJEA gala as the finale of the Annual Media Summit.
The prizes include cash, trophies, certificates and training scholarships.
The AJEA entries may be submitted for print, broadcast and digital format in English, Kiswahili or any vernacular language is spoken in Kenya.
The entry categories include Governance and Development Reporting, Gender and Inclusivity Reporting, Illustrator of the Year, Best Radio Production, Best Television Production, Press Freedom, health and medical reporting, sports reporting and agriculture and food security.
Others are Podcast of the Year, Videographer of the Year, Photojournalist of the Year, Digital Economy and Innovation Reporting, Financial and Business Reporting, Best Investigative Story, and Environment Restoration and Climate Change Reporting.
The special categories are the Tourism Reporting Award, National Cohesion/Developing Story Reporting, and Animal Welfare Reporting.
