KIKWETE

FROM STANSLOUS NGOSA IN DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA-
TANZANIA President Jakaya Kikwete has said the freedom of the Press has slightly improved in Africa although a lot needs to be done by enacting relevant laws.
Dr Kikwete said the improvement could be measured by the level of democracy demonstrated by many African countries.
He said this on Saturday when he officiated at this CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2014 awards ceremony.
Dr Kikwete, who explained how Press freedom had improved in his country, said freedom of the Press was a measure of democracy, good governance and promoted human rights.
“Freedom of the Press has slight improved but more needs to be done by enacting relevant such as the Freedom of Information Bill,” Dr Kikwete said.
He however challenged African Journalists to uphold professionalism.
Dr Kikwete commended CNN and MultiChoice for the initiative of the award ceremony because it acted as an incentive to the media profession.
Journalists should highlight issues affecting the continent so that correct decisions could be made to address them.
Kenyan journalist Joseph Mathenge scooped the top the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist of the year prize.
Mr Mathenge was awarded the overall CNN MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year’ Award for his work ‘Images of Terror,’ which appeared in Kenyan daily newspaper The Standard which was chosen from entries spanning 38 nations across the African continent.
The work documents the moments of terror experienced by Westgate Mall shoppers in Kenya, when the mall was attacked by unidentified gunmen in September 2013.
“It’s a great honor, and I’m humbled to receive this award. All finalists who are here deserve this award. I hope it will motivate men, women and children of good will all over the world to fight terrorism. Memories fade with time, but pictures don’t. We felt it necessary to capture each and every moment so that generations to come may see the horror.” Mr Mathenge said.
Mr Mathenge, winner in the Mohamed Amin Photography category, was among 28 finalists from 10 countries who attended the awards ceremony as the culmination of a four day programme of workshops, media forums, networking, and sightseeing.
MultiChoice Africa chief executive officer Nico Meyer, who congratulated, the 2014 winners said the pay television company was proud to recognise journalism excellence by rewarding the winners for telling stories that would have otherwise remained untold.
“We believe the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards has had a profound effect on the African media landscape and as MultiChoice Africa we remain committed to recognising excellence in Journalism throughout Africa. We applaud all the nominees and winners for contributing to Africa’s growth and success,” he said.
The overall CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2014 wins a cash prize, and a visit to CNN Centre in Atlanta to attend a three-week CNN Journalism Fellowship. All finalists receive a cash prize, an iPad Air, with runner-ups receiving an iPad mini.