Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards

The Wikimedia Foundation has launched the inaugural Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards, to celebrate the contributions of journalists in Africa who prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion in their reporting.

The awards recognize the essential role journalists play in creating well-researched articles that volunteer editors can use as source materials to develop content on Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects. Their work helps to grow the knowledge base on one of the world’s most visited websites so that it is more reflective of the topics, events and people that influence the understanding of culture and history through the ages.

African journalists living on the continent are invited to self-nominate articles they have written that help expand knowledge about Africa.

Read up on the award criteria and categories below before submitting your work on our dedicated page.

Submit your work here.

Award criteria

• Geography: Journalists must be citizens of a country in Africa, and primarily reside on the African continent.
• Relevance: Articles should be about the African continent and relate to the award categories (listed below).
• Publishing date: Articles should have been published between January 1, 2022, to June 23, 2023.
• Language: Articles should be published in English.
• Originality: The articles should be your own original work, with in-depth analysis and/or investigative reporting.
• Proof of publication: Submissions will be easier to review if you supply proof of the article’s publication in the form of a link/URL.
• Reliability and accuracy: Articles that are submitted must be accurate and well researched, without seeking to misinform or misrepresent facts. Objective, well researched articles ensure that the information on Wikipedia is accurate.
• Ethical conduct: Because the Wikimedia Foundation respects human rights, we are looking for articles that are developed with the utmost respect for people. We seek journalists who demonstrate ethical conduct and adherence to journalistic standards.
• Accessibility: Wikimedia Foundation promotes access to free knowledge. Because of this, articles must be made available for viewing without a paywall.
• You can submit as many articles as you would like to be considered for this recognition. However, you cannot submit the same article in more than one category. You have to decide which category best represents the contents of the article.
• There are no fees associated with this nomination process.
• Wikimedia Foundation staff are not eligible to nominate their own work.
• The Wikimedia Foundation (in collaboration with volunteer Wikimedia editors), through its discretion, will use these nominations to help identify journalists for this recognition.

What we are offering award recipients

• First-place award recipient: will receive USD 2000, a trophy, a certificate of recognition and an opportunity to join Wikimedians at the African Regional Community Conference, Wiki Indaba, in November 2023. While there, the award recipient will have the opportunity to share more about their experiences as a journalist and some of the challenges and opportunities they see in their work.
• Second-place award-recipient: will receive USD 1500, and a certificate of recognition.
• Special Mentions: will be given by the Wikimedia Foundation to an additional four nominees, one in each category.
• All awardees (including those receiving special mentions) and their work will be celebrated on the Wikimedia Foundation’s website and social media channels.

Categories

Africa journalists living on the continent can self-nominate articles they have written under the following categories that have been chosen with the help of Wikimedia contributors in Africa.

• Arts, Culture, Heritage, and Sports
• Health, Climate Change, and Environment
• Women and Youth
• Digital and Human Rights.

Key dates

• Submissions open: May 3, 2023, 00:00 UTC
• Submissions close: June 30, 2023, 23:59 UTC
• Awardees announced: November (3–5) at the Africa Regional Community Conference Wiki Indaba.

Learn more here about the award from The Wikimedia Foundation.