A commitment to quality community journalism earned The African Reporter a top 10 finalist spot in the Newspaper of the Year (sold) category at the AVBOB FCJ Excellence Awards.

The awards, hosted by the Forum of Community Journalists NPC (FCJ) and sponsored by AVBOB, is a well-known event in the media industry.

“Being a top 10 finalist in such a prestigious competition is a tremendous honour. It takes a dedicated team of journalists who bring their knowledge, passion and love for their communities to the table every day,” said African Reporter editor Thelma Koorts.

“Thank you to AVBOB and the FCJ for giving local newspapers and journalists the opportunity to showcase their work and the important role they play in their communities.”

The competition received over 600 entries this year, with participants showcasing exemplary work across 17 categories. The adjudication process was overseen by Dr André Gouws from Akademia.

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“This year’s competition reflects a healthy and evolving community newspaper sector. The judging panel congratulates all entrants and hopes that the feedback they will receive will encourage even greater excellence in the years ahead,” said Gouws.

Through AVBOB’s financial investment in the FCJ and the community media industry, along with ongoing support from Caxton, Novus Community Media and the competition’s new partner, Stellenbosch University, the FCJ was able to further enrich its offering and support to community journalists.

“Strong communities are built on accountability, trust and access to reliable information. They depend on you to remain informed about issues that affect their daily lives and on having their voices represented in public conversations,” said Eugene Strauss, AVBOB CEO.

“At AVBOB, our covenant with society is rooted in a simple belief: institutions should not only serve society, but they should also help strengthen it. The same principle guides our support for community journalism.”

Winners were announced at a gala prize-giving dinner at The Capital Menlyn Maine in Pretoria on August 21. The FCJ also hosted its national seminar prior to the gala dinner.

The seminar focused on the community journalist’s role in the upcoming municipal elections, with industry leaders and experts sharing their knowledge with attendees.

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