FODER Launches First Edition of Forest Media Award
Forest and Rural Development (FODER) an NGO working to foster transparency, governance in forestry and climate change actions and activities in Cameroon, has launched the first edition of Forest Media Award (ForMA) to encourage journalists focusing on environmental investigation and reporting. This information was made public on January 15, 2015, during a media briefing at the Djeuga Palace Hotel in Yaoundé.
By Anu Nkeze Paul
The project aims at recognizing and rewarding journalists who have distinguished themselves through publication, broadcasting, audio-visual and websites information in raising awareness and sensitization of the public on forestry and climate change governance issues. In total seven awards will be offered to different media categories; television, radio, online, blogs and best documentary relating to environment awareness.
In his address to the press men and women, Justin Christophe Kamga, senior project officer with FODER said many journalists put in laudable efforts to investigate and report important environmental issues to sensitize the public on diverse environmental issues but usually go unnoticed.
He said the contest is to bring to the limelight these journalists and expose them and their work to the national and international community as well as compensate them for their efforts. He added that information on forestry and climate change is currently considered very vital today. “The population needs good and reliable information on climate change and forest exploitation governance activities. The public need this information to better understand environmental changes to support global efforts and strategies to protect and conserve the environment for future generations,” Justin Christopher Kamga said.
As concern the modalities for competition, the selection process will begin with journalists sending in their profile information through an online application form found online; www.forest4dev.org .
Aspirers can also contact organizer through 242 005 248. If shortlisted by the jury, they will be expected to forward samples of their work for cross examination by different experts. The best print articles, television and radio documentary will then be selected for the award billed for March 2015. The various laureates will take home cash prizes and other encouraging electronic gadgets to help enhance their working logistics as journalists.
The project is jointly funded by European Union, Friend of the Earth International and other partners.
