For the first time since Covid-19 hit the world the Forum of Community Journalists NPC (FCJ) again hosted its annual awards in person on 14 October in Gauteng.
This year the FCJ gained the support of a new sponsor to host the Avbob FCJ Excellence Awards 2021.
Avbob, through its financial investment in the forum and industry, showed its acknowledgement of the role of community journalists in society and its support of excellent journalism.
Weslander was recognised as runner-up in the category for best front page (corporate-owned paid), while its journalist Noluvu Ludidi took third place in the writing category for human interest.
The newspaper was also among the top eight finalists for best newspaper of the year (corporate-paid: circulation of more than 5 000).
For the second consecutive year two of the top awards were received by the same winners as 2020.
Samantha-Lee Jacobs of People’s Post was again announced as Journalist of the Year and Jarryd Westerdale of Roodepoort Record again received the Alet Roux Award for most promising journalist.
Etienne van Rensburg of Vaalweekblad was announced as the Photographer of the Year and Randburg Sun was the winner in the new category, the Avbob Best Community Involvement Award, for its project entitled Hero of the Month.
Carl van der Riet, Avbob CEO, said: “For us as business the relationship between the media and broader society is critical on many levels, like holding decisionmakers to account, reporting on key societal issues, such as gender-based violence, and in giving marginalised communities a voice on issues that affect them.
“And this is where the role of the media comes in as a critical facilitator and enabler. The sharing of trusted and reliable information allows communities to unite on issues, express their frustrations and differences, identify solutions and challenges and move forward together.”
The FCJ’s loyal sponsors Media24 and Caxton also pledged their support again, which enabled the forum to host a national seminar, with guest speakers Reg Rumney and André Gouws prior to the gala dinner.
Rumney presented his State of the Media report and Gouws addressed community journalists about online journalism. The FCJ commends and thanks the panel of judges and convener Gouws for the phenomenal work in judging this year’s entries.
For the full list of winners visit www.fcjonline.co.za
