IGAD Media Awards
As the Horn of Africa grapples with overlapping crises—from climate volatility and migration surges to conflict and governance struggles—media practitioners remain at the frontline of shaping public understanding.
Now, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is calling on experienced media professionals, editors, and communication experts to step forward as jurors for the 2025 edition of its annual Media Awards.
The deadline to apply is 10 July 2025, and applications are being received via the official website: https://mediaawards.igad.int/2025juryapplicationform/
Recognising Journalistic Excellence Across IGAD States
The IGAD Media Awards were created to promote and recognize ethical and professional journalism across the eight IGAD member states: Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda.
The awards serve several goals, including:
- Supporting accurate and constructive media coverage of IGAD’s regional initiatives
- Encouraging public interest reporting on topics such as peace, security, climate resilience, migration, and development
- Recognizing journalists and content creators whose work contributes to regional integration and dialogue
The program is part of IGAD’s broader efforts to strengthen institutional communication and enhance engagement between the organization and the public through the media.
Call for Jury Members
To ensure transparency and integrity in the selection of award winners, IGAD has invited individuals to apply to serve as jury members for the 2025 awards cycle.
Jurors will be responsible for reviewing submissions from across the region and helping to identify outstanding work in various media categories.
While the website does not list specific eligibility criteria, the application form requests:
- Basic personal information
- A short motivation statement
- An uploaded CV
- Country and contact details
There is no fee to apply. Selected applicants will be contacted directly by IGAD.
Those appointed to the jury will participate in reviewing entries that highlight impactful reporting and storytelling within the region.
Award Categories
The IGAD Media Awards cover a broad range of content formats, reflecting the diversity of media in the region. According to the official “About Us” section of the IGAD Media Awards site, the categories include:
- Print journalism
- Radio reporting
- Television reporting
- Digital media
- Photography
- Indigenous or national language reporting
- Gender-responsive media
- Influencer of the Year
- Upcoming Media Personality
- Lifetime Achievement Award
This mix allows for recognition of both traditional forms of journalism and emerging content styles, including the growing role of influencers and digital creators in shaping public discourse.
A Regional Platform for Storytelling
The IGAD Media Awards are more than a recognition event.
They serve as a platform to elevate stories that matter to the region’s people—stories about resilience, innovation, climate adaptation, regional trade, and conflict transformation.
Past editions have featured entries that covered underreported issues and offered insight into local responses to IGAD-wide challenges.
IGAD sees media not only as a tool for communication but as a driver of integration and accountability.
By supporting journalists and content creators who capture the lived realities of the region, the awards contribute to building a more connected and informed citizenry.
Supporting Ethical Media
As the IGAD region faces a rapidly changing political, environmental, and social landscape, the role of ethical journalism becomes increasingly important.
By inviting jury members through an open process, IGAD is reinforcing its commitment to accountability, fairness, and regional ownership of media development.
The call for jurors is not only about selecting the best stories of the year—it is about shaping how the region is seen, heard, and remembered.
For questions or technical issues, the Secretariat can be reached at mediaawards@igad.int.
