Entries called for the 9th edition of Arab Journalism Award

The 9th edition of the award program also coincides with the introduction of the recently announced new structure, which saw the removal of some categories, addition of a few others and significant amendments to the existing categories, including the absorption of online journalism and a special award for young journalists.

Maryam Bin Fahad, Executive Director, Dubai Press Club, hoped the rate of participation would go up substantially in view of the recent changes to the award program. "We are now focusing special attention on the youth through the introduction of a new category. Online publications are now entitled to participation in all categories. The new structure encompasses a much wider range of journalistic work. Since organizations are also now welcome to nominate their staff members now, the modus operandi of the program has turned far more inclusive," she stressed.

The General Secretariat is now in the process of finalizing the judging committees, which would comprise 60 judges, with five to six assigned for each category. The judges are selected anew for each edition and their names will remain confidential until the announcement of the awards.

Bin Fahad has called upon all the Arabic - language media in the region and the journalists working therein to spread the word about the award and help in maximizing participation. "They will get all the information about the new structure from our website and can download the entry forms from it. We are also planning to visit a number of Arab countries in the next few weeks to encourage participation and explain the new structure," she disclosed.

Even as the categories of Journalism for Children, Health Journalism, Environmental Journalism and IT Journalism did not figure in the new structure, they have all been included under a new umbrella category called "Specialized Journalism," which is meant to encourage in-depth and erudite, yet lucid and simplified treatment of specialized subjects in all areas, be they the physical sciences, the environment, health or any other topic that the general public should develop an understanding of.

The new category for young journalists have been included with a view to not only recognize the up and coming young talent in the region's media, but also to encourage more youngsters to take up journalism as a profession.

Since the inception of the award, the rate of participation in the award grew by a whopping 300%, with the number of participants rising to 3113 from 19 countries in the previous edition.