600 journalists for CNN Journalists Awards

Accra, May 23, GNA - Some 630 journalists from 40 African countries have sent their entries to participate in the 2005 CNN African Journalists Awards competition to be held on June 25 at the Safari Park Hotel in Kenya.
Mr Edward Boateng, Founder of the CNN African Journalist Awards, in a press statement on Monday said the awards ceremony, which coincided with the celebration of 10 years of excellence, carried more than just prizes.
This is because they signified the passion and desire of the African to compete and do better to tell the African story in an authoritative and world class manner.
"Numerous lives have been touched positively, something the organisers and sponsors found very rewarding. At least, we can claim we have contributed our part to the development of African journalism and our emerging renaissance."
Each year, CNN and other sponsors award African journalists whose work is adjudged the best and he or she is recognised for their contribution towards the growth of the continent.
Mr Boateng said historically, journalism as a result of politics (from slavery to colonization/apartheid and political independence which brought with it corruption, political unrest, tribal wars and repression) has always been a much maligned and hostile profession. "Our commitment to these awards was borne out of the passion to contribute to helping change the status quo, and, create a cadre of journalists who could tell the African story to reflect our reality truthfully and factually.
"A people who can raise the consciousness levels of our leaders and make the general public aware of their rights, obligations and responsibilities. People who will not only be watchdogs but inciters of creative thinking for the creation of wealth and development," he added. Mr Boateng, who is also the Senior Adviser of CNN Africa and the Managing Director of Global Media Alliance, said the organisers and sponsors hoped that through the recognition these awards provided, journalists would be inspired to continue to play a pivotal role in conveying messages of hope through their writings, images and sound bites.