SABC - Highway Africa Awards 2007

Criteria for the Highway Africa Awards for Innovative use of New Media in Africa A unique recognition on the continent, the Highway Africa Awards for the Innovative Use of New Media in Africa, will be held at the conference for the 7th year running (Tuesday 11 September, Rhodes University, South Africa). The awards are given annually at the Highway Africa Conference to recognise and promote the creative, innovative and appropriate use of new media technology in Africa. Judges are looking for innovative applications of New Media in African journalism and the media. Awards are given in three categories: 1) Individual/Student, 2) Non-profit and 3) Corporate. Individual and Non-profit category: Recognition will be given to communications which find innovative ways to overcome the limitations of the existing African infrastructure. Corporate category: Judges will be looking for creative adaptation of global technologies in an African media context. Other broad criteria: (which apply to both categories), is the use of new media to benefit press freedom in Africa and encourage social empowerment in African communities. Ultimately the award aims to highlight innovations that result in African media benefiting from new ideas and developments in communications technology. Technical criteria: The functionality of websites/blogs/wikis is an absolute must. Functionality entails user-friendly content, effective layout and ease of navigation. Interactive features such as comments, email, chat forums, polls, etc and links to other media – radio, print, TV will be considered favourably Aesthetic appeal and an appreciation of the importance design/layout in an online environment is an added advantage. Entrants should demonstrate how they use limited tools creatively Sites must be up-to-date, must contain the most recent relevant information, and show evidence that they are regularly updated. Use of mobile technology in an innovative way is also considered and encouraged   Entries for the 2007 innovative use of new media may be submitted online or via fax. Please read the criteria before completing this form. Entries must be submitted no later than August, 20 2007. You may also attach your motivation and fax your details to +27 46 603 7189. Please mark for attention: Highway Africa New Media Awards. REGRETTABLY SUBMISSIONS SHOULD BE IN ENGLISH ONLY. FROM 2008 ENTRIES WILL BE CONSIDERED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND FRENCH. If you have any queries or problems please email c.kabwato@ru.ac.za, http://highwayafrica.ru.ac.za