Nominate an Outstanding Journalist for the 2026 ICFJ Knight International Journalism Award
January 13, 2026
The 2026 SADC Media Awards Competition invites journalists from all Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member States to submit outstanding journalism work in four categories: Photojournalism, Print Journalism, Television Journalism, and Radio Journalism.
The awards celebrate excellence in reporting that highlights regional cooperation, integration, and development across Southern Africa.
Winners in each category receive US $2,500, and runners-up receive US $1,000. Entries are evaluated first at the national level through National Media Coordinators (NMCs) and then by a Regional Adjudication Committee. All submissions must be routed through the respective National Adjudication Committees and not directly to the SADC Secretariat.
Submission Guidelines
Eligibility
• Open to journalists from SADC Member States whose work was published or broadcast in the preceding eligibility period.
• Work should promote regional cooperation, integration, development, or shared SADC issues such as economy, infrastructure, water, culture, sports, or agriculture.
Categories and Format Requirements
• Print Journalism: Features/articles (minimum 100 words; maximum 2,000 words).
• Radio Journalism: Broadcast material (1-minute minimum; 30-minute maximum); include transcript in Word format.
• Television Journalism: Broadcast material (1-minute minimum; 45-minute maximum) with transcript in Word format.
• Photojournalism: Published photos with captions; single photo or up to 20 photo spreads with original publication.
• All entries must be submitted to the National Adjudication Committee by the national deadlines; direct submissions to the SADC Secretariat are not accepted.
Key Dates
• Entry Deadline: 29 February 2026 (all entries must reach the National Adjudication Committee by this date).
• The SADC Media Awards cycle culminates with winners announced at relevant SADC events and through official announcements following the adjudication process.
Reference:
SADC Media Awards Competition 2026 for Journalists from Southern Africa (USD 14,000 in prizes)