North West University Journalism
NWU supports excellence in journalism
This year, the North-West University (NWU) sponsored the National Press Club – North-West University’s Journalist of the Year awards for the fourth consecutive year, as well as the award for the Editor of the Year.
These awards were made on Friday 12 April 2013 during the Newsmaker of the Year for 2012 prestige function, sponsored by the National Press Club and AON South Africa.
The Newsmaker of the Year 2012 award was made to the plight of the rhino, in recognition of the efforts of ordinary people, the courts, government, SANParks and other conservation bodies and law enforcement agencies trying to stop rhino poaching.
The overall winner of the National Press Club – North-West University’s Journalist of the Year award was Mr Cornel van Heerden of Foto24, and Ms Katy Katopodis from Eyewitness News was announced the Editor of the Year.
According to Ms Antoinette Slabbert, chairperson of the National Press Club, the purpose of the Newsmaker of the Year awards is to make newsmakers accessible to members of the media. “To this end, we will remain open-minded, driven by democracy and will never forfeit our right to communicate and debate – fiercely if necessary – but always in the spirit of listening.”
“We salute this endeavour of the National Press Club to raise the bar when it comes to journalism standards. Freedom of the media is one of the cornerstones of a democracy. If the sponsorship of the National Press Club – North-West University’s Journalist of the Year award can assist in further improving the quality of journalism in our country, it will have served its purpose,” says Dr Theuns Eloff, Vice-Chancellor of the NWU.
The category winners of the Journalist of the Year awards are as follow:
Print media – news: Poloko Tau – The Star
Print media – features: Mia Malan – Mail & Guardian
Print media – photography: Cornel van Heerden – Foto24
Electronic media – radio news: Gia Nicolaides – Eyewitness News
Electronic media – radio features: Mia Malan and Darren Taylor
Electronic media – TV news: Daniella du Plooy – E-Nuus
Electronic media – TV features: Amalia Christoforou – Carte Blanche
Electronic media – cameraperson: Thuthuka Zondi of etv
Dr Theuns Eloff, Vice-Chancellor of the NWU (right) poses with the overall winner of the National Press Club – North-West University’s Journalist of the Year award, Mr Cornel van Heerden from Foto24.
Click here to read Dr Theuns Eloff, Vice-Chancellor of the NWU’s speech during this gala event.