Award Excellence.

The conference will culminate with the third edition of the AGJK Community Journalism Awards 2024, a Gala Event with the aims to honor and celebrate the dedication and impact of community journalists. These awards recognize the outstanding contributions of journalists who are committed to serving their local
communities through insightful reporting, meaningful storytelling, and advocacy for positive change. By shining a spotlight on their work, the awards seek to inspire excellence in community journalism and highlight its vital role in fostering informed, engaged, and empowered communities.

Categories

  • Health Reporting
  • Investigative Reporting
  • Enviroment and Climate Change Reporting
  • Governance and Advocacy
  • Technology Innovations and Business Reporting
  • Gender Reporting
  • Sports and Culture Reporting
  • Humanitarian Reporting
  • Children Reporting

AREAS OF FOCUS

The Community Media Conference shall focus on highlighting how community media stations can be involved in maintaining financial stability, fostering community
engagement, forming partnerships, embracing digital platforms, providing training, managing finances effectively, adapting to change, and advocating for support to ensure their long-term existence and effectiveness.

The Community Media Conference will also look into how equality can be enhanced in newsrooms especially through actively promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through diverse hiring practices, inclusive leadership, diverse storytelling, audience
engagement, partnerships, transparency, and continuous evaluation to create an
environment where all voices are heard and valued.

Technology and digitization are transforming community media by providing new opportunities for engagement, distribution, and content creation. The conference will also look into how community media outlets can leverage on
digital tools and platforms to reach wider audiences, foster community participation, and adapt to changing media consumption habits. From social media and online streaming to mobile apps and user-generated content, technology is enabling
community media to innovate and thrive in the digital age.

Community media outlets play a crucial role in combating misinformation and
disinformation by promoting accurate and reliable information within their local communities.
The conference will look into issues such as fact-checking initiatives, media literacy programs, collaborations with trusted sources, and ethical reporting practices. By equipping community media practitioners with the tools and knowledge to identify, counter, and prevent misinformation and disinformation, the conference aims to safeguard the integrity of local news and empower communities to make informed
decisions.

Absolutely, press and media freedom are critical topics for discussion at any community media conference. Here’s a short explainer on why it’s important. During the Community Media Conference, exploring press and media freedom can involve examining challenges faced by journalists and media outlets, advocating for legal protections for freedom of expression, discussing strategies to counter censorship and intimidation, and highlighting the importance of independent and pluralistic media in fostering democratic societies.

The theme “Inclusive Communities – Leaving No One Behind” at the community
media conference underscores the importance of ensuring that all voices are heard and
represented in the media. This includes marginalized and underrepresented groups
such as minorities, people with disabilities and others.
The conference shall have a deep focus on strategies for promoting diversity and inclusion in media content, fostering equitable access to media platforms and
resources, and empowering marginalized communities to participate in media
production and decision-making processes. By addressing these issues, the conference aims to strengthen community media’s role as a catalyst for social inclusion and empowerment, ensuring that no one is left behind in the information landscape.

Strategic Partnerships will be a key topic at the community media conference, highlighting the importance of collaborating with other organizations and
stakeholders to amplify impact and reach. Discussions will focus on identifying potential partners, establishing mutually beneficial relationships, and leveraging
collective resources to address common goals. By fostering strategic partnerships,
community media outlets can enhance their capacity, expand their reach, and better
serve their communities.

“The Role of Community Journalism in Driving Positive Change” will be a focal point at the Community Media Conference, emphasizing how local news outlets can
catalyze social progress. Discussions will explore how community journalism
promotes civic engagement, informs residents about local issues, and empowers
communities to address challenges collaboratively. Through impactful storytelling,
investigative reporting, and grassroots advocacy, community media plays a vital role
in shaping public discourse and fostering inclusive, resilient communities.

Key Objectives

Raise Awareness

The conference aims to increase awareness and understanding of the impact of community media. By highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in the industry, we seek to inspire attendees to take action and drive positive change.

Share Best Practices

The conference will provide a platform for industry experts and leaders to share their experiences, success stories, and best practices in community media. Attendees will gain valuable insights and practical strategies to implement in their own newsrooms.

Foster Collaboration

Collaboration is essential for driving meaningful change. The conference will facilitate networking opportunities and foster collaboration among professionals from various sectors of the media industry. By bringing together diverse perspectives, we aim to encourage collaboration and collective action towards a professional community media space.

Promote Innovation

Innovation plays a crucial role in advancing sustainability in media. The conference will showcase innovative approaches, technologies, and initiatives that are making a positive impact. Attendees will gain inspiration and new ideas to integrate sustainability into their own work.

Address Challenges

The conference will provide a platform for discussing the challenges and barriers faced by the industry. Through panel discussions, fireside chats, and interactive sessions, we aim to identify solutions and strategies to overcome these challenges.

Empower Professionals

The conference seeks to empower media professionals by equipping them with the knowledge, tools, and resources to incorporate sustainability into their work. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from industry experts and gain practical skills that can drive sustainability within their organizations.

Awards Gallery

THE AGJK COMMUNITY JOURNALISM AWARDS 2022 REPORT Final