JOURNALISTS who have excelled in reporting on regional issues will soon be awarded for their efforts.

The Common Market for East and Southern Africa (Comesa) will award journalists who have positively reported on regional issues and any other journalistic material that contributes to regional integration.

According to a release from Comesa, the best three journalists from print, and electronic media, as well as photo journalists will be awarded with cash prizes at a Heads of State summit due in Zimbabwe in May.

Articles which qualify should be of a minimum of 1000 words and a maximum of 3000 words.

As for electronic media, a broadcast/video footage of not less than 15 minutes and not more than 45 minutes qualifies to enter.

All works entered should have been produced in 2007/2008 up to the time of the summit.

Also individuals who qualify should be from Comesa member states and their woks should be in the Comesa official languages of English and French. It would be the first time such awards are given.

Organisers say the move is meant to appreciate the role the media has played in regional integration and to encourage journalists to cover regional issues.

Also to be rewarded are journalists who have written on the role played by women in regional integration.

Other categories include business, socio-political and ICT journalists of the year.

All journalists are required to submit in their works not later than April 30.

Media houses are called upon to submit in their works in time so that their Journalists are recognized during this lavish ceremony that will be attended by Heads of states and other big players in the Media world.

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