Exceptional Reporting on Children’s Rights Honored at Media Awards

On September 15th, 2023, Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) was among media practitioners and stakeholders in the media industry that attended the 2023 Platinum and Golden Media awards organized and hosted by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia in Lusaka to recognize and reward journalists that had excelled in their work over the past year prior to the awards ceremony.
Among the highlights of the awards ceremony was the presentation of two Panos sponsored prestigious awards in reporting children’s rights.
The first accolade went to Dorothy Chisi of the Times of Zambia – TOZ for the “Best Reporting on Child Rights Governance in Print”. Her article spotlighted the educational rights and needs of juvenile offenders, emphasizing the need for reforms in the education system targeted at the juveniles in reformatories.

The second award was presented to Sera Tamina of Radio Icengelo for the “Best Reporting on Child Rights Governance in Electronic Media.” Her report drew attention to the challenges faced by children in the streets in Kitwe and the nation at large, and the efforts being made by authorities to address their plight and improve their welfare.

The sponsorship of the awards is part of the efforts by the National Child Rights Forum (NCRF) through Panos to work with media to advance children’s rights by giving a voice to the children on matters that affect and require urgent attention by leaders and society, and advocating for improved investment in children, child participation in decision-making and child protection under the SIDA CSO 2022-2026 Programme. The Programme is supported by the Swedish government through Save the Children International.

Panos congratulates these incredible journalists for their dedication to children’s rights, and also calls for continued support and promotion of responsible journalism that champions the rights and well-being of our young citizens as they are the future of the country.