New category in 2014 CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards

GE Africa CEO, Jay Ireland, says sponsorship of the Energy & Infrastructure category aligns with GE's strategic objectives on the continent. He says GE was pleased to be part of efforts to highlight Africa's energy and infrastructure challenges and the laudable efforts to address them. According to Ireland, it is important to celebrate journalists on the continent whose respective articles and coverage help to highlight opportunities, challenges and solutions to Africa's energy and infrastructure deficit.

"As a global energy and infrastructure leader, we feel a sense of duty to recognise the all-important role that journalists play in highlighting the issues that affect everyday life on the continent. Energy and infrastructure are pivotal for Africa's growth and those who write about it must be celebrated," says Ireland.

Impact on the continent

Tony Maddox, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of CNN International, says: "Since the very beginning, these Awards have discovered and rewarded superlative African journalism across the continent. With even more of Africa's storytellers now able to share their work with us, we expect even more outstanding entries.

On his part, Nico Meyer, CEO MultiChoice Africa, says: "We continue to be amazed and honoured by the phenomenal impact that this initiative has had on the continent. It certainly has been a game changer for the advancement of media development and quality journalism, showcasing top-class journalists who can compete heads and shoulders with their peers on the world stage. This year promises to once again highlight Africa's best journalistic talent."

The competition is open to African nationals based on the continent. Finalists in the 2014 competition will participate in a finalists' programme that will include a media forum and networking opportunities with senior journalists, editors, business leaders and media owners from across the continent, culminating in a gala awards ceremony later in the year.

The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2014 will have the opportunity to participate in the CNN Journalism Fellowship at CNN Headquarters in Atlanta. Entries are welcomed from journalists creating content targeting an African audience. Entries for this year's competition will close on 30 May.

For more, go to www.cnnmcaja.cnn.com.