Africa Business Reporting Awards 2009 judges announced

Diageo announced on Tuesday, 17 March the panel of judges for the Africa Business Reporting Awards. The awards, initiated in 2004 by Diageo, awards excellence in journalism and recognises individuals and organisations reporting on business activity in Africa. This year's panelists were drawn from the media, business, government and development sectors.

Judging panel

Dr Shantayanan Devarajan: Chief economist of the World Bank's Africa Division and writer of 'Africa Can', a blog on topical issues relating to the socio-economic development on the continent.
Zeinab Badawi: International news broadcaster and presenter on BBC World News Today, as well as a trustee of the BBC World Service Trust.
Baroness Shriti Vadera: Minister for Business and Competitiveness in the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. A former a Minister in the Department for International Development and a member of the HM Treasury's Council of Economic Advisers.
Stephen King: Investments director at Omidyar Foundation and a former director of the BBC World Service Trust with more than 15 years experience with international development agencies in Asia, Africa and in North America.
Dr Alhaji Bamanga Tukur: Chairman of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Business Group and of BHI Holdings Limited as well as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable.
Commissioner Louis Michel: European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid. Prior to taking up this post, a senior figure in the Belgian government where he held the positions of Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Institutional Reform and Deputy Prime Minister.
Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu: Chairman of Pan-African Capital Holdings (Pty) Ltd and a director of Old Mutual PLC, Kagiso Trust Investment and Virgin Atlantic South Africa. A former CEO of NEPAD.

Tim Sebastian, two-time winner of the Royal Television Society's "Interviewer of the Year" award and former panelist of the Africa Business Reporting Awards, commented: "Diageo's Africa Business Reporting Awards are a major boost to coverage of Africa at a time when much of the continent is defying the sceptics and stereotypes. Encouraging excellence is a real contribution to Africa's development."

The 2009 judging panel will be chaired by Diageo's chief executive, Paul Walsh and will select winners in the following categories:

Best Published Feature
Best Television Feature
Best Radio Feature
Best Published Photograph
Media of the Year and
Journalist of the Year.

The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony on 2 July, 2009 at the Sheraton Park Lane, Piccadilly, London.

Announcing this year's panel, Walsh said, "I am very pleased to be chairing the judging panel for the 2009 awards. Once again, we will be looking for entries that demonstrate excellent research and insight, clear and balanced presentation, journalistic flair and objectivity. I am delighted to be joined by an esteemed group of individuals who know the territory so well - from a business and a media point of view."

For more information, visit www.africabusinessreportingawards.com.