Wole Soyinka Centre Opens Entries for 19th Investigative Reporting Award
The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) has announced the opening of submissions for the 19th edition of the Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting (WSAIR).
According to a statement by the WSCIJ team, entries opened on October 4 and will close on October 24, 2024. Professional reporters or teams of reporters—whether full-time or freelance—are invited to submit their investigative stories, provided they are aimed at a Nigerian audience.
“This year’s award is part of the Civic Space Guard Project, which aims to honor and celebrate the bravery of investigative journalists and media organizations in safeguarding the civic space,” the statement highlighted.
First introduced in 2005, the award has consistently recognized journalists who uncover or prevent corruption, human rights abuses, and regulatory lapses in Nigeria’s public and private sectors. Submissions are accepted across a variety of media formats, including print, online, television, radio, photojournalism, and editorial cartoons.
The WSCIJ noted that it will once again utilize its award coding system, introduced in 2012, to ensure fair and unbiased evaluation. Submitted entries will be reviewed by an independent panel of media experts and industry professionals.
The 2024 judging panel will assess entries based on several criteria, including investigative depth, evidence, human rights elements, ethical standards, creativity, public interest, impact, and presentation.
“All interested journalists should carefully review the entry requirements for their respective categories,” the WSCIJ advised.
In 2023, the WSCIJ received 244 entries, but only 99 submissions (29 in print, 45 online, 7 on TV, 2 on radio, 8 photos, and 8 editorial cartoons) progressed to further screening, with 10 finalists emerging.
Since its inception, the award has celebrated 126 finalists, 58 Soyinka Laureates, and 13 Investigative Journalists of the Year. Additionally, it has honored 29 individuals with its Lifetime Award for Journalistic Excellence and Anti-Corruption/Human Rights Defender Awards.
The 19th award ceremony is scheduled to take place in Lagos on Monday, December 9, 2024.
