Ouagadougou – Journalists Amandine Lalsaga from RTB and Amadou Zeba from Faso7 were recognized at the 7th Pax Sahel Awards, an event celebrating excellence in conflict-sensitive journalism. The awards ceremony, organized by the Journalists’ Initiative Network (RIJ), took place in Ouagadougou.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Pax Sahel Prize for Conflict-Sensitive Journalism (JsC) acknowledges journalists who contribute to peaceful coexistence and professional reporting on conflict-related topics. The 7th edition of the RIJ Pax Sahel Prize saw 37 journalistic works from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger vying for recognition. A panel of three judges evaluated the entries based on predefined rules and criteria.
This year, two special prizes were awarded by the Network of Journalists. Idrissa Diallo from Mali won the special Koffi-AMETEPE prize, named after the late founder of the RIJ, for his work titled “Finally, she speaks.” Diallo received 250 thousand FCFA, a trophy, and a certificate. The G5 Sahel Prize was awarded to Nigerien journalist Moustapha Maï Nara from Radio Garagoua for his work on agricultural and livestock breeders’ conflicts in Gannia, earning similar rewards as Diallo.
In the official categories, Amandine Lalsaga from Burkina Faso’s national television won the MOJO television category with a score of 15/20, receiving 500 thousand FCFA, a certificate, and a trophy for her work on internally displaced women. Journalists Amadou Zeba from Faso7 and Omar Issa Atié from Savane media were honored in the written/online press and radio categories, respectively, receiving the same rewards for their contributions.
Jean Karem Kaboré, the coordinator of the RIJ, emphasized the crucial role of journalists in promoting peace, social cohesion, and development, especially in the Sahel region’s current context of insecurity and terrorism. He encouraged media professionals to be agents of peace and called for support to strengthen ties among Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger in practicing conflict-sensitive journalism.
Pascal Yemboini Thombiano, representing the Minister of Communication, highlighted the significance of the Pax Sahel prize in media development across Burkina, Mali, and Niger. He pointed out the pivotal role of media in conflict or crisis situations and its impact on promoting harmonious coexistence or exacerbating conflicts.
Established in 2001, the RIJ’s mission is to train journalists for better handling of information related to conflicts, underscoring the media’s influential role in times of strife.