Standard Media Group journalist bags prestigious David Astor Journalism Awards

By Standard Reporter

NAIROBI, KENYA: Standard Media Group Journalist Paul Wafula has been named the winner of 2014 David Astor journalism Awards edging out a crowded field of rivals to clinch the prestigious award.

Paul Wafula, an investigative journalist with the Standard Newspapers was one of three other winners, one from Tanzanian and Ugandan, to be picked in Africa.

The three were selected after a rigorous six-month review and assessment from a pool of more than 36 locally nominated candidates from across the region.

“The winners, all exceptionally promising early-career journalists, were chosen for their evident talent, integrity, and long-term commitment to African journalism, and for displaying the requisite qualities to excel in the profession,” read a statement from the David Astor Journalism Awards Trust.

They now join 14 previous David Astor Award winners as career-long members of an expanding regional network of next-generation leading journalists in East Africa, supported by The David Astor Journalism Awards Trust.

“In their relatively short careers, these three very impressive young journalists have already distinguished themselves with considerable ability, determination and skill,” said Jim Meyer, the Trust’s Executive Director. “As we help them further develop their capacities, they will surely make outstanding contributions to first-rate journalism in the region in future.”

Aside from a nominal cash award of $500 each, the winners will in the course of the year take part in professional development programmes involving work experience attachments with newspapers in the UK and South Africa for a total of three months.