IFAJ Award For Broadcast Journalism
I’m really glad to see the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists move forward with a new “broadcast” award program that includes both terrestrial radio and tv broadcasts as well as web broadcasts. That’s being progressive! Interestingly, the only U.S. members of IFAJ are members of AAEA which has traditionally had a membership of publication editors. However, that’s changing. I’m a member of AAEA for example.
This move makes the idea pop up in my mind again of “Why don’t NAFB/AAEA/LCP/Etc. just merge? Aren’t they all in the same business? Would this make sense? Then they all could be members of IFAJ. Let’s face it. We all talk about being in a “global marketplace.” Why not collaborate with our peers internationally? What do you think of this idea? Note how IFAJ refers to the award as broadcast journalism instead of farm broadcasting.
I just agreed to be a judge for the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists for their 2010 Australian Star Prize for Rural Broadcasting. Winners from their contest will be submitted as their country entries for the IFAJ awards.
The IFAJ has expanded its prestigious Star Prize award program for excellence in agricultural journalism and photography, with a new award for broadcast journalism. The award has categories for radio, television and online broadcasting. The deadline for the competitions is earlier this year to so winners can be selected in time for the early annual congress. Entries close February 1, 2010. For more information go to www.ifaj.org.
So, since only AAEA members can enter you’ve got very little time to get your entries in. You must first be selected by AAEA in order to be submitted to IFAJ. Contact the AAEA office for more details. The deadline for AAEA entries is January 15. Here are the categories:
The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Star Prize for Broadcast Journalism recognizes the best radio, television and internet broadcasting among federation member countries.
Categories
- Television – for the best piece produced primarily for broadcast on television.
- Radio – for the best piece produced primarily for broadcast on radio.
- Online radio (podcasts) – for the best audio piece produced primarily for broadcast via the internet.
- Online video – for the best audio visual piece produced primarily for broadcast via the internet.
It's time to thank our farmers and ranchers for all their hard work to feed us.
2 Comments
Hugh Whaley
Has NAFB been approached to join IFAJ?
Chuck
Unfortunately the current IFAJ rules (by-laws?) only allow one farm journalism guild per country. I know they’ve been discussing changing this and I believe they could create an exception if they wanted to.
I have spoken with the leadership of both groups and AAEA about this and encouraged them to “get together.” I’ve written letters to them on the subject as well. Cindy and I firmly believe NAFB members and the organization would benefit from being part of IFAJ. IFAJ is an inclusive membership unlike NAFB or AAEA. IFAJ members are publication editors as well as broadcasters and web editors, photographers, etc. It all depends on how the country member organization defines their member requirements.
Unfortunately, like with efforts to bring NAFB into the Ag Media Summit, there are people on all sides who just don’t want to change. I’m not sure that this can ever be accomplished although I sure wish it could.
Comments RSS feed —