CNN International and Multi Choice this week officially launched the CNN Multi Choice African Journalist 2016 Awards. The competition for African nationals based on the continent welcomes entries from journalists creating content targeting an African audience.

A new category has been added this year, The Maggie Eales Young Journalist Award. This is named in honour of the late Maggie Eales, the CNN executive and former journalist who during her 20 year career at CNN was the driving force behind the development and growth of the African Journalist Awards.

Tony Maddox, executive vice president and managing director of CNN International, said “Africa is an increasingly important part of the global story, and CNN reflects that.  We are committed to the African story, not just editorially, but also in terms of supporting its own journalistic enterprise through the CNN Multi Choice African Journalist Awards.

“I am immensely proud of our long-term commitment to Africa and there is no better example of that than these Awards. We’re particularly proud this year to honour the incredible contribution Maggie Eales made in shaping the Awards into the continent’s finest celebration of its journalism. It’s fitting that young journalists who symbolise the next generation for journalism in Africa now have an award to aspire to.”

Tim Jacobs, CEO Multi Choice Africa, said “The longevity of these Awards is indicative of how these awards continue to play a meaningful role for the advancement of outstanding journalism across the continent. I’m confident that the 2016 instalment of the Awards will continue to unearth extraordinary African talent whose tireless work and search for the truth may otherwise not receive the recognition it deserves.”