Open call: ARIPO intellectual property competition for African journalists

By honouring outstanding journalism, ARIPO and AfrIPI aim to encourage high-quality reportage that shapes positive attitudes towards IP and addresses emerging issues related to IP rights in Africa

This initiative, the first of its kind in Africa, is designed to recognise and reward excellence in journalism that enhances public awareness and understanding of IP rights across the 22 ARIPO member states. Applicants should demonstrate their efforts in raising awareness about IP rights in various media channels. The competition highlights the crucial role of journalists in enlightening the public about the advantages and importance of IP protection. By honouring outstanding journalism, ARIPO and AfrIPI aim to encourage high-quality reportage that shapes positive attitudes towards IP and addresses emerging issues related to IP rights in Africa.

Journalists from the ARIPO member states are encouraged to submit their print, radio, television, and digital media coverage of IP-related topics through a specially designed online portal. A distinguished panel of experts will conduct the judging process, evaluating submissions based on several criteria. These criteria include the ability to simplify complex IP matters for public understanding, effectively exploring the role of IP in everyday life, and establishing connections between IP and current social and business trends.

Terms and conditions

• Entrants for the ARIPO IP Journalists Awards must be citizens from any of the 22 ARIPO member states.
• Must be between 18 to 60 years old at the end of the submission period.
• News/feature entries and entry forms should be submitted in English or any other language spoken in the ARIPO Member States, with an accompanying English translation.
• Coverage submitted in the portfolio of evidence should have been published from January 2023 to August 2024.
• News items published through paid collaborations with AfrIPI or ARIPO are not eligible for participation.

News/features submission criteria

News entries submitted should promote the social and/or economic benefits of intellectual property protection. The news/feature entry should have been published on any print, radio, television or digital media channel. All content related to intellectual property is welcome.

• A minimum of two different news items covering different stories should be provided in the entry portfolio.
• The submitted portfolio items should attempt to unpack IP matters into simplified aspects for ease of understanding.
• Define one or more aspects of IP for the audiences.
• Explore how IP is part of everyday life.
• Provide relatable connections between IP and current social and business trends.
• Storytelling elements: quality of writing or production, story exclusivity, and effort will be considered.

Supporting documents

• Submitted applications should be accompanied by supporting documents, original proofs, audio and TV clips, news links, etc.
• ARIPO reserves the right to disqualify submissions that do not demonstrate proof of publishing.

Application requirements

Applicants must confirm their compliance with the competition rules and agree to the privacy notice, which includes the following requirements:

• News entry should be submitted by their original creators who will ensure they comply with all intellectual property regulations
• Applicants reserve the right to submit more than one entry as long as each entry concerns a separate news piece.
• Any non-compliance with the established rules will result in an application not being eligible.

 Applicants should submit their entries here before 14 September 2024.

Prizes

The winners shall be awarded as follows:

• First prize – $3 000
• First runner up  – $2 000
• Second runner up – $1 000

View the original call here.