The Thirty First Session of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Media Awards Regional Adjudication Committee has officially opened in Johannesburg, South Africa, marking a key stage in the evaluation of 2026 entries. The session brings together adjudicators from 13 SADC Member States who are tasked with reviewing submissions across multiple journalism categories. The opening ceremony highlighted the growing importance of credible journalism in shaping regional understanding and development. It also reinforced the role of the media in strengthening democratic accountability across Southern Africa. The event sets the tone for a rigorous assessment process focused on fairness, professionalism and transparency.
Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Government Communication and Information System, Kenny Morolong, delivered the keynote address on behalf of the Host Government and the SADC Chair. He emphasized the need for high standards of professionalism in public interest reporting across the region. His message focused on the responsibility of journalists to protect the integrity of regional discourse through accurate and balanced reporting. He stressed that ethical journalism remains essential for maintaining trust between the media and the public. The address positioned journalism as a key pillar in supporting regional development and integration.
Morolong further urged journalists across Southern Africa to ensure that their reporting is balanced, accurate and grounded in ethical practice. He noted that responsible journalism strengthens accountability and enhances public confidence in both media institutions and governance structures. He added that misinformation or biased reporting can weaken trust and undermine development efforts across Member States. The Deputy Minister also highlighted that ethical standards in journalism are not optional but necessary for credible communication. This approach, he said, supports informed decision making among citizens.
The 2026 SADC Media Awards were officially launched on 3 October 2025, and submissions are currently under review in four main categories, namely Print, Photo, Television and Radio Journalism. First place winners in each category will receive US$2,500, while runners up will be awarded US$1,000. The prize structure is designed to support independent journalism and strengthen newsroom capacity across the region. According to the Deputy Minister, the financial support aims to enable journalists to conduct more thorough investigative reporting. This is expected to improve the quality and depth of media coverage on issues affecting Southern Africa.
The Deputy Minister also addressed the responsibilities of the Regional Adjudication Committee, urging members to promote awareness of the Awards across Member States. He called for expanded outreach to underrepresented areas and improved accessibility of the submission process for eligible journalists. He emphasized that transparency, fairness and accountability must guide every stage of adjudication. These principles, he noted, are critical to preserving the credibility and legitimacy of the Awards. Broader participation from community media and rural-based journalists was identified as a key priority.
Morolong stressed that the Awards play an important role in recognising professionalism and encouraging consistent coverage of SADC programmes and regional activities. He highlighted infrastructure corridors that connect Member States, along with trade and energy initiatives that directly impact citizens’ daily lives. These developments, he noted, require continuous media attention to ensure public awareness and accountability. He also emphasized the need for the regional narrative to reflect the diversity of the SADC Community. Women, youth and rural populations must be properly represented in media coverage.
The Deputy Minister further underscored the role of the media in addressing major regional challenges such as climate change, industrialisation and energy transition. He noted that these issues affect all Member States and require informed public discussion supported by accurate reporting. He stressed that citizens’ perspectives must be included in shaping the regional development agenda. The media, he said, has a critical responsibility in amplifying these voices and ensuring they influence policy direction. The adjudication process in Johannesburg is expected to strengthen recognition of journalism that reflects these priorities across the region.
The session continues with adjudicators reviewing entries submitted from across the SADC region, setting the stage for the announcement of winners in 2026.