Several TV journalism winners in the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards 2013.

There were several TV reporters across Africa who won in the series of tightly contested categories in the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards 2013 which took place in Cape Town, South Africa on Saturday evening - with television stories ranging from public toilets in Ghana, to that of an orphaned Sierra Leone girl who is now a ballerina dancer in South Africa.

The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards 2013 was presented by Isha Sesay of CNN International (DStv 401) for her 5th consecutive time, as well as Macfarlane Moleli who left eNCA (DStv 403) earlier this year for Khaya FM.

Unlike eNCA and e.tv in the past, the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards 2013 will this year be broadcast on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on 24 October at 21:30 (58 mins.) and on M-Net (DStv 101) on 29 October at 09:30 (24 mins.).

"The media is a central part of any nation," said Collins Khumalo, CEO of MultiChoice South Africa, who encouraged journalist across Africa to keep telling their stories.

Nico Meyer, the CEO of MultiChoice Africa told journalists that "without your hard work and perseverance, the development of the media across Africa would not be possible."

"One of my biggest concerns over the years has been the safety and security of our people," said Parisa Khosravi, who was appointed last month as senior vice president of global relations at CNN International and the 24-hour TV news channel's new global brand ambassador."

"I'm deeply in awe of those who risk their own safety to bring important news to their audiences by giving voice to the voiceless and shedding light on oppression and injustice."

"In my new expanded role as the first ever global ambassador for CNN I have further opportunity to uphold our founder Ted Turner's vision to ensure that our global village has a better understanding of itself," she said.

"We look forward to bringing our award-winning programming to your homes with the help of MultiChoice for many years to come. These awards are one of the ways we help promote the highest form of journalistic standards and press freedom around the world," said Parisa Khosravi.

South Africa's Nicola de Chaud won for her TV story for Carte Blanche on M-Net in the Culture Awards category about Michaela de Prince, a Sierra Leone war orphan who is now a ballerina dancer in South Africa.

Mauritius' Axcel Micael Chenney won for a French Teleplus story in the French general news category about a fallen hero involving drugs, politics, sports and money.

Mozambique's Selma Onocencia won in the Portuguese general news category for a TV story for Rede de Comunicacao Miramar about animal cruelty.

Kenya's Roseline Wangui Wanyiri won in the category for Best Television Feature. Her story which was broadcast on NTV was about "beads women", young women sexually exploited when they're taken by men as "temporary wives".

Ghana's Gifty Andoh Appiah won for her TV story in the Best Television News Bulletin category which was broadcast on Joy News Channel in Ghana over the shocking condition of public toilets in that country.

TV journalists commended for their work include Susan Comrie and Joy Summers for Carte Blanche in South Africa; Robyn Kriel and Orto Sori of eSat and eNCA in Kenya; Judy Jeptum Kosgei and Mauritius Odour of Citizen TV in Kenya; and Amon Ngabo of the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation in Uganda.


ALSO READ: Multi-faceted journalism needed from Africa's journalists who need to keep the bigger picture in mind, says the continent's media experts.

Parisa Khosravi appointed as senior vice president of global relations at CNN International.

Parisa Khosravi at CNN International has been appointed as senior vice president of global relations, a newly-created position, making her CNN's global brand ambassador of the 24-hour TV news channel.

Parisa Khosravi started at CNN in 1987 and has been the senior vice president of international news gathering for CNN Worldwide. In her new position she will continue to report to Tony Maddox, the head of CNN International.

"She will be CNN's go-to person for editorial dealings with governments and key players outside the United States, securing key interviews," writes Tony Maddox in an email to CNN staff.

Ivan Watson of CNN International promoted to senior international correspondent.

Ivan Watson, the globe-trotting and fearless roaming reporter of CNN International (DStv 401) has been promoted to senior international correspondent at the 24-hour international TV news network.

Parisa Khosravi, senior vice president of international newsgathering for CNN Worldwide announced Ivan Watson's promotion.

Ivan Watson who is based at CNN Istanbul, joined CNN four years ago and has since covered a number of major news stories like the Haiti eartquake in 2010 and the conflict and social uprising across the Middle East known as the "Arab Spring".

Ivan Watson most recently reported from Syria and has extensively covered the impact that story has made in Turkey and the surrounding region.

In a note to staff Parisa Khosravi said "I am pleased to announce Ivan Watson's promotion to senior international correspondent. Ivan's excellent reporting speaks for itself, and we are proud to acknowledge his contribution to CNN International's coverage in the past few years."

CNN International expands its news gathering operations in Beirut by adding correspondent Mohammed Jamjoom.

CNN International (DStv 401) has expanded its news gathering operations in Beirut, Lebanon by adding correspondent Mohammed Jamjoom to Arwa Damon already covering the area.

Mohammed Jamjoom and Raja Razek will now both be based in Beirut, expanding CNN International's news bureau presence there.

"Given the daily demands of the news from the region, CNN will be even better poised to cover the stories that need to be told. Mohammed will report and Raja will produce and shoot; bth are available for work from Beirut," wrote Parisa Khosravi, the senior vice president of international news gathering in a memo to staff.

SuperSport and its OB unit in Zambia helping with the broadcasting logistics of the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards 2012.

I've been told that SuperSport is helping with the broadcasting logistics of the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards 2012 this year, which is taking place this coming weekend in Zambia for the first time.

The 17th CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards will be held at the new ultra modern Government Complex Convention Centre in Lusaka in Zambia where SuperSport happens to have a state-of-the-art Outside Broadcast (OB) vehicle.


It was moved there after covering the cricket in Zimbabwe and will be used for this awards ceremony and TV production which will be broadcast on CNN International (DStv 401). The vehicle will then be moved to Kenya and is mainly used for covering the Zambian and Kenyan football leagues. Zambia's national broadcaster, the ZNBC will also broadcast the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards 2012 live to Zambian viewers.


Isha Sesay will be co-hosting the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards 2012 this year, who viewers will already see missing from her daily presenting duties on CNN NewsCenter on CNN International as she has been making her way to Zambia.


I'm told that Tony Maddox, the executive vice president and managing director of CNN International won't be attending the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards 2012 this year, but that Parisa Khosravi, the senior vice president for CNN Worldwide in charge of international newsgathering (who have attended the awards event before) will be there this year again.


Kim Norgaard, CNN International's bureau chief based in Johannesburg for the news channel will also be attending the awards event in Zambia.