The second season of the year-long investigative journalism competition ended yesterday. This happened in a colorful gala at the national museum which saw contestants re-unite. The gala was graced by some of the leading journalists across the world. Ghana’s award winning investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Josh Friedman the founder of the Committee to Protect Journalists among other local journalists who were judges in the competition
Out of the 20 universities that participated in the competition, 4 made it to the finals. Of the 4 teams, Mount Kenya University emerged the winners of the Top story Season 2 challenge. Multimedia, Kisii and Maseno Universities were in the second, third and fourth places respectively. The winners, Mount Kenya University will go on a one-week fully paid trip to London.
Top Story is a creation of Joseph Warungu of Africa on Air and formerly BBC. The first season saw 13 universities participate. The just concluded season had 20 universities and he projects that the next will have more than 27 teams. “We have already received requests from other universities which are expressing interest in participating in season 3 of the competition.”
While addressing those present at the gala, Anas challenged the young journalists to be truthful and to take up the challenge to redefine African journalism. “I charge all of you, as we live as journalists, we must always believe that being original in our thoughts is the best way of nibbing societal problems. The problems that engulf us, I have always called extreme diseases. And when we have extreme diseases we need extreme remedies to combat those diseases and I have always belonged to that extreme remedy.”
“Truth should be your cross. Truth should always be the fundamental thing you look at when you engage on those journeys. It’s what will set you free. Do not think that you can get away with lies in journalism because it will catch up with you very soon.” Anas added.
The competition seeks to nurture the next generation of investigative journalists in Kenya by connecting them with experienced journalists in the industry and exposing them to real investigative challenges.
Season 3 of the competition is set to start later in the year.
