Digital Media Africa Awards winners showcase continent’s news media excellence

The recently concluded WAN-IFRA’s Digital Media Africa Awards 2017, which marked the second edition of the event in the region, provided a snapshot of planetary best-practice across the news media industry. The awards recognised finest African media projects on centre stage, providing innovation, interactivity, and energy as hallmarks of an inspiring range of media. The Best News Website Award was bagged by Tiso Blackstar Group (Johannesburg) for their project BusinessLIVE. Netwerk24 by Media24 (Cape Town) came next.  Best in Lifestyle, Sports or Entertainment Website went to W24 by Media24 (Cape Town). Of all the positive comments from the judges, the word ‘fresh’ came up repeatedly for W24 which is exactly what’s needed from a site appealing to ‘millennial women with a flair for fashion and a passion for all things lifestyle.’

Best Use of Online Video award was won by Gupta Leaks Video Series of Chronicle Productions (Cape Town). A topical, hard-hitting subject in South Africa got the video treatment from Chronicle Productions with a result that impressed with its “irreverent, intelligent style and … lovely use of video effects, excellent graphics, and good lighting.” Runner-up was MOJO: 16 Days of Activism by Independent Media (Cape Town). Best Data Visualisation award conferred on ‘Deadly Force Database’ by Nation Media Group (Nairobi). The project takes a theme familiar from US investigations into homicide, and brings it home to Kenya with a powerful emphasis on naming each victim.

Other winners under diverse categories included Best News Mobile Service award to ‘News24 Edge’ by Media24 (Cape Town).News24 is a long-established premium online news source. GQ Magazine/website, by Condé Nast Independent Magazines (Cape Town) bagged the Best Lifestyle, Sports or Entertainment Mobile Services award. Best Innovation/New Product went to News24 Edge by Media24 (Cape Town).  Best in Social Media Engagement went to BBC Media Action Sierra Leone – Facebook page by BBC Media Action (Freetown, Sierra Leone). Men’s Health (www.mh.co.za) by Media24 (Cape Town) won Best Digital Advertising Campaign (including Branded Content).  Best Innovation to Engage Youth Audiences went to MyNetwork by Nation Media Group (Nairobi).