NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 8 – Rosemary Mong’ina Onchari of Shahidi News and Capital FM is among the seven finalists for the 2022 Human Rights Journalism (JHR) Awards.
Onchari is a member of the Crime Journalists Association of Kenya (CJAK) and is also an award-winning Journalist with United Nations Women Africa on Women’s Rights Activism and Leadership, among others.
Other six finalists are Nancy Agutu of The Star, Stella Alex of Radio Domus in Kajiado, Isaac Waihenya of Jangwani Radio in Marsabit County, Moraa Obiria of Daily Nation, Rosebella Tawa of Radio Rahma Mombasa, Serfine Achieng Ouma of Citizen TV.
According to Journalists for Human Rights-Kenya, the competition received 123 entries from journalists around the country, an increase compared to 79 entries last year. TV journalists recorded the lowest submissions, according to JHR-K.
The judges comprising veteran journalists revealed that the quality of the stories has improved, compared to last year, and attributed this to increased training and mentoring of journalists.
Journalist Njeri Rugene, a judge at the independent panel for the awards said upcoming journalists had shown a lot of improvement.
“This year, it was almost impossible to pick the best because the competition was too tight. The stories submitted were comprehensive and of high standards. It is worth noting that there were new entrants, especially from community media houses,” she said.
The awards ceremony will be held on Friday, December 9, to coincide with the eve of the completion of the 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and Human Rights Day which is commemorated globally on December 10.
CJAK’s Onchari has five years of experience in reporting and has developed interest in Gender, Environment, Health, Science, Agriculture, and Security and Crime reporting.
She has won several grants from JHR, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), African Data Hub (ADH), and Media for Environment Science Health Agriculture (MESHA).
She is also a member of MESHA, and a community member with Code for Africa and News Product Alliance (NPA).
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