January 20, 2025
Kabul – The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) is proud to announce the launch of applications for the esteemed 2025 'Afghanistan Journalist of the Year' Award. Established in 2014, this prestigious award aims to honor and celebrate the outstanding contributions of Afghan journalists who have significantly advanced the field of journalism, particularly in the context of Afghanistan's unique challenges and developments.
Purpose
The Afghanistan Journalist of the Year Award seeks to recognize an Afghan journalist or a collective of journalists—including reporters, photojournalists, presenters, columnists, and editorial writers—whose work emphasizes untold stories focused on Afghanistan and its people. Our mission is to foster excellence, creativity, and innovation within the field of journalism, thereby inspiring future generations of journalists in the country.
Award Criteria:
Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Impactful Investigative Reporting: Works that have contributed to positive change by prompting authorities to address pressing issues effectively.
- Innovative Media Activities: Initiatives that have enhanced the media landscape in Afghanistan, encouraging a new wave of journalistic talent and showcasing creative approaches within their specific areas of expertise.
- Underrepresented Stories: Reports that highlight critical situations often neglected by mainstream media.
- Focus on Peace and Human Rights: Works addressing vital topics such as peace, human rights, and particularly the rights of women and children.
- International Recognition: Media activities that have attracted international attention and coverage.
Eligibility:
This competition is open to Afghan media organizations operating within Afghanistan and in exile, as well as Afghan journalists across print, online, broadcast, or multimedia platforms targeting Afghan audiences.
- Applicants must have prior work experience with Afghan or international media organizations.
- Each entrant may submit only one piece of work, provided via file and URL. For TV or radio programs, a translated script must accompany the submission. A brief CV or biography is also required.
- All submissions must be in one of Afghanistan's national languages: Persian/Dari or Pashto. Works in English are also accepted.
- Only Afghan citizens are eligible to participate in this competition.
- Entries must consist of work published or broadcasted between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024.
Submission Deadline:
All entries must be submitted by February 5, 2025, at 23:59 Kabul Time. Only submissions received by the deadline will be considered. Entries should be sent via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Upon submission, the organizing committee will verify that all necessary documentation is included and will send a confirmation email within 24 hours. The submission will be deemed complete only after receiving this confirmation.
Judging Process:
A distinguished panel of judges, comprising respected professionals with expertise in journalism, will be appointed by the board of the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) to oversee the competition. The judging process will be coordinated by the award’s chairperson, ensuring balanced representation regarding gender, geography, and journalistic expertise. Judges will independently select their preferred entries and convene, either in-person or virtually, to discuss and finalize their nominations. In the event of a tie, the judges will resolve the matter through discussion and subsequent voting.
Prize:
Winner/s will receive a cash prize of 1,000 USD and will be honored at the National Journalist Day event scheduled for March 17, 2025.
We encourage all eligible journalists to participate and showcase their remarkable work that contributes to the advancement of journalism and the betterment of Afghan society. Your voice matters, and we look forward to celebrating your achievements.