The committee responsible for reviewing entries for the 30th GJA Media Awards has concluded its assessment and submitted its report to the National Executive of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA). Chaired by former Daily Graphic Editor, Kobby Asmah, the committee evaluated works published in 2025 and subsequently announced the nominees. It received 327 entries from 206 applicants and assessed 326 submissions across six divisions: print, television, radio, online, digital and new media.
The exercise resulted in 36 citations across the various award categories, with the process culminating in the selection of the GJA/P.A.V. Ansah Journalist of the Year Award winner, to be honoured at the 30th GJA Media Awards ceremony scheduled for Saturday at the Palms Convention, La Palm Beach Resort, Accra.
Mr Asmah disclosed that the committee adopted a 10-point assessment framework, with each criterion attracting a maximum of 10 marks, giving every entry a total possible score of 100 per cent. The criteria covered accuracy, newsworthiness, ethical standards, public impact, originality, storytelling, research, balance, technical quality and adherence to category requirements. The committee further recommended a minimum qualifying score of 70 per cent for an entry to be considered for an award.
However, the assessment revealed several shortcomings in some submissions. These included entries submitted under inappropriate categories, stories published outside the stipulated eligibility period, inaccessible links, illegible materials, photographs without captions and misleading headlines.
To strengthen the awards process in subsequent years, the committee proposed the introduction of training clinics to familiarise journalists with the submission guidelines and award requirements. It also recommended organising a conclave for future assessment committees, ensuring continuity through the establishment of a standing committee or retaining at least one member from the previous committee, and improving the accessibility and legibility of submitted entries.
