Take interest in business and finance reporting, Citi urges journalists

CITI Bank has challenged journalists within the country to have an interest in reporting on matters of business and finance. CITI Bank has challenged journalists within the country to have an interest in reporting on matters of business and finance.
Citi Bank head of Human Resource and Public Affairs Mabvuto Daka told the Lusaka Star in an exclusive interview after Citi Banks’ launch of the Citi Journalistic Excellence Awards (CJEA) that it was important for journalists to report accurately on business and finance.
Mr. Daka said journalists are key in passing information and knowledge of the business field to the public.
“There is a growing desire by people in wanting to know about what is happening in their economy, and business wise. Thus Journalists are the vehicles through which such information is relayed to the people so that they are able to make informed decisions in life. Therefore, they must make sure that they report accurately and with depth in matters of business and finance for the readership out there,” he added.
And speaking during the launch of the CJEA, Mr. Daka said that the CJEA would offer endless opportunities for journalists’ experience and recognition.
“Through the CJEA, journalists are able to gain recognition, local as well as international. This is a very good opportunity for a journalist to network and interact as well as gaining recognition at local and international levels,” he noted.
He said the award will also raise quality of financial reporting and business journalism for the benefit of the journalists and the wider community and deepen Citi’s contribution to the journalism trade and other stakeholders.
CJEA which began in 1982, recognises outstanding business reporting and editorial writing in participating Citi markets and was launched in Zambia on 6th February 2013.
This year’s awards will consider stories that had been published in print media last year and closing date for entries had been set for 15th February, 2014
Mr. Daka noted in future, the competition would be extended to the electronic media to enable a wider participation.
The CJEA gives journalists an opportunity to win an all-expense paid trip to New York City and attend a special 8-day seminar administered by Colombia Graduate School of Journalism and sponsored by Citi.
Mr. Daka explained that journalists are invited to enter published articles, which would be screened by independent judging panels assembled by Citi, who would then short-list the top three finalists and submit to Colombia Graduate School of Journalism who ultimately confirms the winners.
He urged all journalists in the print media to enter the competition to have a chance to attain global experience in business and finance.
The event was held at Lusaka's Taj Pamodzi Hotel and was attended by journalists from the Post Newspaper, Times of Zambia, Daily Mail and students from the University of Zambia.