Catholic Radio Network (CRN) reporter Ginaba Lino has been recognized as one of the 10 Journalism Excellence Awards 2024 awardees. Organized by the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS), Lino received the prestigious Excellence Award for Education Reporting.
The awards ceremony took place on Friday, with UJOSS President Patrick Oyet emphasizing the importance of recognizing journalists’ contributions to South Sudan’s media landscape.
“These awards are crucial because they encourage journalists to focus and specialize in different reporting sectors,” said Oyet. “We have ten categories, including best stories in culture, human rights, and more. This recognition helps our colleagues excel and produce better work.”
Oyet also highlighted the progress of South Sudanese journalists, noting that some have even earned recognition at the East African regional level this year.
“This award is not just ceremonial; it’s about encouraging specialization and improving journalism standards,” he added.
The Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) South Sudan office, Tanaka Hiroyuki, commended UJOSS for advancing media professionalism in the country.
“Today, we celebrate the unwavering commitment, resilience, and professionalism of our journalists, despite challenges like the recent postponement of elections,” said Hiroyuki. He praised the dedication of journalists to providing accurate information and fostering understanding amidst South Sudan’s challenging media environment.
The event also shed light on the challenges faced by media organizations, including inadequate funding and limited advertising revenue. Despite these obstacles, the awards ceremony highlighted the critical role journalists play in shaping public discourse and promoting progress in South Sudan.
Ginaba Lino’s achievement underscores the vital role of education reporting in South Sudan’s development and reflects CRN’s commitment to impactful journalism.