In this line of work, we hear it all the time: "why don't you all do more investigative journalism?" Indeed, it's a great professional striving and our opaque system of governance really needs it - but it's not all that simple; investigative journalism takes time, human resources, and technique. And with newsrooms of less than a handful of journalists - bringing all those elements together is not that simple.
But now there's an incentive for media houses and journalists to lean into investigative journalism. That's because the first of its kind "Belize Prize for Investigative Journalism" was launched today.
With a prize of $10,000, it is the richest and, right now, just about the only prize offered to journalists in Belize.
That prize will go to the single best investigative journalism piece aired or published between January first and December 31st, 2022. Entries will be judged by four media professionals - three from outside of Belize and one from Belize. The prize will be awarded in April, 2023.
The launch press release says, quote, "investigative journalism holds a magnifying glass to complex issues that can undermine democracy and subvert the values of civil society. In Belize, investigative journalism can reveal bad actors and actions across the spectrum: Governance, the economy, the environment, crime, healthcare, education and more.
The Belize Prize for Investigative Journalism seeks to recognize and reward courageous and dedicated journalists who watch, chronicle, reveal and hold to account the people and forces that work against equity, transparency, civility and good governance in our nation." End quote. We'll interview the lead organizer Holly Edgell on the news tomorrow. ENDS…
