Citadel Words on Money Journalism Award

Citadel introduced this award in 1999 to reward outstanding reporting on matters related to personal finance and investment.

Previous overall winners:

2000 Stephen Cranston, Financial Mail
2001 Bruce Cameron, Personal Finance
2002 Stafford Thomas, Financial Mail
2003 Marc Hasenfuss Finansies & Tegniek / Finance Week (Now FINweek)
2004 Alec Hogg, Moneyweb
2005 Bruce Cameron, Personal Finance
2006 Charlene Clayton, Personal Finance
2007 Bruce Cameron, Personal Finance
2008 Bruce Cameron, Personal Finance
2009 Bruce Whitfield, 702 Talk Radio, FINweek and Best Life

   >> Photographs 2008

   >> Photographs 2009

1. Categories

All features entered must be about investment issues or matters related to personal finance. Judges will consider the quality of the information provided, judge the journalistic merit (writing/presentation style), factual correctness; level of research evident in entries and newsworthiness.

Breaking News
Hard news reporting on newsworthy issues of importance to investors and consumers. E.g. "Finance Minister announces Capital Gains Tax"; "New law requires all bank account holders to confirm residential address details"; "Saambou under curatorship"; "Resources sector the new hot trend"; "Property boom loses steam".

Analysis and opinion
Columns, including opinion pieces or analysis of news events or investment issues. Judges will consider the entrant's interpretation of the news. E.g. "Capital gains tax a must for rebuilding the South African economy"; "Saambou a warning for financial services".

Best feature
Articles, series of articles, radio/tv programme or series of programmes, about a particular issue. E.g. "Shake-up looming in healthcare, soon only the very wealthy can afford it"; "Buy to-let property market a risky investment selection"; "Unit trusts remain the most popular investment choice"; "Leading asset managers change direction from stocks to bonds"; "Delisting of Edcon leaves a gap in investment choices"; "The true costs of investing".

Consumer education
Features, articles, or a series of features, that provide consumers with information that will help them make better choices with their money. E.g. the benefits of paying an extra R500 per month into a home loan account; selecting short-term insurance; when do you need life cover; how to select a financial advisor; what is risk analysis and why it is important; medical aid costs; property investments.

Chairman's Award for Investigative Journalism
The real story behind the news. Judges will consider the level of research, quality of the information and writing/presentation style. For the best investigative reporting about the financial services industry and investment issues. E.g. "Capital Gains Tax legislation was developed by a top-level task team supported by big business, following a global research project"; "The real story behind how Fidentia directors played with investors' money".

Alternative investment award
Reporting on investments in alternative investment options: hedge funds, derivatives, futures.

Newcomer of the Year
Entries by journalists who have not previously entered the Citadel Words on Money Award.

Overall winner
The overall winner will be selected from all entries received and will be decided after a panel discussion by the participating judges.

2. Entries

Any reports, features or newsletters published between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2009 can be entered for the award.

Any work published in print or on the Internet, or which is broadcast on radio or television, can be entered.

Entrants can submit a portfolio of articles or broadcasts to a maximum of three articles or broadcasts, or one series of articles or broadcasts about the same topic. Entries for the print category must be submitted in published format. Clippings must be no bigger than A4.

Radio entries are to be submitted on audiocassette or CD and must be clearly marked with the details of entrant. Television entries are to be submitted on DVD and must be clearly marked with the details of entrant. Internet or electronic newsletter entries can be submitted on CD WITH a printed copy of the entry. All entries must include details of publication dates, as only published work will be considered for the award. Original material submitted cannot be returned.

Entry for the award is open to any journalist or reporter, whether in a full-time or freelance capacity for any media. Copy written by Citadel staff or participating judges or investment professionals cannot be entered.

3. Prizes

• Overall winner: R20 000
• Breaking News (one prize each for print and electronic media): R7 500
• Analysis and opinion: R7 500
• Best feature: R7 500
• Consumer education: R7 500
• Chairman's Award for Investigative Journalism: R7 500
• Alternative investment: R7 500
• Newcomer of the Year: R5 000
  

4. Closing date and entry details

All entries for the Citadel Words on Money Journalism Award must be submitted no later than 12:00 on Friday 29 January 2010. Entries must be clearly marked 'Citadel Words on Money Award' and sent to:

5. Adjudicators and criteria

The entries will be considered by a panel to be appointed by Citadel. No Citadel employees will participate in the judging, with the exception of entries received for the category "Chairman's Award".

The judges will consider the following:

• Quality of information provided, that can assist any level of investor to make more informed decisions about his or her personal financial affairs
• Writing quality
• An understanding of the dynamics of the South African financial services industry and investment environment

6. Awards ceremony

Prizes will be awarded to winners at a special ceremony to be hosted by Citadel in May 2010. All entrants will be informed of the details. Entrants are responsible for their own transport to and from the event.

 Inskrywingsvorm