TV Journalist Sharon Barang’a Emerges Second at International Reporting Award

• International Center for Journalists and World Health Organisation launched the contest to improve the quantity and quality of news on violence against children
• The winners of the 2022 International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) Violence Against Children Reporting Contest focused on abuse, corporal punishment and HIV and AIDS
• Kenya’s Leon Lidigu, Ian Wafula, and Sharon Barang’a bagged three awards, while the rest went to journalists from the Philippines and Colombia

The head of the education desk at TV47 Sharon Barang’a has emerged as second runner-up in the 2022 International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) Violence Against Children Reporting Contest in Colombia.

Barang’a’s piece among 50 entries

The TV journalist produced the ‘Child Maltreatment Documentary’, which was among the 50 entries in the hotly contested competition.

The contest, which was a brainchild of the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) and the World Health Organisation(WHO), was designed to improve the quantity and quality of news on violence against children worldwide.

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According to the ICFJ website, winners of the contest shone a light on the sexual abuse of children by priests in Colombia, corporal punishment in Kenya, and child trafficking on the internet in the Philippines.

While reacting to the news, Barang’a said: “From the time I joined the newsroom as a journalist, I purposed to use my voice and pen to amplify issues affecting children because they are our future.”

“I am grateful to God for the platforms I have that help in telling the stories of our children. I dedicate the award to all African children,” she added.

Ian Wafula, Leon Lidigu also score big

BBC’s Ian Wafula emerged on top with a documentary on corporal punishment, while Nation’s Leon Lidigu emerged third with his story.

“Reporting on violence against children is critically important, and it requires great care and professionalism,” said ICFJ’s deputy vice president of programs said Aliza Appelbaum said.

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“The winning entries shed light on this under-reported topic, with coverage that is careful, human-centric and solutions-oriented,” she added.

Kenyans encourage reporter after losing dad

Two years ago, Barang’a suffered pain and a heavy setback when she lost her father and job at the Nation Media Group within a month of each other.

Barang’a was among staff laid off by the Nation Media Group in July 2020, and the reporter shared the heartbreaking news online.

Touched by her story, Kenyans and fellow journalists encouraged her, assuring her things would be okay.

Source: TUKO.co.ke