The Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit that hosts Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, has announced the award recipients of the first Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards. Journalist Carlos Mureithi from Kenya is announced as the first place award recipient for the article “How a ‘headstrong historian’ is rewriting Kenya’s colonial history“, published in the Christian Science Monitor in January 2023. Â
Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards is meant to celebrate the essential role journalists play in creating well-researched articles that volunteer editors can use as source materials to develop content on Wikipedia and otherÂ
Carlos Mureithi after receiving the news : “I’m delighted and honoured that my article has been recognised in first place. The story was inspired by my passion for Kenyan colonial history, and my realization over the years that a lot of it is hidden or untold. The article is a profile of Chao Tayiana Maina, a Kenyan historian and digital heritage specialist who uses tech to tackle this problem, effectively deepening knowledge and understanding of the country’s past.Â
The story shows the importance of filling historical gaps and making history accessible to people. This recognition validates my work to tell stories of African changemakers and put their voices on the global stage.”
Announced in the second place is Nigeria’s Osaruonamen Ibizugbe, for her article “FGM: Survivors narrate experiences dealing with absence of the clitoris”, published in the Premium Times in January 2023. It highlights the stories of women who have experienced female genital mutilation (FGM), and details its negative effects. It highlights the voices of women who often go unheard.
On receiving the news, Osaruonamen Ibizugbe said: “In my quest for answers, and as a Bini girl who works for women’s and girls’ sexual reproductive rights, I was inspired to investigate an area that is sometimes left out of the definition of disability: the removal of certain portions of the female reproductive organs due to FGM. The story documents the coping strategies adopted by survivors in dealing with the consequences of being circumcised, ranging from sexual dissatisfaction, pain, and frigidity in their sexual experiences. I firmly believe that the media is responsible for telling and amplifying African tales to influence narratives through its agenda-setting role. As a result, it is critical for journalists to ensure a more inclusive and balanced portrayal of varied voices and experiences in their media reporting, encouraging greater understanding and societal change in the process. Who will tell our African stories if we don’t?”
Anusha Alikhan, Chief Communications Officer at the Wikimedia Foundation, said: “We congratulate everyone that has been recognised in this year’s Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards. Their reporting helps to close knowledge gaps on Wikipedia and ensure that the topics, events and perspectives of Africans are there for the billions who visit the site. Wikipedia articles canât exist without reliable sources. We need more stories like these that help volunteer editors to grow the knowledge base on Wikipedia so that it is more reflective of our world.â
Four other outstanding articles have also received Special Mentions in each of the awardâs four categories, including: Arts, Culture, Heritage, and Sports – Aanu Adeoye (Nigeria), “The Benin Bronzes and the road to restitution“, (Financial Times); Digital and Human Rights – Philip Obaje Jr. (Nigeria), “The silencing of Sudan’s journalists – again“, (Al Jazeera Journalism Review); Health, Climate Change, and Environment – Jackson Ambole (Kenya), “How Mombasaâs yoghurt cups powered a reforestation drive”, (Al Jazeera); Women and Youth – Jacqueline Muchazoreka (Zimbabwe), “The story of how a Zimbabwean woman treated obstetric fistula despite criticism from her church & community” (BellaNaija).
