Organisers of the third annual African Blogger Awards competition have announced three new categories for social and digital influencers.
The new categories were opened in association with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with the aim to raise awareness of social issues that affect the continent. The categories are for Women and Girls' Empowerment, Public Health and Social Issues and Active Citizenship.
"The three new categories will raise awareness of bloggers, YouTubers, Instagrammers, Facebook and Twitter account holders who are passionate about reporting stories about women and girls' empowerment, public health and social issues. For the first time, they have the opportunity to gain recognition for the essential work they do in highlighting important issues," detailed an announcement by organisers.
Murray Legg, co-founder of the African Blogger Awards elaborated on their decision to add to the number of categories at this year's ceremony.
"Influencers are story tellers as much as journalists are, and often have access to stories that are missed in the mainstream media because of geographical limitations or staffing constraints in big media,"
Legg added that the three new categories recognise the importance of reporting by influencers are also able to spread news about critical issues to the audiences that they've built.
The Gates Foundation is the world's largest privately funded philanthropic organisation. Dr Ayo Ajayi, Africa Director for the Gates Foundation remarked on the usefulness of the new agreement.
"We are pleased to partner with the African Blogger Awards this year in promoting some of the most important issues facing Africans today. We believe that bloggers and social media influencers play an important role in highlighting the great successes and continuing challenges facing African development. We look forward to engaging more with these bloggers and influencers in our work in the future."
Entries for the 2016 African Blogger Awards are scheduled to close at midnight on 19 April 2016. Results will be announced in an online ceremony on 3 June 2016
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