2020 Investigative and Features Writing Award
Story: Gambia: D1.8 billion project awarded without duediligence by Mustapha K. Darboe published in Kerr Fatou on 29.09.2019
Read the story HERE.
Judges’ Comments
Overall, ten submissions were entered for this
category. All of the entries were beautifully written with a futuristic
character, but no investigation done. For example, most of the stories wrote
about an interesting topic and presented it in feature form but the information
contained therein are obtain from open sources or some random interviews. This
is not considered to be investigative reporting.
The winning entry has both feature and
investigative characteristics and found to be worthy of an award. The
angling is very accurate and thoughtful. The story is also newsworthy
considering significant public funds have been ‘inappropriately’ spent without
due diligence.
It gave lots of direct quotations
and provides many useful documentary evidences. The grammar and style of
presentation is good and clear. The story is investigative, very original in
context and scope. It is considered to be of great public benefit. Taxpayers
money to the tune of billion Dalasis spent with ‘inappropriately’ This story
delves into state misuse of public funds and potentials for corruption.