The Media magazine has announced the two finalists for the overall 2007 Vodacom Women in The Media Award. They are: GenderLinks executive director Colleen Lowe Morna and CEO of Media24 Magazines Patricia Scholtemeyer
The accolade, which went to Mail & Guardian editor Ferial Haffajee last year, aims to recognise formidable women in the media industry across the spectrum. That includes researchers, media owners, broadcasters, print, sales and editorial people as well as those who have contributed to media education and development.
‘These awards are now in their fifth year and each year our editorial board is pleasantly surprised at the number and calibre of nominees. The Women in The Media Award recognises remarkable individuals who have made measurable and meaningful strides in furthering media within the economic, social or political environment in which we operate,” says Sandra Gordon, founder of the award and publisher of The Media magazine.
‘The standard has been set by past winners such as Ferial Haffajee (2006) editor of the Mail & Guardian and Libby Lloyd (2005) then CEO of the Media Development and Diversity Agency.” The awards are the only of their kind.
The editorial board of The Media magazine judged the awards and described Morna as a champion for gender rights in South Africa. A former journalist, she is the executive director of GenderLinks and was earlier this year involved in the Glass Ceiling research on gender equality in newsrooms. The study was commission by the South African National Editors’ Forum to lift the lid on discrepancies in newsrooms related to transformation and the advancement of women in the media industry.
The judges said Scholtemeyer had ‘revolutionised” the magazine industry. She is credited with creating 300 jobs in the past year alone and increasing Media24’s foot print in the magazine industry. The media giant accounts for more than 60 percent of consumer magazines in the country and is home to a number of international titles including the newly launched Psychologies and InStyle.
The winner will be announced on July 31 at a gala event held at Summer Place, Sandton. At the luncheon, awards will also be given to a Rising Star, an under 30s woman in the media, and a Lifetime Achiever. Don’t miss The Media magazine’s August Women in Media issue.