ReportHer Awards: Honoring Women’s Representation in Media

Q: What is the ReportHer Award?

The ReportHer Award is an initiative that recognizes and celebrates Nigerian journalists and media organizations who demonstrate a commitment to gender-balanced reporting. It honors those who amplify women’s voices, use women as sources, and challenge stereotypes in their coverage of news and stories.

The ReportHer Award is a groundbreaking initiative in Nigeria’s media landscape, designed to promote gender-balanced storytelling and amplify women’s voices in journalism.

Inaugurated on July 8, 2023, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, the event brought together key stakeholders committed to transforming the media industry.

Organized by Women Radio 91.7 FM in collaboration with the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) and supported by UN Women and the Government of Canada, the ReportHer Award recognizes media organizations and journalists who are dedicated to advancing gender equality in their reporting.

By spotlighting exceptional work that challenges gender stereotypes and empowers women, the ReportHer Award aims to foster an inclusive media environment.

The award covers various categories, including print, radio, television, and digital journalism, alongside an individual journalist category for outstanding contributions.

Notable winners from the inaugural edition include Arise News, Voice of Nigeria, Blueprint Newspaper, TechCabal, and Titilope Fadare of Premium Times Nigeria, who was named the ReportHer Journalist of the Year.

The ReportHer Award not only celebrates excellence but also inspires a new standard for Nigerian journalism, where every voice is valued and represented.

Who organizes the ReportHer Award?

The ReportHer Award is organized by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), a Nigerian non-profit organization dedicated to promoting investigative journalism and advancing gender equity in media.

Launched in 2017, the ReportHer initiative aims to increase the visibility of women in news content and amplify women’s voices in media narratives.

The award specifically recognizes outstanding journalists and media organizations that demonstrate excellence in reporting on issues affecting women and girls, as well as those that promote gender-sensitive storytelling.

The WSCIJ’s broader mission encompasses capacity building, advocacy, and the celebration of journalistic excellence. Through the ReportHer Award, the Centre encourages media professionals to challenge stereotypes, highlight women’s contributions to society, and address systemic gender inequalities.

By honoring journalists who produce impactful stories on women’s issues, the award fosters a more inclusive media landscape in Nigeria and supports the development of journalism that reflects diverse perspectives.

Why This Award is Important

The ReportHer Award is a timely and crucial initiative in Nigeria’s media landscape, highlighting the urgent need for gender-balanced storytelling and the fair representation of women in media.

For too long, women’s voices, perspectives, and expertise have been underrepresented or misrepresented in news coverage.

The ReportHer Award addresses this imbalance by celebrating journalists and media organizations that are intentionally amplifying women’s stories, inviting more women as experts, and portraying women in a fair and respectful light.

This award matters because media plays a powerful role in shaping public perceptions and influencing societal norms. When women are visible in news stories, not just as subjects of gender-based violence or victims, but as leaders, professionals, and changemakers, it challenges stereotypes and opens doors for greater gender equality.

The ReportHer Award inspires journalists to go beyond tokenism and embrace inclusive storytelling that reflects the diversity of society. It also fosters a media culture that values women’s contributions and normalizes their presence in all areas of reporting.

Ultimately, the ReportHer Award serves as a catalyst for a more equitable media space, one that recognizes the importance of women’s voices in driving positive change across Nigeria and beyond.

Award Categories and Recipients

The inaugural edition featured five distinct categories, each celebrating excellence in promoting women’s representation:

1. Television Category

The Television Category of the ReportHer Award recognizes TV stations that prioritize gender-balanced storytelling and ensure the fair and inclusive representation of women in their broadcasts.

The inaugural award was presented to Arise News, an outstanding example of a media house committed to amplifying women’s voices across diverse topics and sectors.

Arise News stood out for consistently featuring women not just as subjects in stories about gender-based issues but also as experts, analysts, and key decision-makers in areas such as politics, business, health, and technology.

By deliberately making space for women’s stories and ensuring their inclusion in prime-time discussions, Arise News is reshaping narratives and setting a powerful standard for Nigerian television.

Their work demonstrates how inclusive storytelling can challenge stereotypes, inspire audiences, and promote a culture where women’s contributions are valued. The award serves as a call to action for other broadcasters to prioritize gender equality in their reporting.

2. Radio Category

The Radio Category of the ReportHer Award honors radio stations that amplify women’s voices and ensure fair gender representation in their programming.

Voice of Nigeria (VON) won this category for its remarkable dedication to telling women’s stories and highlighting their contributions across various sectors.

VON was recognized for using women as primary sources—not just in stories about gender issues, but also in reporting on politics, the economy, culture, and current affairs.

This intentional inclusion of women’s perspectives helps normalize their presence in public discourse and encourages listeners to see women as active participants and experts in their fields.

By consistently covering women’s experiences, achievements, and challenges, VON demonstrates the power of radio as a tool for driving positive change and promoting inclusivity.

Their work sets a strong example for other broadcasters to follow, showing that gender-balanced reporting isn’t just about fairness—it’s essential for building a truly representative and informed society.

3. Print Category

The Print Category of the ReportHer Award celebrates newspapers that prioritize women’s stories and promote gender-balanced reporting across all news topics.

Blueprint Newspaper received this award for its outstanding commitment to elevating women’s voices across diverse beats—including politics, business, human rights, health, and other general news areas.

Blueprint stood out for its deliberate effort to feature women not only as subjects of gender-related stories but also as experts, thought leaders, and sources across a wide range of news coverage.

This approach challenges stereotypes that often limit women’s representation in the media and helps normalize the presence of women in mainstream journalism.

By embedding women’s perspectives into everyday reporting, Blueprint sets a strong example for other newspapers in Nigeria, proving that gender inclusion is not a separate issue but a standard practice for high-quality journalism. The award underscores the importance of fair representation in creating a truly inclusive media landscape.

4. Digital Category

The Digital Category of the ReportHer Award recognizes online media platforms that amplify women’s stories and foster inclusive narratives in the digital landscape.

TechCabal received this award for its outstanding dedication to highlighting the achievements and expertise of women in technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

TechCabal’s reporting goes beyond the typical coverage of gender issues, intentionally showcasing women as trailblazers in male-dominated industries.

By consistently featuring women as experts, founders, and thought leaders, the platform helps reshape the narrative around women in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, inspiring the next generation of female innovators.

The award acknowledges TechCabal’s efforts to ensure that women are visible in stories of innovation, technology, and business growth.

Their work demonstrates how digital media can be a powerful tool for challenging stereotypes, amplifying underrepresented voices, and driving meaningful change towards a more equitable and inclusive digital future.

5. Individual Journalist Category

The Individual Journalist Category of the ReportHer Award honors exceptional reporters who demonstrate a strong commitment to amplifying women’s voices and addressing gender issues with nuance and sensitivity.

Titilope Fadare of Premium Times Nigeria was named the ReportHer Journalist of the Year for her outstanding work covering critical topics affecting women and girls, such as gender-based violence, reproductive health, and economic empowerment.

Fadare’s reporting is notable for its depth, thorough research, and impactful storytelling that brings much-needed attention to underreported issues. Her work exemplifies the principles of ethical journalism and social responsibility, setting a benchmark for quality and integrity in the media industry.

Her recognition underscores the crucial role individual journalists play in driving social change and promoting gender equality through thoughtful, inclusive reporting. Fadare’s achievements inspire other journalists to pursue stories that elevate women’s experiences and contribute to a more equitable society.

How the Winners were Selected

The ReportHer Award is designed to recognize and honor journalists and media organizations that promote fair and balanced representation of women in the media.

To ensure that award recipients truly reflect these values, the selection process is guided by a clear and robust set of criteria.

These criteria help the judges evaluate how well the nominees contribute to amplifying women’s voices and fostering gender-inclusive storytelling across different media platforms. Here’s a detailed look at the selection standards:

Ethics and Professionalism in Reporting: Journalists and media houses are assessed on how they uphold the highest ethical standards in their reporting. This includes accuracy, fairness, integrity, and accountability in telling women’s stories. Ethical reporting avoids sensationalism, stereotypes, and biases, ensuring that stories about women are told respectfully and responsibly.
Social Responsibility in Gender-Focused Reporting: The award considers how stories contribute to social change, awareness, and advocacy for women’s rights. It looks at the impact of the reporting on public understanding of gender issues, from women’s health and education to economic empowerment and leadership. Entries are judged on whether they promote gender equality and inspire action.
Use of Women as News Sources: A key factor in selection is how often journalists include women as sources, experts, or subjects in their stories. It’s not enough to report on women; the media must actively seek out women’s perspectives and voices across all topics—not just gender issues. The award values stories where women are featured as professionals, decision-makers, and everyday citizens shaping their communities.
Equal Representation in Diverse Stories: The ReportHer Award looks at whether women are fairly represented across a wide range of stories—not just in “soft” news or gender-based violence cases. It checks for inclusion in areas like politics, business, technology, and science, encouraging media houses to avoid pigeonholing women into specific narratives.
Informative and Impactful Storytelling: The final criterion assesses the quality, depth, and impact of the storytelling itself. The award honors work that is well-researched, thought-provoking, and capable of driving conversations and policy changes that affect women. It values content that informs the public, sparks dialogue, and challenges harmful societal norms.

Who is eligible for the ReportHer Award?

The ReportHer Award, presented by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), honors Nigerian journalists who excel in reporting on issues affecting women and girls. Eligibility is open to Nigerian professional reporters or teams—whether full-time or freelance—who are 18 years or older.

Applicants must have published or broadcast stories in Nigerian media outlets, including print, online, or electronic platforms, with content primarily targeted at and received by a Nigerian audience.

To qualify, entries should focus on women’s issues, gender equity, or the representation of women in society. The work must demonstrate ethical reporting, courage, individual creativity, and public benefit.

Submissions are evaluated based on the quality of investigation, evidence, human rights elements, and overall impact. The stories should have been first published or broadcast within a specified timeframe, typically outlined in the award’s annual call for entries.

By recognizing journalists who bring attention to women’s experiences and challenges, the ReportHer Award aims to promote gender-sensitive storytelling and encourage media professionals to highlight women’s contributions to society.

This initiative supports the development of journalism that reflects diverse perspectives and fosters a more inclusive media landscape in Nigeria.

Looking Ahead

The success of the inaugural ReportHer Awards marks a significant step toward fostering gender equality in Nigeria’s media space.

It has set a precedent for future editions, with organizers already announcing plans to expand the awards to include photojournalists—those who are intentionally using their platforms to enhance female representation and shed light on women’s issues through powerful visuals.

This planned expansion reflects the growing recognition that all forms of media play a crucial role in shaping public discourse and challenging gender stereotypes.

By honoring those who champion women’s stories, the ReportHer Awards inspire a new standard for inclusive journalism, where every voice is heard, and every story is told with fairness, accuracy, and respect.

Congratulations to all the winners for their remarkable work in amplifying women’s voices and advancing the rights of women and girls through media visibility. Their dedication paves the way for a more equitable, informed, and just society.

FAQs

What is the ReportHer Award?

The ReportHer Award is an initiative that recognizes and celebrates Nigerian journalists and media organizations who demonstrate a commitment to gender-balanced reporting. It honors those who amplify women’s voices, use women as sources, and challenge stereotypes in their coverage of news and stories.

Who organizes the ReportHer Award?

The ReportHer Award is organized by Women Radio 91.7 FM in collaboration with the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ). The award is also supported by UN Women and the Government of Canada.

Who is eligible for the ReportHer Award?

Journalists and media organizations across Nigeria are eligible. This includes those working in television, radio, print, digital platforms, and even individual journalists who demonstrate excellence in gender-sensitive reporting.

What are the award categories?

The ReportHer Award features categories such as:
Television, Radio, Print, Digital, Individual Journalist (ReportHer Journalist of the Year), Future editions will also include a Photojournalist category.

Why is the ReportHer Award important?

The ReportHer Award is important because it promotes gender equality in media by encouraging fair, inclusive, and ethical reporting. It inspires journalists to tell women’s stories with respect, accuracy, and depth, helping shift public perceptions and drive positive social change.

ReportHer Awards: Honoring Women’s Representation in Media

Who organizes the ReportHer Award?

Why This Award is Important