Google is looking for new ways to create, discuss and share news through its 1-million dollar competition dubbed African News Innovation Challenge (ANIC).
The challenge launched yesterdaywill grant winners between US$12,000 and US$100,000.
ANIC is aimed at encouraging African journalism through digital innovation and finding new ways to make quality journalism sustainable.
The challenge, which seeks to support digital innovation and experimentation in Africa, Google says, also seeks to improve the quality and impact of African journalism using new digital tools that would enable audiences to engage with news.
Google says this could include new revenue or production models, new ways to gather and produce news, or new ways to reach audiences.
“Most importantly, we are looking for ideas that can be scaled across the continent, or that can be replicated elsewhere, to create maximum impact. We will also give preference to ideas that seek to solve real world challenges facing Africa’s media,” Google stated.
Google is already working with different newsrooms and foundations to help realize the potential of online journalism. They include Omidyar Network, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the US State Department, the Konrad Adenheur Stiftung, and the World Association of Newspapers and News Producers.
“Omidyar Network is delighted to be supporting the African News Innovation Challenge,” acknowledged Stephen King, partner at Omidyar Network.
Applicants can submit their proposals and ideas on the website: www.africannewschallenge.org. Deadline for submissions is July 10, 2012.
Google will announce the finalist on Aug. 10 and the winners on Nov. 10.
