2006 Binhi Awards expanded to include nine categories

To recognize the valuable role and contribution of journalists in the development of the agriculture, fishery and environment sectors, the Philippine Agricultural Journalists, Inc. (PAJ), in cooperation with corporate and institutional sponsors, has been sponsoring a journalism contest known as Binhi Awards since 1976.

This year’s contest covers nine categories, which include: agricultural journalist, agribeat reporter, environment journalist, environment story, photojournalist, agricultural magazine, newsletter, info/media campaign, and radio program.

PAJ president Sanny Galvez said the 2005-2006 Binhi awardees will receive cash and trophies, totaling P400,000. They will be known during the PAJ’s 30th anniversary on Sept. 15, at a venue to be announced later.

Winners in four individual categories–agri journalist, environment, agribeat and environment story–will receive cash prizes, at P30,000, P20,000 and P15,000 for the first, second and third placers, respectively. Winners in other categories–such as photojournalist, agri magazine, newsletter, info/media campaign, and radio program–will receive a cash prize of P20,000 each.

The PAJ will also confer special citations to major national newspapers that publish regular agriculture/environment section, and television producers/stations that broadcast an agri-related TV program, said Noel Reyes, Binhi Awards committee chair and PAJ vice president for external affairs.

Binhi contestants are enjoined to submit their respective entries on or before July 14, 2006. All entries should be published, aired or launched during the contest period, from Jan. 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006. The requirements for each category are:

•Agricultural Journalist, Agribeat Reporter, Environment Journalist — original clippings or photocopies of at least 12 best published articles;

•Photojournalist — at least 12 published B/W or colored photos with captions;

•Environment Story — one published full-length article, feature or special report;

•Agri Magazine & Newsletter — five sets of 12 issues (if monthly) or three issues (if quarterly);

•Info/Media Campaign — five sets of info/media campaign paraphernalia (program brief, poster, flyer, brochure, radio/TV ad, and preferably campaign results review); and

•Radio Program — five cassette tapes with scripts of at least five best episodes.

All entries should be accompanied with a covering or nomination letter signed by the editor, head of agency or institution, and submitted to: The PAJ Binhi Awards Committee c/o Department of Agriculture-AFIS, Elliptical Rd., Diliman, QC.

No entry fees are needed. However, non-PAJ members are required to pay P200 for their annual and membership fees. For inquiries, call 920-4080 or 920-0588 c/o Rheeda or Alice.

Founded in 1976, PAJ is composed of agriculture and environment editors, reporters, correspondents from mainstream media, and info/media officers and staff from government and private agencies, and industry associations. It is an affiliate of the Asian Agricultural Journalists and Writers Association (AAJWA) and the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ).