WildAid, in partnership with Gabon’s Ministry of Communications and Media, launched an appeal for entries for the first edition of the Gabon Environmental Journalism Awards on Wednesday, to celebrate journalists who demonstrate excellence in reporting about the environment.
This landmark initiative will recognize and celebrate the work of journalists who use the power of storytelling to highlight the urgency of protecting Gabon’s extraordinary forests, wildlife and marine ecosystems.
The awards are designed to amplify the voices of conservation, promote a culture of environmental responsibility, and inspire citizens and decision-makers alike to act for a sustainable future.
WildAid and the Ministry of Communications and Media also hope to encourage more journalists to engage with environmental issues and the environmental challenges facing this country.
Submissions are invited across six categories:
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Best marine or coastal conservation story (in any media group, including print/online/TV/radio)
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Best forestry and/or wildlife conservation story (print/online/TV/radio)
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Best environmental investigation story (print/online/TV/radio)
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Best TV story on an environmental topic
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Best radio story on an environmental topic
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Environmental photo of the year
In order to qualify, entrants must be Gabonese nationals and their stories must be accessible to people in Gabon. Stories must have been published between April 30, 2025, and May 1, 2026.
To apply, candidates can click on this link and fill out an application form.
Winners will be selected by a mixed jury of Gabonese and international experts in environmental journalism. They will receive a cash prize of 450,000 XAF and an engraved trophy, which will be presented at a special awards ceremony next June.
By acknowledging high-quality environmental journalism, WildAid aims to amplify stories that matter: the communities defending nature, the ecosystems under threat, the solutions emerging in Gabon and the region. Good journalism is vital in shaping public debate, influencing policy and flipping the script so that nature is no longer a silent victim.
WildAid believes that this prize will catalyze a new wave of storytelling in Gabon: one where the forest, coast and wildlife are not only conservation issues but national stories, told in local languages, by local voices, and reaching both national and global audiences.
The awards were funded by the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.