8th OFAB Media Awards Crowns JLC NEWS Editor Jim Israel Mwanda Overall Winner: JLC News Shines at Continental level
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JLC News Editor Jim Israel Mwanda wins big at the 8th OFAB Media Awards, emerging as Digital Media Winner and Overall 8th Continental Champion. A milestone moment for African science journalism, digital media credibility, and the fight against misinformation.
JLC News Editor Jim Israel Mwanda has etched his name into the continent’s media history, clinching two major awards — Digital Media Winner and 8th Overall Winner at the OFAB Media Awards — adding to his earlier national accolade as Kenya’s second runners-up. His victory celebrates a rare blend of scientific clarity, digital excellence, and journalistic courage at a time when misinformation threatens Africa’s information ecosystem.
In a defining moment for African journalism, JLC News Editor Jim Israel Mwanda lit up the continental stage on 21st November 2025, clinching two highly coveted honors at the 8th Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Media Awards.
He won Best Digital Media Journalist and later emerged among the most distinguished journalists of the continent — the Overall 8th OFAB Media Awards Winner. These triumphs add to his earlier national recognition as Kenya’s second runners-up, cementing his status as one of East Africa’s most compelling voices in science and digital reporting.
The OFAB Media Awards, powered by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in collaboration with ISAAA AfriCenter, spotlight excellence in science journalism across ten African countries. They honor journalists whose work bridges scientific innovation with public understanding — particularly in agricultural biotechnology, a sector central to Africa’s journey toward food security and sustainable development.
Mwanda’s recognition places him among a select group of journalists shaping the narrative around Africa’s agricultural transformation. His reporting has consistently cut through scientific complexity, translating dense research into accessible, culturally grounded storytelling that empowers farmers, youth, and communities navigating the fast-shifting agricultural landscape.
Speaking to the Editorial Board moments after receiving his awards for the second time, Jim delivered a statement that is already resonating across the continent:
“African journalism has entered an era where digital media is not just a platform — it is a responsibility. When accuracy becomes our compass, digital storytelling becomes a force that protects democracy, elevates science, and strengthens our continent’s future.”
During his short but heartfelt speech at the award ceremony, he thanked his supporters, the JLC News team, and acknowledged the journey that led him to this point:
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“First, I thank the team that enabled me to be here. I thank God, for He alone made this possible.The journey was not easy — I carried the duty of breaking down scientific jargon into something palatable for the public, line upon line, precept upon precept.I see life like the three sides of a coin: the front face where everyone looks, the back face where the unseen work happens, and the edge — where everything unfolds. I choose the edge.”
His metaphor drew applause, echoing the everyday reality of journalists who stand at the delicate edge between truth and perception, clarity and chaos, fact and fear.
A Win for Digital Media in an Era of Disinformation
This year’s awards carry deeper meaning. Across Africa, digital misinformation continues to threaten public health, agriculture, governance, and social cohesion. Jim’s triumph is therefore symbolic — it demonstrates that digital journalism, when anchored in integrity, expertise, and transparency, can restore trust and amplify credible narratives.
His win also reinforces JLC News’ rising influence in the regional and global media space, proving that young, independent African newsrooms can compete — and win — alongside the continent’s established media institutions.
A Milestone for JLC News and East African Storytelling
With this achievement, JLC News not only celebrates its Editor but the broader mission it champions: truth, innovation, and community-centered reporting.
As Jim stood on that continental stage, decorated among the best science journalists in Africa, the message was clear — JLC News is stepping into a new era of regional leadership.
At the newsroom, the message is simple:
“At JLC, we say congratulations, Jim.”
And if there was ever a moment to leave the audience with something unforgettable, here it is:
“This is not just my win — it is a reminder that Africa’s stories, when told with courage and clarity, can move nations, reframe narratives, and light pathways for the next generation of storytellers.”
