(Borneo Post; February 19, 2011)

KUCHING:Sarawak Information Systems Sdn. Bhd. (SAINS) in collaboration with the Chief Minister’s Office, is once again calling for entries from journalists and writers in Sarawak for the upcoming 4rd Sarawak Chief Minister’s ICT Media Awards Competition.

This annual event, under the patronage of the Chief Minister of Sarawak, YAB Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, was established to encourage journalists and writers to address ICT related topics and promote the usage of ICT, and awareness of its importance, for the socio-economic development of Sarawak.

The contest is divided into 2 categories, the print media and the broadcast media. Entries can be in English, Bahasa Melayu or Chinese. The entries must be published articles or materials broadcast over radio or television from January 2010 to December 2010.

The number of prizes has tripled this year with 12 cash prizes up for grabs. The top three print articles in each language will receive cash prizes as well as certificates of recognition from the Chief Minister of Sarawak. For the broadcast media category, cash prizes along with certificates will be presented to the three best pieces aired over radio or television in any of the three languages.

The competition is open to all media practitioners (reporters, editors and journalists) from the print and broadcast media industry. All entries must be in the form of either features, news articles, feature reporting or documentaries on ICT related subjects printed in either local newspapers or aired over local radio or television in Sarawak by a licensed media organization.

Entries will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Journalistic quality – clear, imaginative and error-free features appropriate to the general audience in Sarawak

• Communication impact - significance in increasing public knowledge and understanding of ICT, especially its economic benefits

• Objectivity – well researched, valid and accurate information free of undue commercial or political bias

Judges for the event will be comprised of representatives from SAINS, UNIMAS, ICTU and AZAM.

All entries must reach the SAINS office by 31st March 2011, 5pm.

Please send your entries along with the attached Entry Form to: -

THE SECRETARIAT

The Sarawak Chief Minister's ICT Media Awards

Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd

Sublot 31, 1st Floor, Stutong Parade, Jalan Setia Raja

93350 Kuching, Sarawak

Information on the competition, rules and regulations, as well as the entry form can be downloaded from the SAINS website at www.sains.com.my