THE Excellence in Journalism Tanzania (EJAT) Awards Organizing Committee has increased the number of judges to 10 following the introduction of best TV Cameraperson category in the 2012 EJAT Awards to be held on April 5, 2013.

The EJAT 2012 Organizing Committee Chairperson, Mr Kajubi Mukajanga, told journalists in Dar es Salaam that the new category has been introduced because of public demand, saying the organizing committee has appointed a TV journalist, Mr Ngalimecha Ngahyoma.

"Previously, we only had the best photographer category but due to public demand the organizing committee decided to introduce the best TV Cameraperson category," said Mr Mukajanga, who is also the Executive Secretary of the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT).

On Thursday, nine of the ten judges were sworn in before Judge Thomas Mihayo, who is the Chairman of the Ethics Committee of Media Council of Tanzania (MCT). One judge, Mr Attilio Tagalile, could not attend the swearingin ceremony due to an emergence.

The judges include Mr Wence Mushi, (an editor from the Guardian), who will be the Lead Judge, Ms Edda Sanga (Manager of Mlimani Radio and TV stations), Mr Anaclet Rwegayura (veteran journalist), Mwanzo Milinga (seasoned photographer) and Ms Pili Mtambalike (Programme Officer of MCT).

Others are Ms Pudenciana Temba (Editor from the Daily News and Sunday News), Ms Dina Chahali (Editor from Chanel TEN), Mr Yusuf Omar Chunda (Director of Maelezo Department in Zanzibar) and Mr Ngahyoma. Mr Mukajanga said the panel of judges would meet to scrutinize the entries and select winners for various categories.

EJAT awards ceremony will be held on April 5, at Diamond Jubilee Hall and is expected to be graced by the President of Zanzibar, Dr Ali Mohamed Shein. Mr Mukajanga said three new categories were introduced for the 2012 Awards which include agriculture and agri-business, sexual and reproductive health for young people and Best TV camera person.

The awards categories include reporting on business and the economy, children, HIV/AIDS, malaria, people with disabilities, sports and culture, science and technology, gender, good governance and education plus more. According to Mr Mukajanga, there is an open category which accommodates entries which do not fit into any of the prescribed categories.