AGRICULTURAL
WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION OF SA
WHAT
IS THE ASSOCIATION?
The Association is a voluntary, non-profit making
professional body promoting the image and standards of agricultural
journalism in SA. It was established in Pretoria in 1977 and branches
have since been established in the Western Cape, Free State, Natal,
Northern and Eastern Cape.
The association is representative of
agricultural journalists serving the industry on magazines, newspapers,
radio and television, but it also extends qualified membership to
friends of the agricultural media. It remains, however, primarily a
body run by journalists for journalists.
OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION
 | To advance the profession of agricultural
journalism through the stimulation of thought, study, research,
discussion and the dissemination of information to members.
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To nominate and select worthy candidates for its
awards.
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To support and encourage freedom of the Press
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To establish and maintain contact with
journalists in other countries.
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To maintain neutrality in matters of religion
and politics.
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To take appropriate action to safeguard the
status of the profession.
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To maintain close contact with other bodies
serving agriculture.
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To arrange annual competitions for competence in
agricultural journalism and photography.
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HOW DO WE ACHIEVE THIS?
The National Association meets annually to
discuss matters of common concern and to honour its national award winners,
and to elect a national chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and
treasurer. Together with representatives of
the respective branches these four comprise the national
executive.
The national executive meets at least
twice a year to give effect to the decisions of the AGM, attend to
finances and ratify action taken by its action committee.
Branches are
responsible for organising their own activities but consult with the
national executive on matters of common concern. The various branches
find their own sponsors but sponsorships are negotiated at national
level to fund the annual function, finance national executive meetings
and assist smaller branches.
The national chairman maintains contact with
agricultural journalists locally and organisations abroad, through
correspondence and representation at international meetings, such as
the world congress of the IFAJ.
Agricultural
leaders and other experts regularly address branches on relevant topics.
A Farmer and an Agriculturist of the Year are nominated in each region
annually, in accordance with strict criteria, and they are honoured at a
regional level. An independent panel of judges then chooses from these
candidates the national winners who are honoured in one of the big
centres.
