CATEGORIES
The Awards celebrate the UK's most talented journalists and publications, offering recognition across 35 categories, including new ones for emerging talent, digital innovation, and diversity reporting.
Individual Awards
Young Journalist of the Year
Open to journalists aged 26 or under on 31 December 2024. Entries can include work from any journalistic discipline. The award is supported by the Cecil King Memorial Foundation and the winner will receive a £5,000 bursary to be used for travel to research an agreed article or series of articles for their title.
Additional Information:
- The winner’s proposed topic(s)/travel plan will be agreed with the Foundation in advance of payment of the bursary and in advance of any travel
- The Foundation encourages the recipient to think about an area (including both journalistic discipline and geographical area) which is outside the areas they are otherwise familiar with
- The Foundation suggests that the travel should cover a period of not less than 3 – 4 weeks
- Travel costs can include travel and transport, accommodation and living costs/subsistence
- The nominating Editor or newspaper will be expected to enable the Award recipient to take the required time to be able to make use of the bursary, including time away from normal duties/roles and opportunity to travel
- Where possible the bursary – and associated travel – should be used within 12 months of
receipt of the Award.
Business and Finance Journalist of the Year
Open to reporters, interviewers and commentators who write about economics, finance, business or personal finance. Judges will look for the ability to break news, predict trends, analyse topics or explain issues to a general audience.
Political Journalist of the Year
Open to either reporters or commentators on political matters in the UK or globally. Judges will look for the ability to break news, predict trends, analyse topics or explain issues to a general audience.
Foreign Reporter of the Year
For journalists working in a foreign country or countries, on behalf of a UK news organisation. Judges will look for clarity of reporting, ability to break news and evidence of the ability to make contacts in foreign markets.
Showbiz Reporter of the Year
Open to journalists, interviewers and commentators who write about show business. Judges will be looking for the best scoops and most informed writing in show business which includes the worlds of stage, screen, TV and the music industry.
Science and Technology Journalist of the Year
For journalists specialising in science and/or technology. Judges will look for the ability to explain complex concepts with authority and clarity, the ability to break news and consistently high standards of originality and creativity.
Health Journalist of the Year
For journalists specialising in health-related topics. Judges will look for the ability to explain complex concepts with authority and clarity, the ability to break news and consistently high standards of originality and creativity.
Environment Journalist of the Year
For journalists specialising in environmental topics. Judges will look for the ability to explain complex concepts with authority and clarity, the ability to break news and consistently high standards of originality and creativity.
Travel Journalist of the Year
Open to journalists covering travel across all forms, including news and analysis, features or reviews. Judges will look for originality, a deep understanding of the topic and consistently high standards of writing.
Data Journalist of the Year
For journalists who are making use of the wealth
of data and information that is now available to newsrooms. It could be using their skills to mine data bases for that nugget of information that cracks a story wide open, or fantastic use of FOI, or tracking down and interpreting facts for readers in a way that uncovers an unexpected insight into an important story.
The Hugh Mcilvanney Award for Sports Journalist of the Year
For news writers, match reporters, feature writers, interviewers and columnists. Entries may be from a variety of sports or a single sport. Judges will look for consistently high quality writing, agenda-setting reporting and originality in presentation.
Specialist Journalist of the Year
Open to journalists who specialise in a topic not covered by any other category, such as: the British Royal Family, Education, Arts, Food, Gardening, Motoring, Defence or Fashion. Judges will be looking for a mastery of the topic, originality and flair in writing and a track record of tackling important topics.
Interviewer of the Year
For interviewers across all topics, styles and channels. The key attributes judges will consider are the ability to get under the skin of the interviewee, turn an interview into an engaging and enjoyable piece of writing and, where relevant, to find a news angle or a brilliant hook.
Please note the judges will consider awarding two winners, one for tabloid titles and one for broadsheet titles. This will take place entirely at the judges’ discretion based on the entries received, and entrants will not be notified in advance of any such decision.
Columnist of the Year
For columnists across all topics, styles and channels. The winner will be a writer who is a must-read, with a distinctive style and the ability to provoke debate and change perceptions among readers.
Please note the judges will consider awarding two winners, one for tabloid titles and one for broadsheet titles. This will take place entirely at the judges’ discretion based on the entries received, and entrants will not be notified in advance of any such decision.
Critic of the Year
This category is open to reviews and criticism across any area of journalism – from theatre, music and others cultural forms to food, motoring or technology. The winner will be a writer who can enlighten, entertain and bring knowledge and substance to their work.
Feature Writer of the Year
This award covers all forms of long-form journalism, from colour writing to news analysis, background pieces or profiles. Judges will look for an ability to impart original insight and key information as well as the ability to entertain and impress through quality writing.
Please note the judges will consider awarding two winners, one for tabloid titles and one for broadsheet titles. This will take place entirely at the judges’ discretion based on the entries received, and entrants will not be notified in advance of any such decision.
News Reporter of the Year
This award recognises excellence in reporting. The winner will demonstrate a track record of breaking exclusives, expertly researched stories and quality writing. Tenacity, flair and investigative skill will all score highly.
Cartoonist of the Year
Open to pocket cartoons strips, caricatures, political cartoons and illustrations. Judges will look for cartoons that stand out from the crowd and are relevant to the context they appear in, be they illuminating the news agenda or adding colour to features.
Photographer of the Year
This category is open to news or features photographers. Judges will be looking for versatility in style and subject matter, technical skills and the ability to capture images that stand out from the pack.
Sports Photographer of the Year
This category is open to sports photographers. Judges will be looking for versatility in style and subject matter, technical skills and the ability to capture images that stand out from the pack.
Team Awards
Investigation of the Year
This award goes to a body of work that lifts the lid
on an important, shocking or under-reported topic. It is open to either individuals or teams, across either a single article or multiple articles, with an emphasis on exclusivity, impact and investigative ability.
Scoop of the Year
This category is open to stories, or multiple stories, on a topic that draws the envy of the rest of the journalistic profession. It can be entered by individuals or teams, with judges looking for exclusivity and impact above all else.
News Website of the Year
Judges will examine all aspects of a news website, either associated with a print publication or a standalone digital brand. They will be looking for strong presentation, innovation across both content and technology, and the depth and originality of digital coverage, as well as user experience.
News Podcast of the Year
This award is open to podcasts covering news, politics or current affairs, whether associated with a print brand or a standalone entity. Judges will look for quality
of presentation, originality of content, knowledge
of presenters and correspondents, and an ability to understand and connect with the audience.
Best Audience Engagement Initiative of the Year
This award aims to reward initiatives which drive measurable increases in audience engagement. That could be social media, a newsletter, app or other piece of digital infrastructure, a campaign or community-led initiative, or any combination of the above. The key for judges will be demonstrating how it measurably increased readership and deepened readers' engagement with the title.
Supplement of the Year
This award is open to any publication published as part of a newspaper, at any regularity and in any format. Judges will look at quality of content, use of design and photography and readability, as well as suitability of content for the target audience, brand and alignment with the broader parent publication.
Front Page of the Year
An award celebrating the most memorable and impactful front page published in print during the eligibility period. Judges will look for originality, clarity and most of all immediate impact.
Please note the judges will consider awarding two winners, one for tabloid titles and one for broadsheet titles. This will take place entirely at the judges’ discretion based on the entries received, and entrants will not be notified in advance of any such decision.
Campaign of the Year
This award is open to all titles, and can be entered
by individuals or teams. It celebrates campaigns that capture the nation’s attention and achieve tangible results. Judges will be looking for the importance of the cause, the originality of the approach and the end result.
Excellence in Diversity Award
An award celebrating a news brand that is committed to diversity and inclusion, both in its approach to editorial recruitment and talent management and in its editorial output. Entrants for this award should provide examples of journalism which has played a significant role in creating awareness of issues of diversity in the UK, be this through news reports, campaigns, features or interviews. They should also provide evidence of a commitment to diversity in the newsroom, including initiatives that impact on recruitment, retention, talent management and representation. Judges will be looking for evidence of a senior-level commitment to diversity and a coordinated attempt to demonstrate it through both editorial and employment practices, as well as evidence of its impact.
Best Commercial Partner
This award is open to business and individuals who are suppliers to the national press and can demonstrate the value they have added to a media brand, whether via a technological solution, provision of editorial or multimedia services (such as podcasts or video), marketing, commercial support or strategic advice.
Entrants should supply a citation of up to 200 awards to give a brief snapshot of the entry.
Entrants should submit two written submissions, one which will be a one page of A4 in which should include clear details of the level and nature of the partner's involvement with a specific brand or brands, the results of that partnership. The second written citation should be from a named individual at the brand itself.
The entry can be supplemented by links, videos, data or additional testimonials. Entrants will be looking for a clear alignment between the commercial partner and the media brand, evidence of how they worked seamlessly together, and clear outcomes that benefited the brand and its readers.
Organisations Award
Daily Newspaper of the Year
An award for the newspaper that has made the most impact and provided the most high-quality, original and innovative coverage of events during the eligible period. This award will be judged on the quality not just of front page stories or scoops but on coverage of news, foreign affairs, business, sport and lifestyle, with attention paid to quality of features and supplements as well as design and use of photography and a distinct and successful digital strategy encompassed by a thriving website.
Sunday Newspaper of the Year
An award for the newspaper that has made the most impact and provided the most high-quality, original and innovative coverage of events during the eligible period. This award will be judged on the quality not just of front page stories or scoops but on coverage of news, foreign affairs, business, sport and lifestyle, with attention paid to quality of features and supplements as well as design and use of photography and a distinct and successful digital strategy encompassed by a thriving website.