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Categories 2023
Categories 2024
Extended Closing Date 10th Sept. 2024 at 23:59
Business Journalist
This award is for the best business journalist who has shown consistent excellence in writing, reporting, analysis or commentary across print and/or digital channels. Examples of work can include stories about unreported major business developments, the fortunes of significant companies, mergers and acquisitions, links between politics and business etc, whose significance and importance is readily recognisable by a writer’s peers as well as by the general public. Please enter up to 3 work samples in PDF format OR via online link. This category is open only to individual entrants.
Campaigning Journalism
This category can only be entered by the Editor. The category is designed to highlight and honour the vital role of campaigning journalism in the public interest. Each title is entitled to nominate one entry (chosen by the Editor) which must be accompanied by a 200-300 word description detailing the campaign’s impact, originality and how journalism has been used to further the campaign’s objectives and outcome. Please note that stories do not necessarily need to be branded a ‘campaign’ – rather they are open to any story which engages with readers and advocates a change that is clearly in the public interest and where publication results in the mobilisation of support (public and/or political) for the subject matter highlighted by the campaign. As this award relates to a body of work, entrants are entitled to submit up to three examples which can also include examples of social media or any other digital activity which supports the campaign. As long as the majority of the entry was published within the eligibility period, you can also supply content published outside the eligibility period if it helps to give it context. Please enter up to 3 work samples in PDF format OR via online link.
Columnist (Broadsheet/Compact)
This category covers opinion writing and other columnists whose work is addressed to a broadsheet readership and can include any subject not catered for specifically by other categories: lifestyle, climate, health, current/social affairs, etc. the award is for the columnist whose writing is considered the most powerful and impactful. As this award relates to a body of work, entrants are entitled to submit up to three examples in PDF format of what they consider to be their best work. Please enter up to 3 work samples in PDF format OR via online link.
Columnist (Popular)
This category also covers opinion writing in all its forms but is stylistically addressed to the readership of a popular/tabloid newspaper or news site. It can cover any subject not catered for specifically by other categories: lifestyle, climate, health, social/current affairs, etc. The award should simply be for the columnist whose writing is considered the most powerful and impactful. As this award relates to a body of work, entrants are entitled to submit up to three examples in PDF format of what they consider to be their best work. Please enter up to 3 work samples in PDF format OR via online link.
Crime Journalist
This award is for the best crime journalist who has shown consistent excellence in reporting and uncovering scoops, as well as providing analysis or commentary. This category includes both crime news and features. As this award relates to a body of work, entrants are entitled to submit up to three examples in PDF format of what they consider to be their best work. Open only to individual entrants. Please enter up to 3 work samples in PDF format OR via online link.
Arts Journalism & Criticism
Entries to this category can include profiles of artists, interviews, features, and analysis of arts issues. Entries may also include reviews of films, books, TV, radio, entertainment, theatre, art and dance. Judges will consider critical thinking, depth of knowledge, and original and engaging storytelling. As this award relates to a body of work, entrants are entitled to submit up to three examples in PDF format of what they consider to be their best work. Open only to individual entrants. Please enter up to 3 work samples in PDF format OR via online link.
Features (Broadsheet/Compact)
This category is designed primarily for articles other than news reports or columns which give broadsheet readers insights into and information about topics, themes, personalities or trends that are significant for other reasons and are appropriate to this particular readership in style and substance. It is also for articles that offer descriptive writing of a high order which therefore contribute significant added value for the reader. As this award relates to a body of work, entrants are entitled to submit up to three examples in PDF format of what they consider to be their best work.Open only to individual entrants. Please enter up to 3 work samples in PDF format OR via online link.
Features (Popular)
This category is designed primarily for articles other than news reports or columns which give readers of popular/tabloid newspapers and news websites insights into and information about topics, themes, personalities or trends that are significant for other reasons and are appropriate to this particular readership in style and substance. It is also for articles that offer descriptive writing of a high order which therefore contribute significant added value for the reader. As this award relates to a body of work, entrants are entitled to submit up to three examples in PDF format of what they consider to be their best work. Open only to individual entrants. Please enter up to 3 work samples in PDF format OR via online link.
Foreign coverage
This category is for news or feature articles about events, people or developments abroad generated primarily or exclusively for the title in which they appear, and can be either by staff writers, by free-lance contributors, or by teams of writers covering significant events or news stories abroad. Material submitted must be from journalists submitting work to Irish publications or Irish editions and cognisant of Irish audiences. As this award relates to a body of work, entrants are entitled to submit up to three examples in PDF format of what they consider to be their best work. Open only to individual entrants. Please enter up to 3 work samples in PDF format OR via online link.
Front Page
This is fundamentally a design category for a page as a whole, i.e. not just a headline, which is catered for in another category. A maximum of three front page entries per title can be entered. Please enter up to 3 work samples in PDF format ONLY.
Headline
This is self-explanatory: the key is impact – the kind of headline that evokes the “must-read” reaction. It does not need to be a main page headline. A maximum of three headline entries per title can be entered. Please enter up to 3 work samples in PDF format OR via online link.
Investigative journalism
This is for an individual or team-based article or series which provides in-depth and previously unpublished information about a political, economic or social issue of demonstrable public interest and value. Open to individuals or group entries. Please enter up to 3 work samples in PDF format OR via online link.
Journalist of the Year
The prize-winner in this category will be chosen by the judges from among the individual prize-winners in any of the other categories forming part of the competition. The winner will be entitled both to their individual award and to this overall award.
Magazine of the Year
This category honours newspaper magazines published weekly, monthly or at other regular intervals throughout the year. Entries will be judged on outstanding content, design, originality, use of photography and journalistic excellence. Please note, this category is not open to commercial supplements or one- off supplements. Please enter 2 examples. Please enter up to 2 work samples in PDF format OR via online link.
Political journalist
This award is for the best political journalist who has shown consistent excellence in writing, reporting, analysis or commentary. Examples include stories on unexpected or unknown political developments, the unanticipated outcomes of political decisions, and significant changes in political organisations or alignments – whose significance and importance is readily recognizable by a writer’s peers as well as by the general public. Please enter up to three examples of your work. Please enter up to 3 work samples in PDF format OR via online link.
Showbiz Journalist
This award is for the journalist who has shown consistent excellence in showbiz reporting and writing, as well as tenacity and skill in probing the world of showbiz and entertainment. Please enter up to three examples of your work. Please enter up to 3 work samples in PDF format OR via online link.
News Reporter
This category is designed for news reporting in the widest sense: it can include specialist as well as general journalists other than those specifically catered for by other categories. As this award relates to a body of work, entrants are entitled to submit up to three examples of what they consider to be their best work. Open only to individual entrants. Please enter up to 3 work samples in PDF format OR via online link.
Digital Innovation of the Year
This award recognises new and innovative ways of digital storytelling and gathering and presenting news. Each entry must comprise of one example of digital excellence/ innovation which has been launched in the past year Judges will be looking for new and innovative methods of storytelling and audience engagement, without losing sight of the core quality of great journalism Team based entries accepted only. No individual entries. A maximum of two entries per news title Entries could include new and innovative ways of gathering and presenting news, clever use of technology and techniques to connect with readers/viewers and hold their attention, techniques including data journalism and animated/moving graphics as well as new formats to present stories. Entries must be supported by a document describing said digital innovation. You can submit up to 3 url links to demonstrate your innovation. You can also upload 1 piece of video / audio and 1 static image. Judging criteria: Effective use of multimedia production techniques such as text, videos/animated explainers, audio, data, images, graphics and good design to tell a story and drive audience engagement. Entries must demonstrate excellence in journalism, an outstanding user experience, and innovative design.
Podcast of the Year
This category is open to all genres of podcast Entrants must provide a one-page statement of support outlining the originality and impact of the podcast, recent highlights, audience engagement , and examples of journalistic excellence. Please enter a sample reel of your podcast up to a maximum of 20 minutes in total.
Scoop
A scoop by definition is a piece of news which is first published in a media outlet in advance of its rivals. The submitted work must not have appeared in any other publication or edition in any form whatsoever and must be signed off by the editor as a scoop. Please enter your Scoop in PDF format OR via online link. Open to individuals or group entries.
Sports Writer (Broadsheet/Compact)
This category will be judged on the basis of up to three articles from any entrant, giving the overall flavour of the best work of the entrant in the period covered by the awards. Please enter 3 work examples . Please enter up to 3 work samples in PDF format OR via online link.
Sports Writer (Popular/Tabloid)
This category will be judged on the basis of up to three articles from any entrant, giving the overall flavour of the best work of the entrant in the period covered by the awards. Please enter up to 3 work samples in PDF format OR via online link.
Best Video Journalism
This category is open to publishers who are creating original video content for their digital platforms. Entries will display exceptional and innovative efforts in reporting or telling stories through video. The award will recognise the video’s exclusivity, impact, and how well it integrates with the digital story. Judges also will give special attention to the originality, innovation and creativity being brought to bear to tell stories. Please submit up to three videos via url link. Entrants must provide a one- page statement of support giving relevant background.
Young
The age criteria for this category is that the journalists concerned should be under 28 on 23rd July 2024 As this award relates to a body of work, entrants are entitled to submit up to three examples of what they consider to be their best work. Please enter up to 3 work samples in PDF format OR via online link.