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Student Awards

SPOT NEWS REPORTING -- Print, TV and Radio

In this category, there will be three finalists for each of the media, and an overall gold winner and two silver winners for each of the media.

These awards, in the opinion of the judges, display the most skill in reporting a breaking news event.

Spot News applies to stories done in response to an unanticipated event.

Two separate entries per journalist or news organization may be submitted as originally published or broadcast in Atlantic Canada. An entry consists of the initial story or package of stories from the first newscast or issue after the event.

Each entry must be accompanied by a short explanation of the story and how it developed. Details should include the story's chronology, and circumstances affecting its gathering and presentation as well as the resources (money and time) available to complete the story.

Review Spot News for specific judging criteria at Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website.

Please see specific entry requirements for each medium:

ENTERPRISE REPORTING -- Print, Television and Radio

In this category there will be three finalists for each of the media and an overall gold winner and two silver winners for each of the media.

These awards, in the opinion of the judges, display initiative and show enterprise in journalism.

Investigative journalism stories are welcome in this category.

Judges will look for enterprising journalism that goes beyond the obvious, the ordinary, the expected, and the regular. They will look for journalism that puts issues in context and in perspective and thereby makes those issues make sense.

Two separate entries per journalist or news organization may be submitted as originally published or broadcast in Atlantic Canada. Entries should include a story, or a series of not more than three related stories, that displays enterprise as well as depth and quality of research. The difficulty of the story or stories will be considered.

Stories can only be entered in one category unless the visual component is being entered in a Photojournalism catergory by a photojournalist.

Each entry must be accompanied by an explanation of the story and how it developed. Details should include the story's chronology and circumstances affecting its gathering and presentation as well as resources (time and money) available to complete the story.

Review Enterprise Reportings at Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website for specific judging criteria.

Please see specific entry requirements for each medium:

CONTINUING COVERAGE -- Print, Television and Radio

In this category there will be three finalists for each of the media with an overall gold winner and two silver winners for each of the media.

These awards, in the opinion of the judges, display tenacity and creativity in continuing coverage of a major developing spot news story.

Two separate entries per journalist or news organization may be submitted as originally published or broadcast in Atlantic Canada. Each entry in Continuing Coverage should include the initial story and up to five subsequent stories over the course of days, weeks, or months. The progression of the initial developing story should be apparent from the follow-up coverage.

Each entry must be accompanied by an explanation of the story, and how it developed. Details should include the story's chronology and circumstances affecting its gathering and presentation as well as resources (time and money) available to complete the story. Most, but not necessarily all, of the coverage must take place in the year in question.

Review Continuing Coverageat Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website for specific judging criteria.

Please see specific entry requirements for each medium:

FEATURE WRITING -- Print, TV and Radio

In this category there will be three finalists for each of the media with an overall gold winner and two silver winners for each of the media.

These awards, in the opinion of the judges, display excellence and creativity in the presentation of feature or human interest stories with journalistic merit.

Two separate entries per journalist or news organization may be submitted as originally published or broadcast in Atlantic Canada. The entry can be the original item plus not more than 3 items, if a series. Stories can only be entered in one category unless the visual component is being entered in a Photojournalism category by a photojournalist.

Each entry in Feature must be accompanied by a short explanation of the story and how it developed. Details should include the story's chronology and circumstances affecting its gathering and presentation as well as resources (time and money) available to complete the story.

Reivew Feature Writingat Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website for specific judging criteria.

Please see specific entry requirements for each medium:

ON LINE NEWS REPORTING

In this category there will be three finalists, one overall gold winner and two silver winners.

This category will recognize on line journalism for a single story from websites of print, radio, or television journalists or their news organizations in Atlantic Canada. The intention is to recognize the use of the on line medium as a news/information vehicle for a single news item. Judges will look at the total package of the on line page(s) including uniqueness of the story to the on line environment, the fullness of information, writing, design, photography, navigation ease, interactivity, information architecture, legibility, links, and other supporting information to inform readers about the story.

The key judging criteria will be "journalistic" merit.

BLOGS should not be included in the submission.

Two entries of a single on line story may be submitted per journalist or news organization. Stories can only be entered in one category unless the visual component is being entered in a Photojournalism category by a photojournalist.

Each entry should be accompanied by a short explanation of the story and how it developed. Details should include the story's chronology and circumstances affecting its gathering and presentation as well as resources available to complete the story.

Entries should be submitted providing an active or archived URL link for judges.

Reivew Online News Reportingat Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website for specific judging criteria.

 

BUSINESS REPORTING -- Any Medium

In this category there will be three business reporting finalists from print, radio or television entries including one overall gold winner and two silver winners.

Each entry can be written/produced by either a single journalist or team of journalists.

The entry may be a single story or a body of work on the same topic, consisting of not more than three pieces, which may include features, columns, news or beat stories, or any three-element combination of these.

Two separate entries per journalist or news organization may be submitted as originally published or broadcast in Atlantic Canada. Stories can only be entered in one category unless the visual component is being entered in a Photojournalism category by a photojournalist.

Each entry must be accompanied by a short explanation of the story and how it developed. Details should include the story's chronology and circumstances affecting its gathering and presentation as well as resources (time and money) available to complete the story.

Review Business Reportingat Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website for specific judging criteria.

Please see specific entry requirements for each medium:

SPORTS REPORTING

In this category there will be three sports reporting finalists honoured from either print, radio or television entries including one overall gold winner and two silver winners.

The selected sports stories, in the opinion of the judges, shall demonstrate excellence, creativity, and journalistic merit in the presentation of a sports story in print, radio or television.

Two separate entries per journalist or news organization may be submitted as originally published or broadcast in Atlantic Canada. Stories can only be entered in one category unless the visual component is being entered in a Photojournalism category by a photojournalist.

A short explanation of the story and how it developed should accompany entries. Details should include the story's chronology and the circumstances affecting its gathering and presentation, as well as the resources available to complete the story.

Review Sports Reporting at Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website for specific judging criteria.

Please see the specific entry requirements for each medium.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT REPORTING

In this category there will be three finalists honoured from print, radio or television entries including an overall gold winner and two silver winners.

The selected entertainment stories, in the opinion of the judges, shall demonstrate excellence, creativity, and journalistic merit in the presentation of an arts and entertainment story in print, radio or television.

Two separate entries per journalist or news organization may be submitted as originally published or broadcast in Atlantic Canada. Stories can only be entered in one category unless the visual component is being entered in a Photojournalism category by a photojournalist.

A short explanation of the story and how it developed should accompany entries. Details should include the story's chronology and the circumstances affecting its gathering and presentation, as well as the resources available to complete the story.

Review Arts & Entertainment at Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website for specific judging criteria.

Please see the specific entry requirements for each medium.

COMMENTARY

In this category there will be three finalists selected from the print, radio, or television entries including an overall gold winner and two silver winners.

This award, in the opinion of the judges, displays outstanding editorial comment in print, television or radio. It may be analytical, interpretive, or humorous, or a combination of such qualities.
One entry may be submitted per journalist and be a single entry, not a series. Items can only be entered in one category unless the visual component is being entered in a Photojournalism category by a photojournalist.

Explanation of the entry should be no more than one 8x11 page.

Entrants must be full-time journalists or freelance journalists

Review Commentary at Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website for specific judging criteria.

Please see specific entry requirements for each medium:

VIDEO JOURNALIST -- Television ("Show of Work")

The Videojournalist "Show of Work" category is for television journalists who are reporter, camera operator and editor.

In this category there will be three finalists including an overall gold winner and two silver winners.

Video journalists may submit one "Show of Work" consisting of up to three different stories broadcast during the year.

The judges will look for entries in which a journalist, acting as reporter, camera operator and editor, displays the most skill in reporting, shooting and editing a news story.

The entry must be submitted as originally broadcast.

Entries should include a short explanation of the stories and how they developed. Details should include the story's chronology and circumstances affecting its gathering and presentation as well as resources (time and money) available to complete the story.

Review Videojournalist at Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website for specific judging criteria.

Please see specific entry requirement for this medium:

PHOTOJOURNALISM SPOT NEWS -- Print and Television

In this category there will be three finalists for each of the media and including an overall gold winner and two silver finalists for each of the media.

These awards, in the opinion of the judges, display creativity in capturing a breaking news event in a photograph or series of photographs, or a video.

Spot news photojournalism or video applies to photographs or videos shot in response to an unanticipated event.

Each entry must be accompanied by a short explanation of the story and how it developed. Details should include the story's chronology and circumstances affecting its gathering and presentation as well as the resources (money and time) available to complete the story.

Review Photojournalism Spot News at Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website for specific judging criteria.

Please see specific entry requirements for each medium:

PHOTOJOURNALISM FEATURE -- Print and Television

In this category there will be three finalists for each of the media, and one overall gold winner and two silver winners for each of the media.

These awards, in the opinion of the judges display excellence and creativity in the visual presentation of feature or human interest stories with journalistic merit.

Each entry must be accompanied by a short explanation of the story and how it developed.  Details should include the story's chronology and circumstances affecting its gathering and presentation as well as resources (time and money) available to complete the story.

For print the entry must be a single original photograph, not a series, and shot during the entry calendar year.  The photograph must have been published in an Atlantic Canadian daily or community newspaper.  No stock shots.

Review Photojournalism Feature at Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website for specific judging criteria.

Please see specific entry requirements for each medium:

EDITORIAL CARTOONING

This award, in the opinion of the judges, displays a visual commentary featuring art and argument, humor and polemic.  The editorial cartoons must have appeared in an Atlantic Canadian daily or community newspaper or magazine.

There will be three finalists for this category including an overall gold winner and two silver winners.

Each individual is allowed to submit one entry consisting of three separate editorial cartoons. The entry will be judged on this "show of work."

Review Editorial Cartooning at Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website for specific judging criteria.

Please see specific entry requirements for this medium:

ATLANTIC MAGAZINE ARTICLE

In this category there will be three finalists honoured from magazine entries and one overall winner. The selected magazine stories combining writing, photography and layout will demonstrate excellence, creativity, and journalistic merit in the presentation of any topic.

The judges will consider these main functions,

  1. the substance of the story
  2. how well the story is told
  3. the creative use of writing, photography and layout in telling the story
  4. resources available to complete the story

Two separate entries per magazine may be submitted as published in Atlantic Canada. A detailed explanation of the story and how it developed should accompany entries. Details should include the story's chronology and the circumstances affecting its gathering and presentation as well as the resources available to complete the story.

Review Atlantic Magazine Article at Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website for specific judging criteria.

Please see the specific entry requirements for magazine.

ATLANTIC MAGAZINE - Best Cover

In this category there will be three finalists honoured from magazine entries and one overall winner. The selected magazine cover will be judged on the overall delivery of the message, eye appeal, journalistic contribution and clarity. The judges will consider these main functions, the strength of the cover in drawing attention to the magazine issue the design, graphic and journalistic merit of the cover resources available to complete the story Two entries per magazine may be submitted as originally published in Atlantic Canada for the calendar year. A detailed explanation of the cover and how it developed should accompany entries. Details should include the covers chronology and the circumstances affecting its presentation as well as the resources available to complete the cover.

Review Atlantic Magazine - Best Cover at Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website for specific judging criteria.

Please see the specific entry requirements for magazine.

ATLANTIC MAGAZINE – Best Profile Article

In this category there will be three finalists honoured from magazine entries and one overall winner. The selected magazine profile stories combining writing and photography will demonstrate excellence, creativity, and journalistic merit in the presentation of the profile. The judges will consider these main functions, the substance of the profile how well the profile is told the creative use of writing, photography and layout in the profile resources available to complete the story Two enteries per magazine may be submitted as originally published in Atlantic Canada for the calendar year. A detailed explanation of the profile article and how it developed should accompany entries. Details should include the articles chronology and the circumstances affecting its gathering and presentation as well as the resources available to complete the profile.

Review Atlantic Magazine - Best Profile Article at Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website for specific judging criteria.

Please see the specific entry requirements for magazine.

BEST PAGE PRESENTATION -- Newspaper

In this category there will be three finalists including an overall gold winner and two silver winners.

The award will recognize excellence in content presentation and layout for a single print page.  This page could be a front page or a section page.

Two entries are allowed per print organization in Atlantic Canada.  Entries may submit a single subject page or multi page entry of a single subject from one issue.

Judges will be asked to review submissions on journalistic merit as well as imaginative and informative design, colour, artistry, text positioning, fonts, typography, clarity, headline drama, impact and photography.

Review Best Page Presentation at Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website for specific judging criteria.

Please see specific entry requirements for this medium:

COMMUNITY REPORTING

In this category there will be three finalists and one overall gold winner and two silver winners.  Entrants should be from community newspapers, radio stations or a community cable television channel in Atlantic Canada.

The Community Reporting award is intended to honour community newspaper journalist in markets that do not have a daily newspaper and journalists from small market radio stations and community cable stations, for a single story or series about an issue important to the local community.  

Judges will recognize the community journalist, the team of community journalists or the news organization for their journalistic excellence in covering an issue important to their community.

For the purpose of this award the media are defined as follows.

  • Print - a weekly or bi-weekly newspaper published in a small market which is not served by a daily newspaper.
  • Radio - a small market radio station which produces items independent of a  larger sister station or network and for their specific community.
  • TV - a community cable channel in a small market.

Two separate entries per journalist or news organization may be submitted as originally published. Stories can only be entered in one category unless the visual component is being entered in a Photojournalism category by a photojournalist.

A short explanation of the story and how it developed should accompany entries. Details should include the story's chronology and the circumstances affecting its gathering and presentation, as well as the resources available to complete the story.

Review Community Reporting at Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website for specific judging criteria.

Please see the specific entry requirements for each medium.

THE JIM MACNEILL NEW JOURNALIST AWARD

In this category there will be three finalists including an overall gold award winner and two silver winners.

These awards are open to journalists in print, radio and television with less than three years experience as a journalist. New journalists nominated in other years, who still fit the three year rule, may reapply as long as they have not been a previous AJAs New Journalist category GOLD award winner. Nominations must be accompanied by a detailed rationale along with a sampling of up to three stories representative of the entrant's body of work.  A recommendation from the news editor/director should be included in the submission.

Emphasis will be placed on journalistic qualities such as enterprise, creativity, persistence, initiative and ingenuity. Judges will look for journalism that provides insight and context to issues of significance.

Students enrolled in journalism or communications programs are not eligible to be nominated for this award.

A new journalist is not excluded from submitting entries in any other award category.

Review The Jim MacNeill New Journalist Award at Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website for specific judging criteria.

Please see specific entry requirements for each medium:

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This single annual award will be presented to an individual or news organization who has demonstrated a lifetime of dedication to journalism excellence in Atlantic Canada.  Nominations for this award can be submitted by anyone to the Atlantic Journalism Awards and the recipient will be selected by the AJAs Board of Directors.

Submit three copies of a 2-3 page letter and three copies of other supporting material outlining why the person or organiztion should be considered for the AJAs Lifetime Achievement Award.

Review Lifetime Achievement Award at Judging Guidelines on the AJAs website for specific judging criteria.

STUDENT AWARDS

PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA SCHOLARSHIP

The Province of Nova Scotia, through their Communications Nova Scotia department, will award a $1,200 scholarship, to a Nova Scotia student studying journalism at a Nova Scotia University or College.  Entry forms will be available early in the New Year.  For more information contact,

Atlantic Journalism Awards
Tel.  902  425-2727 or e-mail  office@AJAs.ca

PROVINCE OF NEW BRUNSWICK SCHOLARSHIP

The Province of New Brunswick, through their Communications New Brunswick department, will award a $1,200 scholarship, to a New Brunswick student studying Journalism/Communication at a New Brunswick University or College.  Entry forms will be available early in the New Year.  For more information contact,

Atlantic Journalism Awards
Tel.  902  425-2727 or e-mail  office@AJAs.ca

LE PRIX D'EXCELLENCE ALIANT EN JOURNALISME ÉTUDIANT

Le Prix d'excellence Aliant en journalisme étudiant a pour but de reconnaître annuellement l'excellence du travail journalistique d'un étudiant ou d'une étudiante du Programme d'information-communication de l'Université de Moncton.

Le gagnant ou la gagnante recevra une bourse de 500 $ en plus d'une plaque de reconnaissance. Il ou elle sera invité à assister à la remise des prix lors du banquet du Atlantic Journalism Award.

ATLANTIC LOTTERY CORPORATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The $500 Atlantic Lotto Prize for Journalism Excellence is presented each year to a graduating journalism student from the University of King's College, for a journalistic work in any medium.

EMERA ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award of $500 will be presented to a student from the Journalism School of St. Thomas University, Fredericton. The prize rewards initiative, maturity, creativity, and professionalism in either course work or independent writing.

AJAs STUDENT PRIZE OF EXCELLENCE

This award of $250 will be presented to a student from the journalism department of Holland College. The prize rewards initiative, maturity, creativity and professionalism in either course work or independent writing.

CNW GROUP PRIZE OF EXCELLENCE

This award of $500 will be presented to a student from the radio and television department of the NSCC Waterfront Campus, Dartmouth. The prize rewards initiative, maturity, creativity, and professionalism in either course work or independent projects.

AJAs STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award of $250 will be presented to a student from the NBCC - Woodstock Campus. The prize rewards initiative, maturity, creativity, and professionalism in either course work or independent writing.