Categories and Criteria: Digital Journalism

Newspaper Radio Television Magazines Digital Any Medium Student Awards
(click on categories for descriptions and judging criteria)

This new category will recognize digital only platform news organizations that utilize long form journalism, combined with compelling graphics, photographs, videos and/or audio, as the primary means of telling a story and connecting with their audience. Entries will showcase work that goes beyond the daily news fare to deliver deeper, more insightful coverage of issues.

Entries will be judged on the depth of coverage, difficulty in telling the story, reader engagement through photos, graphics or video/audio, and use of digital media and social media tools to reach, engage and inform audiences. Entries may consist of a single story or a series of related stories.

Evaluation Scale / Main Factors

30% Entries which display initiative and show enterprise in journalism, going beyond the obvious, the ordinary, and the expected

30% The online presentation/ Clarity and style

30% The difficulty of the story.

10% Resources used by the journalists

This new category will recognize any news organizations delivering daily content to an unanticipated event in a digital only environment. Entries will be judged on the quality of journalism and the use of digital media and social media tools to reach, engage and inform audiences.

Entries may consist of a single daily edition or specific topic or issue.. Entries should include any related photos, video, graphics, audio and links.

A letter outlining in brief the content, resources utilized and impact of publication may be included.

Evaluation Scale / Main Factors

30% Degree of difficulty – logistical and other challenges experienced in getting and filing the story, including deadlinepressure.

30% Comprehensiveness and quality of information.

30% The quality of writing and the online presentation

10% Resources used by the journalists.