The Online News Association, the world’s largest membership organization of digital journalists, and the University of Miami’s School of Communication today opened the call for entries for the 2013 Online Journalism Awards, emblematic of the best in digital journalism.
Enter the Online Journalism Awards
The deadline for entries is June 21.
Nine of the 29 awards come with a total of $37,500 in prize money, courtesy of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Gannett Foundation, including a new $5,000 award honoring the best in Watchdog Journalism.
As in past years, the 2013 Online Journalism Awards have been slightly modified to keep up with the our rapidly evolving industry. This year, non-English entries will be considered in all categories.
“Some say journalism is in trouble, but we think these awards show the opposite is true,” said Joshua Hatch, OJA chair and Senior Editor for Data and Interactives at The Chronicle of Higher Education. “When we look at what’s happening on digital platforms — from the creation of new user experiences to the power small organizations have in reaching large audiences through their important work — we’re thrilled by what we see. And now that all of our awards are open to entrants of all languages, we can’t wait to discover even more innovative work and share it with our community.”
Here are details on new developments this year:
Non-English: In the past, the OJAs have had exclusive categories for non-English entries to provide a spotlight on work being done beyond the North American shores. This year, reflecting ONA’s growing global membership, all categories are open to entries of all languages.
New category: The Gannett Foundation Award for Watchdog Journalism, along with its $5,000 prize, will honor work that keeps tabs on authority through objective, neutral, fair and impartial coverage. Just as the Knight Award for Public Service and the Gannett Foundation Award for Innovative Investigative Journalism highlight serving one’s community and enterprising investigations, respectively, this new award will reward the efforts of journalists keeping an eye on those in power.
Student: There are now two categories specifically for students — one for individuals and small teams and a second for larger group projects that involve four or more students. Entry fees for ONA member students also have been lowered to $15 in these two categories.
Deadlines: The 2013 OJAs are open to work published between June 16, 2012, and June 15, 2013. Applicants are invited to submit their work on journalists.org until Friday, June 21, 2013, at 11:59 p.m. ET after reading the Rules & Eligibility and category descriptions.
Judging: The finalists and the winners will be selected through a two-step process. A group of 24 industry-leading journalists and new media professionals team up in pairs to rank finalists in each category. In September, 12 of those judges will convene to select winners.
What hasn’t changed? The OJA’s remain committed to highlighting and rewarding the best, most innovative and most informative journalism being produced around the world. So, enter your best work and join us to celebrate in Atlanta at the Awards ceremony on Sat., Oct. 19.
The OJAs are the only comprehensive set of journalism prizes honoring excellence in digital journalism, administered by ONA and its academic partner, the University of Miami’s School of Communication. Following tradition, this year’s honorees will be announced on the final night of ONA13, the Online News Association Conference and Awards Banquet, Oct. 17-19, at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta.
For the complete list of 2012 winners, visit journalists.org.