(Enter the Online Journalism awards by submitting an entry here.)
Please note: The contest will close on May 31, 2008. There will be no extensions. Sites created between July 1, 2007 and May 31, 2008 are eligible for submission.
In response to the growth and development of online news since the award's inception in 2000, the Online News Association this year has made several changes in the competition's rules and categories. Two new categories are being introduced. General Excellence in Online Journalism - Non English and Online Video Presentation (see details below).
1. Knight Award for Public Service
This award recognizes digital journalism that performs a public service through compelling coverage of a vital community issue or event. Web sites will be judged on their use of journalistic resources, varied digital techniques and public information to engage a geographic community by reporting on and responding to the issue or event in question. Journalism that makes a difference and moves citizens to improve the place in which they live will be emphasized. The impact of the coverage on the community will be a major factor in the judging. Entries may be a single package or continuing project and may consist of one main URL and up to five supporting URLs. Evidence of results should be provided either as one of the supporting URLs or in the entry description.
One award - $5,000 prize
2. General Excellence in Online Journalism
This category honors a Web site that successfully fulfills its editorial mission, effectively serves its audience, maximizes the use of the Web's characteristics and represents the highest journalistic standards. The sites will be judged on excellence of content, interactivity, rich media, design, navigation and community tools. Entries may consist of one main URL and up to three additional sub-URLs in the same domain (to highlight specific features).
Three awards:
Small: 1-499,999
Medium: 500,000-3,000,000
Large: Over 3,000,000
3. (NEW) General Excellence in Online Journalism, non-English
This category honors a non-English language Web site from anywhere in the world that successfully fulfills its editorial mission, effectively serves its audience, maximizes the use of the Web's characteristics and represents the highest journalistic standards. The sites will be judged on excellence of content, interactivity, rich media, design, navigation and community tools. Entries may consist of one main URL.
Two awards:
Small: 0-999,999
Large: Over 1 million
Note: Entrants must provide the following information in their entry remarks to qualify
- URLs to three examples of original online reporting in the last 12 months that showcase the quality of their online journalism. (A brief summary of the news articles or a URL to a translation would help.)
- Three examples of design and navigation innovation and an explanation of how that has helped users.
- Three examples of creative use of online technology in the last 12 months, ranging from new types of digital journalism, to multimedia, to user interactivity.
- A brief explanation of how they incorporate user-generated content and methods of reaching out to and including the audience in their site.
- URLs to any documentary evidence from professional organizations or peers that support the entry, for instance, awards, special funding, or praise from journalism professionals and online innovators.
4. Breaking News
This category honors digital coverage throughout a 72-hour period of a breaking-news event or development. Judges will weigh evidence -- including screen shots in the first hours after the event -- of exceptional reporting under deadline pressure, clear presentation and creative use of the medium, including updating of and additions to main news elements, within the 72-hour period following the original event. An entry will consist of a single piece, series or package on the same event or development.
Three awards:
Small: 1-499,999
Medium: 500,000-3,000,000
Large: Over 3,000,000
5. Specialty Site Journalism
This category honors niche Web sites that focus on a single topic. (Past winners include sites focused on sports, higher education, woodworking, nature, arts coverage and elections.) Entries will be judged both on their journalism and on their use of the medium. An entry should be a standalone site and not a section of a larger site. It will consist of one URL.
One award
6. Investigative Journalism
This category honors stories that uncover major news based on the reporters' own exclusive investigations or that offer compelling and original analysis and interpretation. Clear presentation, creative use of the medium and a measure of the impact of the publication will be considered. An entry will consist of a single piece, series or package on the same subject.
Two awards:
Small: 0-999,999
Large: Over 1 million
7. Multimedia Feature Presentation
This category honors excellence in telling a story to an online audience using multimedia techniques, including interactive graphics, Flash, photography, audio and video. In addition to the quality of the journalism, emphasis will be placed on visual design and the artful blending of multiple media into a single presentation.
Three awards:
Small: 1-499,999
Medium: 500,000-3,000,000
Large: Over 3,000,000
8. Online Topical Reporting
This category honors ongoing topical ("beat") reporting by an individual or team. (Past winners include space program coverage and defense reporting.) The work should display regular success at breaking news online, ongoing watchdog coverage and clear evidence that a participatory, online community has coalesced around the topic. Creative use of the medium -- especially in the areas of beat blogging, podcasting, vodcasting, crowdsourcing and community journalism -- will be considered. A reporter or team's entry should consist of up to three sample columns, blog posts, articles, video podcasts etc.
Two awards:
Small: 0-999,999
Large: Over 1 million
9. Online Commentary
This category honors a unique and powerful voice of commentary original to the Web. The commentary should display freshness of insight and explanation. Creative use of the medium - especially in the areas of blogging and community journalism and/or commentary - will be considered. A writer's entry may consist of up to three examples. (Print syndication after initial Web posting does not disqualify an entry.)
Three awards:
Small: 1-499,999
Medium: 500,000-3,000,000
Large: Over 3,000,000
10. Outstanding Use of Digital Technologies
This category honors achievement by a site in the use of emerging digital techniques to tell a story and serve a community. Emphasis will be placed on creative use of technology, such as widgets, interactive databases, mashups, digital tools and alternative platforms, such as mobile.
Two awards:
Small: 0-999,999
Large: Over 1 million
11. Student Journalism
This category honors excellence in digital journalism by a student or team reporting on a single story or issue. The work must have appeared originally in a student- or school-based Web site and have been created by full-time student(s) (at the time of publication). Unpublished entries do not qualify.
One award
12. (NEW) Online Video Journalism
This category honors excellence in video journalism original to the Web. Emphasis will be placed on compelling narrative, originality and creative use of the medium. Entries may consist of a single story or up to three examples from a series related to a single topic.
One award
