PRIZE CATEGORIES

Batten Medal 

Prize: $2,500

The Batten Medal each year recognizes exceptional journalism that makes a difference to the lives of people and their communities. It celebrates the memory of revered reporter, editor and newspaper executive James K. Batten. Jim was the chief executive officer of Knight Ridder when he died in 1995 at age 59. The award recognizes a body of work from an individual or team that represents the journalistic values Jim stood for: compassion, courage, humanity and a deep concern for the underdog. The Batten Medal is sponsored by editors from the former Knight Ridder company. 

• Individual or teamwork will be accepted in this category.
• A maximum of 10 pieces may be submitted per entry. This can be a combination of 10 articles/columns or digital/interactive components.
• Digital and interactive components might include (but are not limited to) blogs, social posts, newsletters, video, audio, photo galleries, data visualization tools, etc.
• If it's an individual entry, then up to two of the pieces submitted for judging may include joint bylines or credits where the nominee was the lead or primary writer.
• A nomination letter no more than 500 words may be included to add context to the entry but is not required.
   

Frank A. Blethen Award for Local Accountability Reporting 

Prize: $2,500

Recognizes outstanding work done by a news organization that holds local authorities accountable for actions (or inaction). This award is named in honor of Frank A. Blethen, who has been The Seattle Times publisher and CEO since 1985, and is sponsored by The Seattle Times. The impact of the reporting will be strongly weighted by the judges. Work done over two calendar years (2022 and 2023) may be considered for this category.

• Individual or teamwork will be accepted for this category.
• A maximum of 7 stories or elements may be submitted per entry. Each story in a series will count as one of the 7 elements. Each sidebar will count as one, as well.
• A nominating letter no longer than 500 words may accompany the entry but is not necessary.

Dori J. Maynard Justice Award

Prize: $2,500

Recognizes reporting on social justice issues. Sponsored by the O’Brien Fellowship in Public Service Journalism at Marquette University in Milwaukee, this award is named in memory of Dori J. Maynard, who was a strong advocate for news and newsroom diversity and journalism that addressed injustices. Judges will give weight to journalism that shines a light on ignorance, stereotypes, intolerance, racism, hate, negligence, inequality and systemic obstacles. 

• Individual or teamwork will be accepted in this category.
• The submission may consist of a single or multi day presentation.
• All entries — whether news, features, editorials and columns — will be judged on the quality of the writing, the visual storytelling, the use of digital tools and community engagement.
• Digital components might include (but are not limited to) blogs, social feeds, video, audio, photo galleries, newsletters, data visualization tools and/or other interactive elements.
• A maximum of 7 elements may be submitted per entry.
• A nominating letter no longer than 500 words may accompany the entry but is not necessary.
• As a condition of accepting the award, the primary individual or individuals responsible for the work will agree to visit Marquette, in person or virtually, for a symposium or similar event to engage with students and faculty while sharing their expertise and showing how they produced their award-winning work. All expenses for the visit will be borne by the university.

Deborah Howell Award for Writing Excellence

Prize: $2,500

Recognizes distinguished achievement in writing in any medium. Sponsored by Advance Publications, Inc., this award is dedicated to former editor Deborah Howell who loved compelling writing.

• Individual or teamwork will be accepted in this category.
• Up to 5 stories or items may be submitted in an entry.
• A nominating letter no longer than 500 words may accompany the entry but is not necessary.
   

Mike Royko Award for Commentary and Column Writing

Prize: $2,500 

Recognizes excellence in writing by an individual expressing a personal point of view. Winning entries sometimes come out swinging. Others more quietly pack a punch. Still others present opinions with an understated elegance that, nonetheless, makes the point. The through line? Opinions rooted in deep reporting and fact, and buoyed by thoughtful, multilayered clarity of thought. The award is sponsored by the Chicago Tribune in memory of legendary columnist Mike Royko, who died in 1997. 

• Maximum of 5 articles.
• A nominating letter no longer than 500 words may accompany the entry but is not necessary.

Burl Osborne Editorial and Opinion Award

Prize: $2,500
 
This award recognizes excellence in editorial writing that has made an impact on behalf of a community, resulting in change for the better. Winning entries show muscular, confident writing standing on a foundation of thorough reporting and fair consideration of all sides of an issue. The editorials should hold those in positions of leadership to account. Podcasts, videos and other online engagement tools are encouraged. The award is sponsored by The Dallas Morning News in memory of publisher Burl Osborne, who died in 2012.

• Individual or team efforts will be accepted in this category. Editorials submitted can be the work of the same individual or team and can be signed or unsigned.
• A maximum of 5 editorials/columns may be submitted per entry.
• A nominating letter no longer than 500 words may accompany the entry but is not necessary.

First Amendment Award

Prize: $1,000

Recognizes the best example of protecting or advancing freedom of information principles, and/or overcoming significant resistance to the application of the First Amendment. The award is sponsored by Middle Tennessee State University’s Free Speech Center. 

• Individual or team efforts will be accepted.
• The work of editors, opinion writers and visual journalists also will be accepted, either alone or as part of a larger effort.
• Maximum of 5 elements — any combination of articles, editorials, digital or visual elements.
• A nominating letter of no longer than 500 words may accompany the entry but is not necessary. 

Roy Peter Clark Prize for Excellence in Short Writing

Prize: $2,500 

This prize recognizes compelling short writing in journalism in any medium. It honors Poynter Institute senior scholar Roy Peter Clark, known as "America's Writing Coach" and the author of "How to Write Short: Word Craft for Fast Times."

• A maximum of 5 items may be submitted per entry. Each story or item must be 800 words or fewer in length.
• Individual and team entries are allowed.
• Writing in any medium is allowed - stories, columns, magazine, newsletters, radio, television, headlines, etc., but only the writing is judged. Radio or video entries are required to submit the written script or transcript. 
• A nominating letter no longer than 300 words may accompany the entry but is not required.

Robert G. McGruder Award for Diversity Leadership

Prize: $2,500

Recognizes the accomplishments of media professionals who encourage diversity in hiring and coverage. Honors the distinguished career of Robert G. McGruder, a former executive editor of the Detroit Free Press, former managing editor of The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, graduate of Kent State University and relentless diversity champion. The award is sponsored by Gannett and the USA TODAY Network.

• The entry should consist of a nominating letter no longer than 500 words.

Punch Sulzberger Innovator of the Year

Prize: $2,500

This award is for a journalist who excels in new ways of executing the craft of journalism. This leader abhors traditional techniques and seeks ways to investigate or tell stories differently. This can mean everything from executing a novel methodology or using new visual techniques combining multiple story elements to approaching a subject in a groundbreaking way. Work should be seen as a bold new approach instead of iterating on industry best practices. The award is sponsored by The New York Times.

• Individual or teamwork will be accepted in this category.
• The submission may consist of a single or multi day presentation.
• Digital components might include (but are not limited to) text, social feeds, video, audio, photo galleries, newsletters, data visualization tools and/or other interactive elements.
• Storytelling examples may be submitted via their URLs and do not require PDFs.
• A nominating letter no longer than 500 words may accompany the entry but is not necessary.