The Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism
- Read ‘Terms and Conditions of Entry’ and ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ for more information.
- Questions? Do not hesitate to get in touch with Margie Smithurst, margie.smithurst@walkleys.coms
Major Categories
Gold Walkley
The Gold Walkley is the pinnacle of journalistic achievement. The winner is chosen from the category winners, excluding the Walkley Book Award, Walkley Documentary Award and “Outstanding Contribution to Journalism.” See all the winners.
Outstanding Contribution to Journalism (selected by the Walkley Foundation Board of Directors)
The Outstanding Contribution to Journalism award recognises the achievements of a person or group that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the highest standards of journalism – truth, rigour, integrity and fairness – over their career or period of operation. It is chosen by the Walkley Directors and is a peer nominated category.
The Walkley Foundation invites journalists to submit nominations for Outstanding Contribution to Journalism through the entry site. Winners of the discontinued Walkley Award for Journalism Leadership will not be eligible.
Nikon-Walkley Press Photographer of the Year
Entrants must submit a body of work featuring six to 10 images showing the photographer’s range and self-editing skill, with at least one published image. A body of work can encompass any genre.
Print / Text Journalism
News Report
This category recognises excellence in news journalism created for text formats. It recognises the diverse skills of the news reporter/journalist for all the elements that make a great story under the pressure of deadlines – tenacity, writing ability, accuracy, ethics, research, impact and great storytelling. The emphasis of this award is on solid, gripping reporting and outstanding individual (or small team) efforts in covering a developing news story or excellent work on a daily news round. Entries in this category may be a single news report or no more than three related reports on the same subject.
Feature Writing Long (Over 4000 Words)
A key criteria of this award is the quality of writing and narrative skill of written works over 4000 words. Based on a single piece of work, this award recognises long form journalism that shines a light, tells a compelling story or provides in-depth analysis and investigation. It also recognises reporting excellence, accuracy, storytelling, originality and high standards of ethics and research. (This award is also open to multi-media packages where writing is the primary medium.)
Feature Writing Short (Under 4000 Words)
Based on a single piece of work, this category recognises shortform newspaper and magazine style feature writing in print or digital. The focus of this award remains on quality writing. It celebrates excellence in the craft of feature writing and storytelling, with prime consideration given to the written word and research ability as well as originality, creativity, impact and technique. (This award is also open to multi-media packages where writing is the primary medium.)
All Media
Commentary, Analysis, Opinion and Critique
This category is open to journalists involved in comment and analysis and includes leader writers, reviewers, opinion columnists and digital commentators across the spectrum of discussion and debate, including arts, sports, business and politics. Entrants must submit three samples, not necessarily related, that will be judged as a body of work.
Explanatory Journalism
This category recognises distinguished explanatory journalism that illuminates significant and complex subjects for audiences, demonstrating deep mastery of topics, original reporting, lucid writing or scripting, and clear presentation, using any available journalistic medium. Entrants can submit a single piece of work or up to three pieces showcasing a body of work (pieces submitted in a body of work do not need to be related subject matter). Entry statements must explain how the work submitted makes complex information engaging and accessible to audiences.
Coverage of Indigenous Affairs
This award recognises excellence in coverage of Indigenous issues. Journalists and photographers working in both the Indigenous and mainstream media are encouraged to enter. Entrants can choose to submit a single piece of work or up to three pieces of work showcasing a body of work.
Coverage of Community and Regional Affairs
This category recognises the work of journalists working in rural and regional media or in dedicated suburban news organisations and recognises their role in reporting on and informing their local communities. In the case of entries from rural and regional Australia, the core of the editorial and production work must have been done in rural or regional Australia, and not in a capital city head office or studio (with the exception of Darwin). Suburban news organisations refers to freestanding publications and broadcasters servicing specific areas of a city outside the CBD. Stories written about issues in rural, regional and suburban areas by journalists based in major metropolitan areas do not qualify for this category. Entrants can choose to submit a single piece of work or up to three pieces of work showcasing a body of work.
Cartoon of the Year
Creativity, innovation, wit and style will ideally combine with newsworthiness and artistic technique for the winner of the best cartoon award. Entrants must submit a single piece of work.
Sports Journalism
This award recognises the diverse skills of the sports journalist and the elements that make a great sports story – tenacity, accuracy, ethics, research, great storytelling and the capacity to capture and share the emotion in sport. Entries in this category may be a single story or no more than three related reports on the same subject.
Scoop of The Year
This award seeks to recognise the journalistic resourcefulness applied to breaking news through what is traditionally known as a ‘scoop’. A scoop is defined as an exclusive report which contains revelatory facts which inform and change public understanding or knowledge of an issue or event. The judges will be looking for a significant revelation, with public impact. It will display the skill of the journalist in getting the information and having it published or broadcast, and the degree of difficulty in doing so. Supporting documentation must include a chronology and state the exact moment of broadcast or publication, particularly in relation to competing coverage. Entries in this category may be a single story or no more than three related reports on the same subject.
Coverage of a Major News Event or Issue
Primarily, this is an award that recognises the valuable role of teamwork and significant commitment from news organisations as well as journalistic skill in coverage of an issue or event. Judges will take into consideration criteria such as impact, accuracy, immediacy, creativity, and journalism that provides context and deeper understanding to a story, issue or area of public debate. Available resources, live broadcast considerations and the pressures of breaking news will also be factored in the judging process.
Entries are open to all media and should be packaged to represent a showcase of the work, and can include different forms of media. Each entry should include the initial story that led to the subsequent coverage over the course of days, weeks and months. For television and audio entries this means an initial story accompanied by up to 90 minutes of compiled footage. Print entries should include the initial story and up to five subsequent stories. Digital entries should include all relevant web links. For All Media entries, up to six pieces of work from any media can be entered. Entry statements should include a summary of the story or issue, an outline of the response or planning and a timeline or rundown of events/reports.
Specialist and Beat Reporting
This award recognises excellence in specialist or beat reporting that is characterised by sustained and knowledgeable coverage of a particular subject or activity – such as science, health, environment, technology, security, arts, education or crime. Judges will give special regard to expertise, newsworthiness, news breaking, public benefit, storytelling, impact, incisiveness, research, and an entry’s ability to connect and engage audiences with specific subject matter. This award is not open to specialist areas covered by other Walkley Award categories. Entries in this category must include three reports from the same beat – such as science, health, environment, technology, security, arts, education or crime. Entries are open to all journalists, not just those assigned to specialist rounds.
Business Journalism
This award recognises excellence in business, economics and finance journalism. Judges will give special regard to newsworthiness, public benefit, storytelling, impact, incisiveness and research. Entries in this category may be a single story or no more than three related reports on the same subject.
International
Recognising excellence in international journalism in the Australian media, this category will reward well-researched and presented investigations. Works will be judged on accuracy, ethics, tenacity and public benefit. Entries in this category may be a single story or no more than three related reports on the same subject. Available resources, live broadcast considerations and the pressures of breaking news will also be factored in the judging process. Entrants do not have to be foreign correspondents stationed overseas full-time for long periods, but must have worked on location in preparing the story and provide details of where and how the story was produced. International producer/fixers who are not Australian citizens or without the requisite visa can be acknowledged in the entry, but cannot be recognised as finalists/winners.
Investigative Journalism
Recognising its valuable role, this category will reward well-researched and presented investigations. Works will be judged on accuracy, ethics, tenacity and public benefit. Entries in this category may be a single story or no more than three related reports on the same subject.
Photography
This platform recognises visual journalists producing still photography for any platform. Criteria include storytelling, courage, public impact, creativity, innovative use of technology, technical ability and resourcefulness and can include sound slides and photo film. Only photos taken between 1 September, 2023 to 19 August, 2024 are eligible for entry. Each entry must contain at least one published picture.
News Photography
Newsworthiness, impact, technical superiority, creativity and originality will be judged in this category. News photography encompasses a range of news photography from an exclusive or spontaneous news moment or images depicting news values on the day. The images should represent a story or event and not a series on a theme. Entrants may submit up to five related images. Only photos taken between 1 September, 2023 to 19 August, 2024 are eligible for entry (the exception is if the photo was shot for purpose with the publication date already confirmed). Each entry must contain at least one published picture.
Sport Photography
This category will reward those who capture the emotion and drama of sport. From our hallowed grounds to iconic athletes, entries may show action and/or feature images from the sporting arena. Photographers may enter up to five images, which may represent a body of work or be unrelated. Only photos taken between 1 September, 2023 to 19 August, 2024 are eligible for entry (unless photographs were shot for purpose with the publication date already confirmed).
Feature / Photographic Essay
Entrants must submit between five and 12 images of a feature or photographic essay, of which one photograph must have been published on any platform. Only photos taken between 1 September, 2023 to 19 August, 2024 are eligible for entry (unless photographs were shot for purpose with the publication date already confirmed).
Nikon Photography Prizes
- Photo of the Year: This award recognises an outstanding “hero” image worthy of individual celebration and recognition. Judges select a single image that defines the year from photographs submitted across all categories in the awards.
- Portrait: Portrait photography is a specialist skill. The judges will look for powerful images that capture the character and strength of their subject(s). Entrants must submit a single image only.
Radio / Audio
Audio Short (less than 20 minutes total)
This award recognises excellence in short form audio news and current affairs journalism. This may include radio, podcast or digital audio content such as interviews, news reporting, live coverage, or packaged stories. It considers the immediacy and unique demands of the medium and deadline pressure. In particular, the judges will reward work demonstrating the best elements of the platform – accuracy, immediacy, incisiveness, research, production skill, originality, public impact and a gripping story. Judges will also take into account the time and resources available to the journalist. Entries in this category may be a single piece of audio content or no more than three related pieces on the same subject, totalling no more than 20 minutes. Entrants may alternatively submit up to three unrelated interviews that demonstrate their skills.
Audio Long (more than 20 minutes)
Based on a single story, this category recognises the longform journalistic audio productions that demonstrate in-depth investigation and excellent storytelling. This award acknowledges the unique craft and skill required to present longform audio content such as radio documentaries and podcasts. Judges will recognise excellence in longform news and current affairs that highlight research, storytelling, structure, investigation, analysis and impact. If entrants are submitting a podcast series they may enter a maximum of three episodes. Entrants must not submit more than a total of 90 minutes of audio content..
If more than 90 minutes of content is submitted, judges will assess the first 90 minutes only.
Digital Media
Innovation Journalism
This award recognises excellence in journalism production that elevates reporting or investigation and connects audiences with stories in new ways. This might include visual storytelling, social media, data journalism or multimedia presentation.
Please note, this category is for Digital Media only.
TV / Video
Camerawork
This award recognises excellence in camerawork in Australian news, current affairs and documentary as well as videography and photo films in digital formats, representing the highest standards of the craft. Entrants can choose to submit a single piece of footage or three complete pieces of work showcasing a body of work. Showreels are not eligible.
News Reporting
This category recognises the skill of producing quality news journalism in television and video formats under deadline pressure. The emphasis of this award is on solid, gripping reporting, clarity of message and outstanding individual or team efforts in covering a developing news story. In particular, the judges will reward work demonstrating accuracy, immediacy, incisiveness, public impact, and storytelling ability. Entries in this category may be a single news report or no more than three related reports on the same subject on any visual medium.
Current Affairs Short (less than 20 minutes)
This award recognises current affairs and analysis of unfolding news events and interviews in short formats. Reports will be judged on originality, newsworthiness, public benefit, courage, and impact as well as production expertise and writing. Entries in this category may be a single story of under 20 minutes, or no more than three related reports, broadcast separately.
Current Affairs Long (more than 20 minutes)
This category will recognise excellence in longform television and video current affairs, including interviews, highlighting research, storytelling, investigative journalism and analysis as well as impact. Entries in this category must be a single story less than 90 minutes in length.
Documentary films are not eligible to enter this television current affairs category (they should be entered in the Documentary Award).
Longform
Walkley Documentary Award
This award recognises excellence in documentary production that is grounded in the principles of journalism – accuracy, impact, public benefit, ethics, creativity, research and reporting – together with rigorous filmmaking. The award is open to a variety of documentary storytelling styles and the judges will be looking for courage and creativity in concept, approach and execution.
Walkley Book Award
The Walkley Book Award honours longform journalistic endeavours that have been published in book form in Australia. It acknowledges writers who have used journalistic skills and processes to craft a compelling and readable narrative for a general readership. Skill in storytelling, newsbreaking, newsworthiness, deep research, analysis, public impact, structure, readability and creative use of the book medium will be among the qualities assessed. The focus is primarily on books of journalism, not literary works.