June Andrews Award for Freelance Journalist Of The Year
What date do entries open and when do they close?
- Entries open March 4, 2024
- Entries close at midnight on April 26, 2024.
How do I enter?
All entries need to be submitted via the online entry form.
What can I enter?
Entrants may submit a body of work (up to three pieces of work) published or broadcast in Australia from April 27, 2023, through to April 26, 2024. Work may include a submission from one medium only or any combination of print, photo, online, blog, social media, video and/or radio.
What constitutes a piece of work?
In some cases the nature of the work will be clear, for example a stand-alone article, a photograph, a blog entry, a radio or television story or interview, or a Twitter stream. It may, however, constitute a combination of some or all of these elements. In journalism today this is often fluid and principles of common sense should be applied.
How long does the online entry process take?
You should allow approximately 20-30 minutes to complete the online entry form. If you do not receive a confirmation email after pressing submit your entry has not gone through. Do not leave it to the last day to make your entry, as high demand on the website can lead to the process taking much longer.
How are entries judged?
Judging for the Freelance of the Year is done by peer judging. A panel of three-judge will determine the winner and two finalists based on the criteria specified.
What are the conditions of entry?
Entrants must be regularly and constantly engaged as a freelance journalist/photographer in any one of a number of branches of journalism including print, photography, online, blogging, radio, video, or television.
Entrants must be residents and citizens of Australia and work submitted for entry must be published, produced or broadcast in Australia.
Do I have to include a 400-word entry statement?
Yes, your entry statement is to assist the judging process and should outline the case for consideration for the award. You may address the judging criteria and explain the circumstances in which the entry was produced and why you have selected the pieces for submission. Please note, if you become a finalist your entry statement will be published on the Walkley website so please consider this when composing your 400 words.
What is the entry declaration?
You will need to submit a declaration that each piece of work entered is your own and supply as a reference the name and contact details of commissioning editors or producers of each piece of work for verification.
Are group entries permissible?
No.
Do I need to have the entry form authorised?
Yes, for copyright and authorisation reasons we require a declaration from your employer or commissioning company to submit your work for the awards. Once your entry is submitted online, an automated email will be sent to your Editor/Employer to authorise your Freelance Journalist of the Year entry.
I’m self-published, how do I verify the work?
Self-published entrants should provide relevant URL links and where possible, verification of the work’s authenticity. If you are verifying your own work you must make this clear to the judges in your supporting statement.
What do I need to do if my work has been challenged?
All entries must declare any legal complaints, defamation actions, contempt of court actions, suppression orders, challenges to the accuracy, corrections or claims of plagiarism, relevant to the work at the time of entry. This does not disqualify the entry but is important for the judging process that this is declared.
What does it cost to enter the awards?
Entry is free for members of MEAA as a benefit of membership. The cost of entering the award for non-members is $50 including GST. For inquiries about MEAA membership please contact membership@meaa.org or call 1300 656 513.
When will the winner be announced?
The winner will be announced on at the Mid-Year Celebration in Sydney in June. Winners work, judge’s comments and photographs of the night will be available at www.walkleys.com after the event.
If you have any further questions, please contact either:
- Barbara Blackman: barbara.blackman@walkleys.com or (02) 9158 3821