Reading Time: 4 minutes
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
- Nominees must be journalists working in Jamaica. Entries must be about Jamaica or the Caribbean.
- Items must have been published between July 25, 2022, and July 24, 2023.
- Deadline for entries: midnight MONDAY, July 31, 2023. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.
- THIS YEAR, with the exception of the photography categories, ALL ENTRIES must be accompanied by a video or audio promo no longer than 30 seconds – that is electronic AND print entries. Photographers may also submit a promo that includes their photographs.
- We encourage persons to be as creative as they wish as this will be used in the LIVE NATIONAL JOURNALISM AWARDS SHOW. However, please note that a video (preferably) or audio recording – no longer than 30 seconds – explaining what the entry is about is fine as a promo. The rationale for the change is that it will improve our show and we ask that colleagues work with us.
- As was the case in previous years, ALL ENTRANTS are required to submit a photograph of themselves/team (for production purposes). We want to use these photos in the live show so please ensure the photograph is of the
best quality. - The PAJ may use elements of any awards submission for promotional purposes.
- For inquiries, please call 876-631-6390/876-776-9469; or email pressassociationjamaica@
gmail.com
HOW TO ENTER
Step A: Prepare your entries AND A PROMO FOR EACH CATEGORY YOU PLAN TO ENTER. Please note the change regarding promos in GENERAL PRINCIPLES ABOVE. All entries must be accompanied by a promo (audio or video) no longer than 30 seconds.
Read the entry requirements for each category.
These are the ONLY file formats accepted:
- Print entries: PDF files OR hyperlinks to articles (links MUST remain active until the end of the year), along with a promo which may take the form of video or audio files in these formats: MP3, WAV, .MP4 or .MOV files ONLY.
- Photographs: .JPEG, .PNG, .GIF, .PDF
- Television entries: .MP4 or .MOV ONLY.
- Audio entries: .MP3 or .WAV files only.
Step B: Complete the entry form for the category you wish to enter
- Go to www.pressassociationjamaica.org
- Select the menu item called PAJ Awards
- Select the form for the category you wish to enter, complete and submit. Please note that you will need to upload the files as well as a promo at this point. Again, the form cannot be submitted without the correct number of files.
- All entrants are required to submit a photograph (no larger than 1GB) for production purposes. Please have one on hand.
- Please note that you will be asked to indicate if you are a paid-up member of the Press Association of Jamaica (no entry fee required), whether you have NOW paid the PAJ membership fee (Ja$3000) or the award entry fee (Ja$5000) – proof of payment will be required, or if your organization will pay the membership or award entry fee (will be verified). In the absence of an answer, the submission will NOT be sent to judges. Entry fees may be paid to the National Commercial Bank, Constant Spring Branch CHEQUING Account number 331041165.
- Entry fee: Paid-up PAJ members – FREE; Others – $5000.
- The PAJ may use elements of any awards submission for promotional purposes.
- For enquiries: 876-631-6390/876-776-9469; pressassociationjamaica@gmail.com
CATEGORIES
PREMIUM AWARD
(1) JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
- The journalist with the best body of work in any category (news, sports, business, etc.) over the year
- Entry requirement: Five stories on separate issues
- Nominations may be accepted from individuals as well as media houses. Media houses may nominate more than one candidate
PRESTIGE AWARDS
(2) PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM
- An individual or team may enter
- Entry requirement: Coverage of a single issue (NO MORE than three samples of work)
(3) YOUNG JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
- Nominee must have been working in Jamaican media for less than three years
- Entry requirement: Three stories on separate issues
(4) HUGH CROSSKILL/RAYMOND SHARP AWARD FOR SPORTS JOURNALISM
(Print and Electronic – two awards)
- An individual or team may enter
- Entry requirement: Three stories
(5) HECTOR BERNARD/THEODORE SEALY AWARD FOR NEWS
(Print and Electronic – two awards)
- An individual or team may enter
- Entry requirement: Three stories
(6) CARLTON ALEXANDER AWARD FOR BUSINESS & FINANCE
(Print/Electronic – one award)
- An individual or team may enter
- Entry requirement: Three stories
(7) BEST BREAKING NEWS COVERAGE
- An individual or team may enter
- For coverage of a breaking news story that reports accurately and quickly the elements of a story as it unfolds, with follow-up stories that contextualise, inform and develop on the initial breaking news item.
- Entries may reflect coverage across more than one media platform (online, social media, print, television, radio etc.)
- Electronic entry requirement: Five samples of work (stories, podcasts, online posts, screen grabs of social media posts etc.)
- Entrants are required to submit a one paragraph summary outlining how coverage developed
GENERAL AWARDS
(8) CARL WINT AWARD – BEST FEATURE STORY (Print & Electronic – two awards)
- Print entry requirement: ONE print story in any category (news, sports, business, health, tourism etc.)
- Electronic entry requirement: ONE radio or television story, up to 15 minutes in length
(9) BEST TELEVISION FEATURE/DOCUMENTARY
- Entry requirement: ONE television feature/documentary more than 15-minutes in length in any category (news, sports, business, health, tourism etc.).
(10) BEST RADIO FEATURE/DOCUMENTARY
- Entry requirement: ONE radio feature/documentary more than 15-minutes in length in any category (news, sports, business, health, tourism etc.)
(11) KEN DAWSON AWARD – VIDEOGRAPHY
Best videography for a single story, feature etc. across all beats
(12) ASTON RHODEN AWARD – NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY
- No more than THREE photographs per entrant.
(13) JUNIOR DOWIE AWARD – SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
- No more than THREE photographs per entrant.
(14) ERROL HARVEY AWARD – HUMAN INTEREST PHOTOGRAPHY
- No more than THREE photographs per entrant.
(15) MORRIS CARGILL AWARD – OPINION JOURNALISM
- Best opinion journalism across all beats (news, sports, entertainment etc)
- THREE samples of work.
- Entries are eligible from print, broadcast, blogs, podcasts, video blog/video log etc.
(16) EXCELLENCE IN REPORTING ON THE ENVIRONMENT
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIAL AWARDS (CATEGORIES 17-20)
- An individual or team may enter
- One story ONLY
(17) UNICEF AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN REPORTING ON CHILDREN’S RIGHTS
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIAL AWARDS (CATEGORIES 17-20)
Submissions must:
- Focus on at least one major developmental issue affecting children, including violations of children’s rights as enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
- Include the voices of children in order to be considered
(18) DIGICEL AWARD FOR TECHNOLOGY
(19) AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN REPORTING ON HEALTH AND WELLNESS
(20) AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN REPORTING ON THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR