CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM
In a world where accurate reporting and insightful storytelling are more crucial than ever, the Press Awards 2025 is your opportunity to shine.
This is your chance to have your hard work acknowledged and celebrated on a national platform. Despite global challenges, journalists continue to provide the British public with insight, inspiration, and analysis and that is why you should enter your work.
Unlike other awards, ours are judged by a panel of esteemed experts in the field of journalism, offering invaluable validation and exposure for your work.
Whether you’re a seasoned journalist or an emerging talent, this is your chance to showcase your best work and be recognised by your peers. Compete against the best and stand out in the industry.
Meet The Co-Chair Judges
Are you a leader in the journalism industry?
We’re inviting experienced professionals to nominate themselves to be a judge for the Press Awards. As a judge, you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of UK journalism by selecting and celebrating the very best in the field.
If you have the expertise and passion to recognise outstanding talent and innovation, nominate yourself today and join us in upholding the highest standards of journalistic excellence.
KEY INFORMATION
IMPORTANT DATES
Extended Late Entry Deadline: 18 December 2024
If you need more time to make those winning finishing touches, but an added late fee will be applied.
Shortlist Announcement: 12 February 2025
You'll find out if you've been shortlisted.
Awards Ceremony: 22 May 2025
Join us at this prestigious awards ceremony where the winners will be revealed.
ENTRY FEES
Extended Late Entry Fee: £275 (+VAT)
Late fee will be applied to entries submitted after 4 December
6 REASONS WHY THE PRESS AWARDS ARE FOR YOU:
1. RECOGNITION BY INDUSTRY LEADERS
Gain recognition from a panel of judges, who are experts in journalism
2. CAREER ADVANCEMENT
Open doors to new opportunities, roles and collaborations within the industry
3. SHOWCASE YOUR TALENT
Showcase your best work and highlight your unique skills and contributions to journalism
4. NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
Building connections can lead to valuable partnerships and collaborations
5. CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE
Join other journalists and celebrate the crucial role that journalism has on society, and the impact of your work
6. INSPIRE CHANGE
Bring attention to important stories and inspire positive change.
2025 CATEGORIES
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Young Journalist of the Year
Open to journalists aged 26 or under on 31 December
2024. Entries can include work from any journalistic
discipline. The award is supported by the Cecil King
Memorial Foundation and the winner will receive a
£5,000 bursary to be used for travel to research an
agreed article or series of articles for their title.
Health Journalist of the Year
For journalists specialising in health-related topics. Judges
will look for the ability to explain complex concepts
with authority and clarity, the ability to break news and
consistently high standards of originality and creativity
Photographer of the Year
This category is open to news or features
photographers. Judges will be looking for versatility in
style and subject matter, technical skills and the ability
to capture images that stand out from the pack.
News Reporter of the Year
This award recognises excellence in reporting. The
winner will demonstrate a track record of breaking
exclusives, expertly researched stories and quality
writing. Tenacity, flair and investigative skill will all score
highly
Feature Writer of the Year
This award covers all forms of long-form journalism,
from colour writing to news analysis, background
pieces or profiles. Judges will look for an ability to
impart original insight and key information as well as
the ability to entertain and impress through quality
writing
Critic of the Year
This category is open to reviews and criticism across
any area of journalism – from theatre, music and others
cultural forms to food, motoring or technology. The
winner will be a writer who can enlighten, entertain and
bring knowledge and substance to their work
Columnist of the Year
For columnists across all topics, styles and channels.
The winner will be a writer who is a must-read, with a
distinctive style and the ability to provoke debate and
change perceptions among readers
Interviewer of the Year
For interviewers across all topics, styles and channels.
The key attributes judges will consider are the ability to
get under the skin of the interviewee, turn an interview
into an engaging and enjoyable piece of writing and,
where relevant, to find a news angle or a brilliant hook.
Science and Technology Journalist of the Year
For journalists specialising in science and/or
technology. Judges will look for the ability to explain
complex concepts with authority and clarity, the ability
to break news and consistently high standards of
originality and creativity
Showbiz Reporter of the Year
Open to journalists, interviewers and commentators
who write about show business. Judges will be looking
for the best scoops and most informed writing in
show business which includes the worlds of stage,
screen, TV and the music industry.
Foreign Reporter of the Year
For journalists working in a foreign country or countries,
on behalf of a UK news organisation. Judges will look for
clarity of reporting, ability to break news and evidence of
the ability to make contacts in foreign markets.
Political Journalist of the Year
Open to either reporters or commentators on political
matters in the UK or globally. Judges will look for the
ability to break news, predict trends, analyse topics or
explain issues to a general audience
Environment Journalist of the Year
For journalists specialising in environmental topics.
Judges will look for the ability to explain complex
concepts with authority and clarity, the ability to break
news and consistently high standards of originality and
creativity
Travel Journalist of the Year
Open to journalists covering travel across all forms,
including news and analysis, features or reviews. Judges
will look for originality, a deep understanding of the
topic and consistently high standards of writing
Data Journalist of the Year
For journalists who are making use of the wealth
of data and information that is now available to
newsrooms. It could be using their skills to mine data
bases for that nugget of information that cracks a
story wide open, or fantastic use of FOI, or tracking
down and interpreting facts for readers in a way that
uncovers an unexpected insight into an important
story
The Hugh Mcilvanney Award for Sports Journalist of the Year
For news writers, match reporters, feature writers,
interviewers and columnists. Entries may be from a
variety of sports or a single sport. Judges will look
for consistently high quality writing, agenda-setting
reporting and originality in presentation
Specialist Journalist of the Year
Open to journalists who specialise in a topic not
covered by any other category, such as: education,
arts, food, gardening, motoring, defence, showbiz or
fashion. Judges will be looking for a mastery of the
topic, originality and flair in writing and a track record
of tackling important topics
Sports Photographer of the Yea
This category is open to sports photographers. Judges
will be looking for versatility in style and subject matter,
technical skills and the ability to capture images that
stand out from the pack.
Cartoonist of the Year
Open to pocket cartoons strips, caricatures, political
cartoons and illustrations. Judges will look for cartoons
that stand out from the crowd and are relevant to the
context they appear in, be they illuminating the news
agenda or adding colour to features
Business and Finance Journalist of the Year
Open to reporters, interviewers and commentators
who write about economics, finance, business or
personal finance. Judges will look for the ability to
break news, predict trends, analyse topics or explain
issues to a general audience.
TEAM AWARDS
Investigation of the Year
This award goes to a body of work that lifts the lid
on an important, shocking or under-reported topic. It
is open to either individuals or teams, across either a
single article or multiple articles, with an emphasis on
exclusivity, impact and investigative ability.
Scoop of the Year
This category is open to stories, or multiple stories, on a
topic that draws the envy of the rest of the journalistic
profession. It can be entered by individuals or teams,
with judges looking for exclusivity and impact above all
else
News Website of the Year
Judges will examine all aspects of a news website,
either associated with a print publication or a
standalone digital brand. They will be looking for
strong presentation, innovation across both content
and technology, and the depth and originality of digital
coverage, as well as user experience
News Podcast of the Year
This award is open to podcasts covering news, politics
or current affairs, whether associated with a print brand
or a standalone entity. Judges will look for quality
of presentation, originality of content, knowledge
of presenters and correspondents, and an ability to
understand and connect with the audience.
Best Audience Engagement Initiative of the Year
This award aims to reward initiatives which drive
measurable increases in audience engagement. That
could be social media, a newsletter, app or other piece
of digital infrastructure, a campaign or community-led
initiative, or any combination of the above. The key
for judges will be demonstrating how it measurably
increased readership and deepened readers’
engagement with the title.
Supplement of the Year
This award is open to any publication published as part
of a newspaper, at any regularity and in any format.
Judges will look at quality of content, use of design and
photography and readability, as well as suitability of
content for the target audience, brand and alignment
with the broader parent publication.
Front Page of the Year
An award celebrating the most memorable and
impactful front page published in print during the
eligibility period. Judges will look for originality, clarity
and most of all immediate impact.
Campaign of the Year
This award is open to all titles, and can be entered
by individuals or teams. It celebrates campaigns that
capture the nation’s attention and achieve tangible
results. Judges will be looking for the importance of the
cause, the originality of the approach and the end result.
Excellence in Diversity Award
An award celebrating a news brand that is committed
to diversity and inclusion, both in its approach to
editorial recruitment and talent management and in its
editorial output. Entrants for this award should provide
examples of journalism which has played a significant
role in creating awareness of issues of diversity in the
UK, be this through news reports, campaigns, features
or interviews. They should also provide evidence of a
commitment to diversity in the newsroom, including
initiatives that impact on recruitment, retention, talent
management and representation. Judges will be looking
for evidence of a senior-level commitment to diversity
and a coordinated attempt to demonstrate it through
both editorial and employment practices, as well as
evidence of its impact.
Best Commercial Partner
This award is open to business and individuals
who are suppliers to the national press and can
demonstrate the value they have added to a media
brand, whether via a technological solution, provision
of editorial or multimedia services (such as podcasts
or video), marketing, commercial support or strategic
advice
ORGANISATIONS AWARD
Newspaper of the Year (Daily and Sunday)
An award for the newspaper that has made the most
impact and provided the most high-quality, original
and innovative coverage of events during the eligible
period. This award is open to both daily and Sunday
papers, and will be judged on the quality not just of
front page stories or scoops but on coverage of news,
foreign affairs, business, sport and lifestyle, with
attention paid to quality of features and supplements
as well as design and use of photography and a distinct
and successful digital strategy encompassed by a
thriving website.
Newspaper of the year - Sunday
News website of the year
News podcast of the year
TESTIMONIALS
BE INSPIRED BY PREVIOUS WINNERS
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It was a wonderful moment to be named as Photographer of the Year at The Press Awards 2023 and to have my work recognised by journalists in such a prestigious event.
— Hannah McKay
— Photographer , Reuters News & Media
It was an honour to receive this recognition for my work alongside so many brilliant journalists at the Press Awards.
— Matt Reynolds
— Senior Writer , WIRED
Winning this award meant everything to me and was also a testament to the young people around the world I worked with on the project. It was an incredibly tough category but I was so thrilled this year-long piece received the recognition it deserved.
— Rhian Lubin
— Specialist Journalist , The Mirror
It has been a whirlwind of a year with many moments to be proud of, but winning this award has been the highlight. This recognition has changed everything for me.
— Shayma Bakht
— News Reporter , The Times
It it very much a career highlight (albeit I was a trainee only a couple of years ago!) and something I am undoubtedly proud of.
— Isaan Khan
— News Reporter , Daily Mail
I was genuinely not expecting to win this award, especially as I was nominated alongside such distinguished journalists, but I couldn't have hoped for a better start to my career as a freelance feature writer
— Sian Boyle
— Freelance Writer & Journalist
ABOUT THE AWARDS
With a heritage spanning six decades, the Press Awards have honoured some of the most esteemed names in British journalism. Submit your best work to be judged by your peers, and you too could win one of these prestigious awards.
Despite the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic, economic volatility, and geopolitical tensions, the industry's finest continue to provide the British public with insight, inspiration, and analysis.
The Press Awards is dedicated to encouraging and recognising greater diversity in the industry. We welcome entries from under-represented groups, and encourage all entrants to highlight diversity in their entries, whether in terms of the employees and personnel involved in work or in the subject matter of their journalism itself. If you have suggestions for diverse publications and individuals whose work should be showcased in the awards, or you want to discuss other ways of improving the diversity of the awards process, we are happy to hear from you.
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