Open to journalists aged 26 or under on 31 December 2022. 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 purposes to research an agreed article or series of articles for their title. 

Established in the early 1990S, with the support of the Cecil King Memorial Foundation, the Young Journalist of the Year Award has been a feature of the National Press Awards ever since.  The Award recognises an outstanding young journalist (under the age of 26) associated with the UK national press.  The bursary provided by the Cecil King Memorial Foundation is intended to support the winner of the Award in gaining wider journalistic experience abroad.

Cecil King (1901-1987) had a long association with the world of journalism, including as chairman of Daily Mirror Newspapers, Sunday Pictorial Newspapers and the International Publishing Corporation.

Additional information for those being nominated/doing the nomination

-       The winner’s proposed topic(s)/travel plan will be agreed with the Foundation in advance of payment of the bursary and in advance of any travel;

-       The Foundation encourages the recipient to think about an area (including both journalistic discipline and geographical area) which is outside the areas they are otherwise familiar with;

-       The Foundation suggests that the travel should cover a period of not less than 3 – 4 weeks;

-       Travel costs can include travel and transport, accommodation and living costs/subsistence;

-       The nominating Editor or newspaper will be expected to enable the Award recipient to take the required time to be able to make use of the bursary, including time away from normal duties/roles and opportunity to travel;

-       Where possible the bursary – and associated travel – should be used within 12 months of receipt of the Award.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This category is open to news, sports 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.