The deadline for the Freelance Journalism Awards 2024 closes at midnight tonight (Wednesday 22nd May) and as the old adage goes you have to be in it to win it.
So as a final push of inspiration, we thought we would remind you all about last year’s winners. The quality was certainly high but we would expect nothing less from our wonderful community of freelance journalists.
Remember you need to be based in the UK to be eligible for these awards but entries are free. This year we have two new categories so you have nine chances to win and you can enter as many as you like (but only each category once). The link to the entry form can be found here and at the end of this newsletter. Make sure you read the entry criteria carefully as it does vary between categories. Good luck everyone!
Best Broadcast Journalist
For those of you working in radio, podcasting, TV or online, this category is sponsored by Women in Journalism.
Last year our winner was Anna Lawlor for her stand-alone radio documentary Typical! with a highly commended going to Bhavani Vadde. You can hear Anna talk about her work in our interview with her here.
Best Print Journalist
Awarded to a freelance journalist creating written content for newspapers, magazines, journals or websites, this category is sponsored by the National Union of Journalists Freelance Branch.
Our 2023 winner was Gabriella Jozwiak for her work covering the impact of the Ukraine war and providing a voice to children in conflict. Her pieces include how the youngest children are adapting, preparing to get back to school and what it means for those caring for them. Hear how she did it in our podcast interview.
Best News Story
Sponsored by Birmingham City University, this will be awarded to the best print, online or broadcast story produced by a freelance journalist.
Last year’s winner was Rachael Healy for her exclusive revealing that Britain’s Got Talent judge David Walliams made derogatory and sexually explicit comments about contestants during filming. Miranda Bryant was also highly commended. A difficult story to write, Rachael came on the podcast to tell us all about how she did it.
Best Feature
Also sponsored by he National Union of Journalists Freelance Branch, this category is for the best print, online or broadcast feature produced by a freelance journalist.
This was our most entered category last year and the winner was Amelia Tait for her feature on why we are so fascinated by super-organised homes. An ideas powerhouse, Amelia came on the podcast to tell us all about how the piece came about.
Best Investigation
Savanta are supporting this award for the best print, online or broadcast investigation produced by a freelance journalist.
A very hard category to judge but last year our independent panel chose Lucy Osborne for her investigation into sexual abuse in the fashion industry reporting in The Guardian and made into a three-part documentary for Sky. Lucy spent months reporting on this as she explains here.
Best Specialist Journalist
This is the third award sponsored by the National Union of Journalists Freelance Branch and is for those working in a particular specialism whether that is print, online or broadcast.
In 2023, this award went to Hannah Summers for her work shining a light on the family court system. Her work includes this piece on 66 children vanishing from an asylum hotel and a challenge to the reporting rules around use of parental alienation experts.
Best Piece of Work by a Student or Early Career Journalist
For those just starting out we have our student/early career award sponsored by News Associates. Those entering must be a student or in the first two years of their freelance journalism career.
Our winner last year was Lara Olszowska for her feature on how Ukrainian teachers were keeping their schools running during the war.
And last but not least don’t forget our two new categories:
Best Opinion Writer or Columnist
Sponsored by xTiles, this will be awarded to the best print or online journalist for regular opinion or column writing.
Best Campaigning Journalist
Sponsored by Paydesk, this category is for the best campaigning journalist working in print, broadcast or online.
Find all the details you need and the entry form by clicking the button below.
Triumph of the week
Getting some work booked in for after I’ve returned from a week off
That feeling when
Someone says they will send you a key document then they go very quiet
We love to hear your feedback on everything we do, so feel free to drop us an email anytime at freelancingforjournalists@gmail.com
Bye for now!