This award is named after the trail-blazing John Newfong, who was the first indigenous person to be employed in the mainstream print media and a powerful advocate for his people.

• The judges will assess the incisiveness and impact of each entry in revealing the most important issues impacting Australia’s first nation peoples.

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

This award is named in honour of famed award-winning Illawarra Mercury editorial cartoonist Vince O’Farrell.

We have always had some of the world’s best cartoonists. Just watching the weekly episodes of Talking Pictures on the ABC Insiders tells you that fine tradition continues. Like a great photo, a great cartoon captures an issue, foibles and all and at least makes us smile.

They are comedians with a pen.

• The Kennedy Awards winning cartoon should capture in a satirical/ humorous manner a political or social issue of the day whilst reflecting the cartoonist’s set of skills.

• The judges will consider wit, technical skill, and a sharp eye for irony in depicting the major issues of any given day.

• Entry must have been published.

• Entry is based on a single cartoon.

It’s not just whose fridge is best but uncovering deceptive and anti-competitive conduct, dangerous products, defending consumer rights and keeping the market honest.

It’s serious reporting with an avid audience.

• The judges will favour exclusive stories with a broad impact.

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

This arena is often the grist to the mill for journalists in the early stages of their career, but some become addicted to the daily procession of the criminal, the deceptive and the unfortunate.

This reporting is essential to our understanding of and our trust in the rule of law and to our democracy.

• Judges will be looking for the best angle, breaking news, accuracy and the quality of writing in reporting on courts and legal affairs.

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

This award was named after Les Kennedy, who was an exceptional “shoe leather” – a contacts driven journalist who broke many stories in that colourful and often dangerous world of crime.

If anything, reporting in this area has become more dangerous and certainly more complex. Reporting from this arena requires great patience, enormous skills required in developing contacts in a suspicious environment and steel, lots of it.

• The judges will be looking for highly original, exclusive work with enduring impact.

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

• Newsworthiness and exclusivity will be paramount in the consideration of the judges.

• As is accuracy and public benefit.

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

This award is named after the long-serving Nine producer of Sunday and Meet the Press, Tom Krause.

As record numbers of Australians explore the wider world and significant global events dominate our news cycles interest in the affairs of other nations has rarely been greater.

• Originality, revelation, endeavour and circumventing difficult local obstacles will be rewarded by our judges.

• They will also reward hard-hitting stories from other countries that have profound relevance to readers and viewers at home.

• Entries can be a single piece of work or up to three pieces showcasing a body of work.

While the media unites to fight for press freedom and expose secrets, entries in the investigative journalism category will be judged on the depth and impact of their entries.

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

As the media revolution roles on, new skills are needed, and new talents discovered even though the traditional tenants of journalism are still the dominant mantra, get it first and get it right.

• In a new era of minute-by-minute deadlines, the judges will reward those who have broken the biggest stories on the fly by maximising their use of multiple digital platforms.

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

A fundamental craft for all media, even if many at the moment are over politics, politicians and even the news.

Breaking news, explaining the complex, communicating clearly and concisely and forever digging and building contacts is hard but essential work. Those who do it well are legends and the original ‘influencers’.

• The judges will recognise those exclusive stories with the greatest impact and follow-up in the day-to-day coverage of state and federal politics.

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

In this category, our judges will assess entries reporting on any or all of the three topics.

The subjects of this category are broad and sometimes interrelated but are fundamental to the quality of our daily lives.

• The judges will assess the incisiveness and impact of each entry in revealing the most important human rights, social affairs and religious issues impacting Australia’s society.

• Originality and impact are key to our judges’ assessment, along with newsworthiness, presentation, sensitivity of approach and production values.

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related stories on the same subject or a body of reporting work across any of the three subjects of this award category.

As the debate over global warming dominates the international news agenda journalists in this sector can truly change the world with their professionalism and quality of their reporting.

Judges will consider the most relevant and accurate stories to emerge from coverage of the planet’s present and future, including the impact of bushfires, droughts and floods on the battered Australian landscape.

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

This award is named in honour of sports legend writer Peter Frilingos. In an era when many sport stories move from the back to “the front of the book” the judges will place a high value on;

• The true exclusivity of the story’s hard news content and

• The quality of its feature writing when covering Australia’s most newsworthy sports.

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

At many past media award events the succinct wit of those behind the scenes who create the headline has been one of the nights most enjoyable.

We still have newspapers but now we also have a plethora of digital outlets where the headline is essential weaponry in getting that click.

Our judges will look for the succinct, the witty, the original and reverence for the word.
But also, in an era of increased deception, our judges will also be mindful of accuracy and honesty and that the headline reflects the true nature of the content.

• Entrants are asked to submit their three (3) best headlines.

• It is open to all journalists, sub-editors, and digital content producers whose job it is to attract readers and viewers with clever use of language.

This award is named in honour of this industry’s true gentlemen Cliff Neville whose greeting “My Dear Boy” was synonymous with those he was rallying, greeting or having a beer with. It was disarming, as it was delivered by that mellifluous voice that contradicted the physical presence of this bear of a man.

Like many who ended up making some of our best television ever, he came from that traditional crucible of journalism, print.

• Television journalism is complicated and requires a team to achieve its best, Cliff Neville behind the scenes was one of its best and drove the best.

• Submit up to five testimonials.

Scoops are gold, regular practitioners of the art get pay rises. This year’s best will get a gong.

• The judges will recognise the hardest-hitting, most important, exclusive news story of the current financial year – in the true tradition of the late Rebecca Wilson, after whom this award is named.

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

The Student Journalist of the Year awards the best work of those in engaged in Journalism and Media studies.
This award is open to students enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate studies at an Australian University or similar institution. Entrants must be full-time students.

We encourage entries from student journalists who identify as being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage as well as student journalists who identify as being from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

• The judges will focus on excellence in fundamental journalistic skills, creativity, originality, writing, production values, impact and great storytelling.

• Entrants can submit up to three items of work demonstrating a range of work that has been published or submitted for assessment.

Our future needs encouragement, and this award seeks to do that by rewarding the best and brightest of our youngest members.

• On June 30 of year of entry, you must be under 27 years of age.

• Our judges will be looking for all the traditional values of good journalism.

• Originality, creativity, accuracy, diligence and public benefit.

• Their respect for the ethical values of our profession should be on show.

• Our judges will reward high achievement in terms of news cycle dominance in identifying the brightest of our rising stars.

• Entries can be a single piece of work or up to three pieces showcasing a body of work.

What can we say; the best of the best! A category where there can be many an opinion but only one winner.

• Our panel of senior news executives will rate the story they’d be most likely to select as their splash or lead story in a prime-time bulletin.

• Entries can be a single piece of work or up to three pieces showcasing a body of work.

• **Please note in addition to entering a self-nomination, all category winners will be considered in the final judging pool.

They may be stars they may be unsung heroes behind the scenes, but this award is designed to honour those whose career was outstanding and in its performance was inspirational. Who, by example and input, improved the lives and work of colleagues, while pursuing the public interest and maintaining the highest ethical values.

• The anointed is selected by the Kennedy Foundation Board.

• If you know someone who embodies such qualities, you can always make a recommendation for the Board to consider.

Faithful to the memory of the inimitable Peter Ruehl. This is the place of the writer who, column after column, nearly always hits the buttons of relevance, incisiveness and the creative imagination of a true wordsmith.

• The judges will examine columns for their wit, incisiveness, pure entertainment, relevance and unique take on the affairs of the day.

• Entries can be a single piece of work or up to three pieces showcasing a body of work.

Great writing is wonderful, it elucidates, explains, reveals and makes you laugh or cry in the twinkling of a paragraph. The award is named after the late legendary journalist Jim Oram.

• The judges will be rewarding the most original storytellers at the height of their powers.

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

Good work in this category not only makes you want to go places but can reveal the history, cultures and people of places we know little about but are revealed and made fascinating by the work.
Good writing in this category can make you dream, laugh and learn.

• Eloquence and originality will make for a powerful mix in the eyes of our seasoned travel judges.

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

Named after the well-respected media figure and journalist, Rod Allen. If racing is the sport of Kings Rod , was its journalist King . He left a sizeable imprint at a time of great change through his work with the Australian Turf Club.

• Our judges will consider the quality and originality of news and feature stories emerging from the sport Standing outside a racetrack American writer, Charles Bukowski, told his writing class, ”Here you will find all you need to know about life.”

• Entries can be a single piece of work or up to three pieces showcasing a body of work.

This award recognises excellence in innovative storytelling methods when engaging audiences on complex or investigative issues.
This can include photography, graphics, data visualisation and other visual means on digital platforms.

The judges will place a heavy emphasis on the originality, innovation and creativity being brought to bear to tell stories that are truly of digital and mobile platforms.

The judges will also consider whether the entry has managed to use innovation and content to find new audiences and grow revenue streams.

Please note, this category is for Digital Media only

• Entries can be a single piece of work or up to three pieces showcasing a body of work

This award is named after the Newcastle Herald veteran Chris Watson; it goes without saying that the importance of this category is the same for all regional reporting.

• The judges will be looking for exclusive stories relevant to their communities that make a difference and that use their medium in a creative manner.

• This category is based on regional-based reporters. All journalists living in the ACT, NT and TAS and all regions outside metropolitan Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney qualify for entry in the regional categories .

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

This award is named in honour of Gary Ticehurst. Yes, a helicopter pilot, not a cameraman but an individual dedicated to getting his team to a location and the right place for the best shot.

He, and superb cameraman John Bean and revered journalist Paul Lockyer, died in a helicopter crash on the shores of Lake Eyre, doing their job.

TV reporters may be the stars, but the only thing that makes their work even possible, let alone sing, is the camera operator. They have to possess stamina, great technical skill, a creative eye, editorial judgement and increasingly, in many situations, courage.

• A combination of bravery under duress, newsworthiness and technical skill will dominate the thinking of the seasoned judges in this category.

• Creativity in visualising the story is also a key quality sort in making this award.

• Entries can be a single piece of footage or up to three pieces showcasing a body of work.

Named in honour of one of the ‘trailblazers’ of Australian journalism, Mike Willesee. Sometimes this category is viewed as just as an extended news reporting or subjects of the trivial, but over decades many important stories have been revealed, told and broken in this short form. Willesee made it look vastly different

• The judges will be looking for relevance to a broad audience, news breaking and the quality of production.

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

This award is named in honour of the man known to many as TGO, ‘The Great One’ – media executive David Leckie AM.

What a wildly successful career he had, 20 years at the helm of two of our major television networks during the medium’s ‘golden era’ under the ownership of two of our most demanding owners, the two Kerry’s, Packer and Stokes. In this category, long-form is recognised for the passion, persistence, sleep deprivation and stress it requires. It also takes true dedication to righting wrongs, telling people’s difficult stories, revealing the truth with outstanding teamwork. It’s one of the most important categories.

• Entries up to one hour in length.

• Originality and impact are key to our judges’ assessment, along with newsworthiness, presentation and production values.

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

Harry Potter was the doyen of news reporters for decades his particular style ,his huge book of contacts, Harry was everywhere and hardly missed a thing.

• The judges will select finalists for exclusivity, persistence and profound impact in the TV News Reporting award, named after the late, great Harry Potter.

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

Named after the legendary broadcast journalist Paul Lockyer, the Regional Broadcast Reporting Award will recognise those journalists who succeed in reporting original stories impacting the 10 million Australians living outside the state capital cities. It may not have the cachet of ‘big city’ reporting but given the role of our regions in our culture, economy, and democracy -it is incredibly important.

• Originality, thoroughness, and impact are key attributes sought by our judges.

• This category is based on regional-based reporters. All journalists living in the ACT, NT and TAS and all regions outside metropolitan Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney qualify for entry in the regional categories .

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

Entries in this category may encompass in-depth examinations of issues of local, national or international importance be they be contemporary or historic events of significance.

This award is to recognise unique factual and journalistic content that is not part of an ongoing factual or current affairs program.

This category is for content broadcast on free-to-air television, streaming services or online.

Our judges will be looking for revelatory material that reveals formerly hidden truths, content that improves our understanding and knowledge, and that reflects the very best of public interest journalism, such as accuracy, impact, public benefit, creativity, excellent research, and top-quality imaginative filmmaking.

• Entries must be at least over seventy minutes in length but no more than three hours.

• If the documentary is part of a series that exceeds the three-hour limit, entrants must choose the three hours of content they wish to be judged on, e.g., the first three episodes

In a time when everyone can have their own radio station, Podcasts can attract audiences in the millions and so can have enormous societal impact.

• Those who are mastering this increasingly popular genre of investigative reporting and news content will be judged for journalistic and production excellence and best use of the medium.

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

• ** Given the potentially lengthy nature of stories in this category it is highly recommended that entrants submit their entry for this category as early as possible to allow proper consideration by our judges.

This category celebrates reporting that goes deeper, that reveals uncomfortable truths, holds power to account, that is in the public interest and that is, a game-changer.

• The judges will be looking for originality, research and investigative skill, strong production values, great script writing and public impact.

• Entries in this category must be the original broadcast that went to air on radio in the first instance.

• Entrants can submit up to three items on the same issue or subject.

As they say, a good picture can be worth a thousand words, as many of a single image can attest.

• The judges will recognise the entrant’s success in distilling the essence of a breaking news story.

• Also, consideration will be given to its impact, technical excellence, creativity and originality.

• Each entry must contain at least ONE published photograph.

• Entries can be a single story or up to three related articles on the same subject.

Capturing the essence of an individual can be a true test of greatness as a photographer. It requires a myriad of skills that are technical, creative and original.

• Our judges will look for work that demonstrates an ability to engage and win the confidence of the subject and who they are.

• Technical excellence and creativity will also drive our judge’s assessment.

• Each entry must contain at least ONE published photograph.

• Entries can be a single piece of work or up to three pieces showcasing a body of work.

It’s all about capturing the moment, be it the action or any part of the human theatre of sport. Concentration, reflexes, positioning, framing, and knowing your subject are just part of it.

• All the photographic judges will assess the entries on their attention to technical detail, newsworthiness, and ingenuity in capturing a sensational picture.

• Each entry must contain at least ONE published photograph.

• Entries can be a single piece of work or up to three pieces showcasing a body of work.

All photographic entries will be available to be judged by a public online vote.

• The voting portal will be functional after entry closes on July 1 . Voting will close on August 1.