Malta Journalism Awards 30 – Rules and Regulations

The Event: The Malta Journalism Awards is an annual event organised by the Malta Journalism Awards Commission within The Institute of Maltese Journalists, Istitut tal-Ġurnalisti Maltin (IĠM).

Aim: The aim of the Awards is to honour journalists or contributors whose work, published in the previous calendar year, contributed to the enhancement of the journalism profession in Malta.

Eligibility: All Maltese journalists and/or contributors to the media in Malta and abroad are eligible to participate in this contest. These works must have been published in any Maltese or foreign media during the previous calendar year (1 January-31 December, 2019). Evidence of publication must be presented (in case of print, in pdf or jpeg format)

None of the Malta Journalism Awards Commission can participate in the awards.

Submissions can also be made by any Editor or News Editor for any journalist or contributor, irrespective of whether that journalist or contributor is a member of his/her staff or not, as long as the Editor or News Editor obtains permission from that particular journalist or contributor.

Fees: Members of the Istitut tal-Ġurnalisti Maltin or Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sport, who have a valid membership card and are up to date in their membership fees, participate free of charge. Members will have to include their membership card number once accessing the online submission (for queries contact igm.mediamalta@gmail.com). All other participants pay €50 to participate in the Awards.

Submissions: Every participant can make his/her submissions online on igm.mt by accessing the tab at the top right corner. Submissions must be made according to the criteria established for each category, clearly indicating the date and medium of publication and the category in which the news item is competing. A person can submit up to three submissions in each category, with each submission being treated on an individual basis.

All submissions are to be made online in digital format. The application for can be found on igm.mt ‘s homepage.

Submission Guidelines: (in case one opts to make more than one submission, the applicant has to follow this procedure for each submission. In case the applicant ceases to complete the submission, the completed areas will be saved and may be accessed via the email sent when the application form is initiated)

Step 1 – Go to igm.mt

Step 2 – Click on ‘Awards Nominations’ on the top right corner of the web page

Step 3 – A new tab will open entitled ‘New Application Form for Nomination to the Malta Journalism Awards’ whereby the Name of Journalist(s) or Team, email and mobile number will be requested. When ready, press ‘Create Application Form’

Step 4 – Please check your email to access your application form.

Step 5 – A new tab will open. Click on ‘Modify’ to add the details in relation to your submission. Press on Category where a drop-down menu will appear. Please select the category that you wish to apply for. Type the media house that had published the article/feature. Upload a photo of the applicant according to the following specs: JPEG format. Framing face to shoulders (not full body). Size: 600px (W) by 900px (H). Portrait orientation. Click ‘Save’.

Step 6 – Click on Synopsis and press ‘ Modify’. Write a synopsis that describes your submission not exceeding 1000 characters. Clck Save.

Step 7 – Click on Media and press Google Drive Folder. In this section you will be requested to upload Media for that nomination.

Media may include printed or online content in PDF format, photos in JPG format or audiovisual content in MOV/MP4 format.

A Google Drive folder has been shared with you. Upload your media to this folder and reload this page to confirm that your uploads have been attached to this Nomination.

Step 8 – Return to the Application tab and click on Membership. Press ‘Modify’. Click below Membership status and select whether you are a paid member of a non-member. In case you are a paid member, kindly include your membership number. Kindly contact the General Secretary on igm.mediamalta.org.mt in case you require assistance on this number and regarding your membership

status. In case you are a non-member, you will be requested to to make the payment via paypal or via a debit or credit card online.

Step 9 – Click ‘Submit Application’

Digital File Format Submissions Specifications:

Photo of participants:

• JPEG format – framing only face to shoulders (No full body shots).
• Size: 600 pixels (W) by 900 pixels (H) Portrait (150 to 300 dpi).
• File name must clearly indicate the participant’s name e.g.:

JOE BORG.JPG 

Printed Articles: 

• JPEG or PDF format.
• Size:  A4 portrait or landscape, 2,480 by 3,508 pixels – 300 dpi.
• Double page or more articles are to be sent as separate JPEGs per page, or as a separate pages in the PDF file.
• File name must  indicate the participant’s name and the title of Article (and page number for JPEGs) e.g.:

JOE BORG-BEING FAMOUS-PG1.JPG

 or

 JOE BORG-BEING FAMOUS.PDF

Online Articles:

• PDF file format.
• The Web article needs to be printed to a PDF file, as an A4 size page Portrait/Landscape, using the Print to PDF option in the web browser.
• PDF file name must  indicate the participant’s name and the title of Article:

JOE BORG-BEING FAMOUS.PDF

PHOTOS and IMAGES for the Photography Categories:

• JPEG– NO COMPRESSION – BEST QUALITY.
• File name must  indicate the participant’s name and the title of the file, e.g.:

JOE BORG-SPORTS.JPG

FOOTAGE SEQUENCES for the Audiovisual Categories:

• Quicktime (.MOV) file – PHOTO JPEG or H264 codec – NO COMPRESSION (i.e.,100%).
• Size: minimum of 1,0240×576 pixels, 25 fps, PAL format.
• File name must  indicate the participant’s name and title of the file, e.g.:

JOE BORG-DETONATING BOMBS.MOV

Categories:

The Malta Journalism Awards consist of seventeen (18) categories, namely:

Investigation of the Year

• This award is for the most incisive and revelatory public interest investigation of the year. The judges will be looking for work which is compelling and which brings significant new information to light on a matter of public interest. The judges are looking for work which shows journalistic skill and rigour, is revelatory and which serves the public interest. Follow up stories are to be presented to bolster the submission. A supporting statement of up 500 words must also be included. Collaborative entries are accepted.

• The submission can be made on any medium (online, newspaper, TV, radio, etc)

Best Upcoming Journalist of the Year

• Applicants must be submitted by editors or other IGM members (not the applicant themselves)
• Nominees must as of end 2020 be under the age of 30 and not have worked in a newsroom for more  than four years
• Submissions must include at least three stories (across any medium) which prove the journalist’s ability to produce good, factual and impactful journalism, as well as a covering letter detailing the journalist’s promise.

Print Journalism – News

• This is the prize for the best story of the year on the print media. The judges are looking for work which had an impact, brought new information to light and served the public interest. 
• Submissions must have been published on a newspaper
• Submissions will be judged on the ability of the author to use the written word effectively in a news story
• The winning submission must clearly demonstrate exceptional, appropriate and original use of language to tell a story
• The judges will also assess the headline used and the format in which the story is presented.

Audiovisual Journalism – News

• This is the prize for the best story of the year using audiovisual media. The judges are looking for work which had an impact, brought new information to light and served the public interest. 
• Submissions must have appeared on TV or online and must be shorter than five minutes
• Submissions will be judged on their relevance and impact as well as their use of the short-form audiovisual medium (e.g. storytelling, scripting, editing, filming, animation and technical ability etc)
• Submissions must be related to a news or current affairs story

Audiovisual Journalism – Footage

• This award will go to a video journalist who submits an impressive and exclusive piece of raw footage that demonstrates their ability to be focused on getting their job right while in the right place at the right time. No script is to be submitted with this entry although submissions can include a short description to set the scene for the footage. Footage should not be edited (hence, raw footage), with a maximum duration of 30 minutes is to be submitted

Audio Journalism – Radio/Podcast

• This award is open to audio productions broadcast on radio or online
• The winning submission must demonstrate the most relevant and impactful audio production.
• Extra points will be given for making best use of the medium
• This can be either excerpts or a full-length radio documentary or interview. The entry should be between 10 to 60 minutes duration.
• Submissions to include date of broadcast and medium

Online Journalism

• This is the prize for the best story of the year on the online media. The judges are looking for work which had an impact, brought new information to light and served the public interest. 
• Submissions must have been published on online platform
• Submissions will be judged on the ability of the nominee to make appropriate, technical and creative use of the online medium (e.g. writing, audiovisual, graphs, immediacy, interaction etc)

Photojournalism – News/Current Affairs

• Submissions must demonstrate excellent photography skills
• The winning submission must be particularly impressive, expressive, exclusive and/or impactful, relating to a story within the news and current affairs category.

Photojournalism – Open

• Submissions must demonstrate excellent photography skills
• The winning submission must be particularly impressive, expressive, exclusive and/or impactful, relating to any category but excluding sports and news/current affairs

Sports Journalism

• Outstanding sports reporting in print, television, radio or online. Entries may be sports news, feature items or any combination of journalistic elements.
• This is for the sports journalist who has done the most to investigate the world of sport and serve the public interest. The judges are looking for work which shows journalistic skill and rigour, is revelatory and which serves the public interest.
• As a medium neutral category, judges will be looking at the complete package, including how the applicant made the best use of the medium in question. A script must accompany the submission.

Sports Photography

• Submissions must demonstrate excellent photography skills
• Submissions must be related to a sport or sports event, both locally or overseas
• The winning submission must be particularly impressive, expressive, exclusive and/or impactful, relating to a story within the sports category.
• Since a photograph can sometimes stand on its own, entries in this category, adequately captioned, can be submitted by the photographer, irrespective of any accompanying story.

Feature

• This award is for the best features journalist of the year. It rewards excellent journalism on a matter of public interest which could be descriptive or of a human interest nature and shows evidence of fine writing. This category is not intended for investigations or comment. The judges are looking for work which shows journalistic skill and rigour, is revelatory and which serves the public interest.
• Submissions will be judged on the ability of the author to use the written word effectively in a feature (e.g. interview, human interest, analysis, travel report etc) 
• The winning submission must clearly demonstrate exceptional, appropriate and original use of language to tell a story
• As a medium neutral category, judges will be looking at the complete package, including how the applicant made the best use of the medium in question. In case of audiovisual submissions, features must be longer than 5 minutes. A script must accompany the submission.

Specialised Journalism

• This category is aimed at specialised journalism (such as cultural, environmental, financial, technology, legal, etc) which are not covered by one of the other categories. The judges are looking for work which shows journalistic skill and rigour, is revelatory and which serves the public interest.

Opinion Articles/Editorials

• This award is open to opinion-led submissions, irrespective of their medium. Submissions can be published on all media (print, online, tv, radio, etc).
• The award will go to the nominee who demonstrates the most relevant and impactful opinion piece.
• The judges will evaluate the script presented, including the structured approach.

Human Interest Story of the Year

• This award is open to human interest submissions, irrespective of their medium. 
• The award will go to the nominee who demonstrates the most relevant and impactful human interest piece.

Cartoon of the Year

• This award will go to a cartoonist who presents the most relevant and impactful cartoon published on a newspaper or online. 

Best use of Maltese Language in Journalism (No submission required)

• This award will go to the person who submitted the best nomination using the Maltese language.  
• All Maltese submissions made for other categories will be automatically nominated.Submissions in this category shall be judged by experts selected by Il-Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ilsien Malti.

The Gold Award

• Nominations for the Gold Award, a trophy presented by the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) to person/s or institutions who have contributed towards the development of local journalism, will be open until 15th October. The board awarding the prize is made up of the President Emeritus and two members flanked by a secretary chosen from the officials of the Malta Journalism Awards Commission.
• No one is allowed to nominate himself for the award; however, the public is invited to nominate any individuals or groups who may qualify for this honour. Submissions should include a log of published work, reference letters, and a bibliography regarding the nominee, as well as a note to describe the reasons for the nomination.
• Nominees are expected to have performed beyond the ordinary call of professional journalistic duty. The IĠM stresses that the Gold Award shall only be awarded if the adjudicating board deems the person/s, association or institution concerned truly deserves recognition.

All submitted works will become the property of the Istitut tal-Ġurnalisti Maltin, which can use them in any appropriate way after consulting with author/photographer, when it deems fit.

Judging Panels: All submissions are adjudicated by a panel of judges, including the Chairperson, appointed by the Malta Journalism Awards Commission. A different panel of judges will adjudicate the Gold Award submissions.

Classification: Judges will establish the first three classified in every category in order of merit. If, in any category, the judging panel finds that submissions did not reach the desired standard, they may decide to classify only two, one or even nobody, depending on the respective case.

Prizes: Three finalists will be announced in each category, with the winner in each of the categories receives a trophy, a certificate and a monetary prize. The two runners-up will each receive a certificate.

Presentation: The winners will be announced at a Presentation Ceremony to be held on Saturday, 14th November, 2020.

Closing Date: Submissions for the 30th edition of the Malta Journalism Awards will be received by Friday 25th September 2020.