MJA33 – Celebrating together
The Malta Journalism Awards is a regular fixture in IĠM’s yearly calendar of events. This year’s awards, which will be held at the Verdala Palace on Saturday 18th October, will be an extra special event as it is the first time the IĠM is hosting the awards after becoming a trade union.
Last year, the IĠM made several changes to the awards. We overhauled the category list to include more specialised categories, and we used one adjudicating panel with Maltese and foreign jury members to make sure everyone is given a fair chance. The changes are not stopping there.
Apart from minor amendments to certain categories, including the removal of the upper age limit in the Upcoming Journalist award, the most notable change to this year’s awards is a change in fee structure. In the past, submissions could only be made by members of the IĠM. This year, nominations will be open to all media workers, regardless of their membership status, against a one-time submission fee of €20. However, IĠM members can enjoy a 75% discount on this fee by contacting a member of the MJA Organising Committee to collect their unique discount code.
The IĠM is in the middle of a transformation to become a sustainable trade union that can reliably look out for its members. This change in fee structure is a small part of a wider change we are creating as we take our first steps as a trade union.
As we open the nominations for the awards, we will also be reaching out to media workers to collect feedback on the government’s public consultation for media reform. With busy months ahead, the IĠM looks forward to celebrating everyone’s work at the MJA ceremony on 18th October.
MJA Organising Committee – List of members
Matthew Xuereb
Nicole Meilak
Daniel Ellul
Sarah Carabott
Rules and regulations
Eligibility
All journalists and/or contributors to the media in Malta and Maltese nationals abroad are eligible to participate in this contest.
MJA33 will cover works published between 1st July 2024 and 31st July 2025. Evidence of publication must be presented.
None of the members of the Malta Journalism Awards Organising Committee can participate in the awards.
Fees
Nominations are open to all journalists against a one-time submission fee of €20. Media workers who were IĠM members as of 1st July 2025 will be eligible for a 75% discount on this submission fee (final fee of €5). Members can contact a member of the MJA Organising Committee or send an email at info@igm.mt for their individual discount code. MSJA members can also benefit from this discount code after presenting proof of membership to one of the committee members.
Submissions
Submissions can only be made through this form, where journalists can upload their material and pay their submission fee.
This year, the IĠM will not accept applications on behalf of other journalists except for in the Upcoming Journalist and Gold Award categories.
Submissions must be made according to the criteria established for each category. A person can submit only one story in each category. If two or more stories are submitted, only the first submission will be considered.
Submissions will be received by Monday 8th September at midday.
IĠM reserves the right to use submitted works in promotional material and during the awards night.
Judges and classification
All submissions will be adjudicated by one panel of judges, including the Chairperson, appointed by the Malta Journalism Awards Organising Committee.
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.
Three finalists will be announced in each category, with the winner in each of the categories receiving a trophy and a certificate. The two runners-up will each receive a certificate.
The winners will be announced at a Malta Journalism Awards Ceremony that will be held on Saturday, 18th October 2025 at the Verdala Palace in Buskett Gardens.
Awards List
- Best Investigation
- Scoop of the Year
- Upcoming Journalist
- Environment and Planning Journalism
- Business journalism
- Crime & legal affairs
- Art & culture journalism
- Comment journalism
- Features journalism (Human interest story)
- Political journalism
- Sports journalism
- Photojournalism
- Best use of video
- Sports photojournalism
- Best cartoon
- Best podcast episode
- Interview of the Year
- Specialist Journalism
- Best use of Maltese Language
- Journalism that Promotes the Rights of Persons with Disability
- Gold Award (not open to nominations)
Categories
The Malta Journalism Awards will consist of 20 categories, namely:
Best Investigation
Honouring an outstanding investigative story that uncovers important facts and exposes the truth. Judges will look for thorough research, originality, and the public impact of the investigation. Follow-up stories can be presented to bolster the submission. A supporting statement of up to 500 words must also be included.
Scoop of the Year
Awarding the most impactful and exclusive news story of the year. Judges will look for exclusivity and the overall impact of the scoop.
Upcoming Journalist
Celebrating emerging talent in journalism, showcasing promising individuals making their mark in the industry. Judges will consider potential, creativity, and journalistic integrity in this category.
Applicants must be submitted by editors or other IGM members (not the applicant themselves). This year, there is no age limit on the nominees, but they must have worked in a newsroom for no 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.
Environment and Planning Journalism
Recognising a story that excellently reports on environmental and urban planning issues shaping Malta’s future. Judges will seek depth of analysis, clarity, and the story’s contribution to public understanding of environmental challenges.
Business Journalism
Awarding a standout business story that offers insightful analysis and explores key financial or economic issues. Judges will look for accuracy, clarity, and the ability to explain complex matters in an engaging way.
Crime & Legal Affairs Journalism
Highlighting a story that provides in-depth reporting on crime, legal issues, or the justice system. Judges will focus on accuracy, investigative depth, and the story’s significance to the public interest.
Art & Culture Journalism
Acknowledging a story that creatively and engagingly covers Malta’s vibrant arts, culture, or entertainment scenes. Judges will look for originality, creativity, and the ability to capture the essence of the cultural subject.
Comment Journalism
Honoring a powerful piece of commentary that provides a thought-provoking perspective on key issues. Judges will seek well-argued, clear, and compelling opinions that stimulate public debate.
Features Journalism/Human interest
Celebrating a long-form feature that tells a compelling, human-centered story with depth and originality. Judges will evaluate storytelling quality, depth of research, and emotional engagement.
Political Journalism
Recognising a well-reported story on political developments or public affairs in Malta. Judges will look for balance, depth of analysis, and relevance in political reporting.
Sports Journalism
Awarding an exceptional sports story that showcases the passion, dedication, and achievements in the world of sports. Judges will focus on the quality of coverage, depth of insight, and the ability to bring sports stories to life.
Photojournalism
Honoring a powerful and evocative photograph that captures the essence of a news story or event. Judges will look for visual impact, composition, and the story conveyed through the image.
Best use of video
Recognising outstanding storytelling through video, showcasing creativity, technical skill and strong narrative impact. Judges will be looking for entries that combine compelling visuals, clear reporting and effective editing to engage audiences and convey the story with clarity and depth.
Sports Photojournalism
Celebrating an outstanding sports photograph that vividly captures key moments in the world of sports. Judges will seek action, emotion, and technical excellence in the shot.
Best Cartoon
Recognising the best editorial cartoon that offers sharp social or political commentary through creative illustration. Judges will look for wit, originality, and the ability to communicate complex ideas through imagery.
Best Podcast Episode
Awarding an innovative podcast episode that informs, engages, and inspires listeners. Judges will assess originality, production quality, and the podcast’s ability to captivate its audience.
Interview of the Year
Honouring the best interview story that offers deep insights and new perspectives through the interviewer’s questions. Judges will consider the quality of the questions, depth of the interview, and the insights revealed.
Specialist Journalism
Recognising a standout story that demonstrates expertise and depth in a niche area of reporting. Judges will look for depth of knowledge, clarity, and the story’s ability to inform a wider audience.
Best Use of the Maltese Language (no submission required)
Celebrating a story that showcases the beauty and precision of the Maltese language in its journalistic approach. Judges will focus on the richness of language, accuracy, and the creative use of Maltese.
All Maltese submissions made for other categories will be automatically nominated.
Journalism that Promotes the Rights of Persons with Disability
Awarding a story that advocates for and promotes the rights and inclusion of persons with disability. Judges will evaluate sensitivity, impact, and the story’s effectiveness in raising awareness and promoting change.
Gold Award
The highest honour, recognising a lifetime of impactful journalism through stories that have significantly shaped the media landscape in Malta. Judges will consider the body of work and the nominee’s contribution to journalism. Nominees are expected to have performed beyond the ordinary call of professional journalistic duty.
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 via email on info@igm.mt. Submissions should include a log of published work and a note to describe the reasons for the nomination.
In a change from previous years, the winner will be chosen by the IĠM Executive Council. The Council reserves the right to declare as winner someone who was not nominated by the public.