MJA32 – Categories and submissions guidelines
Every participant can make his/her submissions online on igm.mt by accessing the tab on the main page. 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 only one story in each category, with each submission being treated on an individual basis.
All submissions are to be made online in digital format. The application form can be found on www.igm.mt.
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 that breaks new ground and makes headlines. Judges will look for exclusivity, timeliness, 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). Nominees must as of end 2023 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.
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 & Entertainment 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
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
Recognizing 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.
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
Recognizing 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
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.
Interviewer 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
Recognizing 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. Submissions in this category shall be judged by experts selected by Il-Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ilsien Malti.
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, recognizing 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.
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, 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.
Submission Guidelines
Before making a submission, you have to sign up to become an IĠM member. Use the form here and be sure to select the IĠM Membership Pack.
If you plan to make multiple submissions, follow this procedure for each one. If you stop before completing a submission, the information entered will be saved and can be accessed through the email you received when you first started the application form.
Step-by-Step Submission Process:
- Go to igm.mt
- Click on ‘Awards Nominations’ on the homepage. A new tab will open, titled ‘New Application Form for Nomination to the Malta Journalism Awards.’ Here, enter the Name of the Journalist(s) or Team, email, and mobile number. When ready, click ‘Create Application Form.’
- Check your email for the link to access your application form. Be sure to check your junk folder too.
- In the new tab, click on ‘Modify’ to add details for your submission:
- Select a category from the drop-down menu.
- Enter the media house that published the article/feature.
- Upload a photo of the applicant in JPEG format, sized 600px (W) x 900px (H), showing the face to shoulders (portrait orientation).
- Click ‘Save.’
- Click on Synopsis and press ‘Modify’. Write a synopsis (up to 1000 characters) describing your submission. Click ‘Save.’
- Click on Media and select ‘Google Drive Folder’. Upload your media files, which may include:
- PDF for printed or online content.
- JPG for photos.
- MOV/MP4 for audiovisual content.
- A Google Drive folder has been shared with you. Upload your media to the folder and refresh the page to confirm the uploads are attached to the nomination.
- Return to the Application tab and click on ‘Membership’. Press ‘Modify’ and select your membership status (paid member or not).
- 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
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
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-STORY.MOV