Entries are now open for the Society of Editors’ Press Awards for 2020, known as the ‘Oscars’ for the British Press.
The awards, run by the Society on behalf of the industry, will celebrate the best of UK national journalism during 2020.
With revised, new and returning categories, entries can be made for work published in print, website, online, mobile, video, audio or any other news delivery format in any UK national newspaper or any news website or platform primarily covering UK national news during 2020 (excluding broadcast media).
The British Journalism Review’s Cudlipp Award, in memory of celebrated Mirror Editor Hugh Cudlipp, will now be awarded to recognise excellence in popular journalism while a separate Campaign of the Year category has been created and is open to all titles and teams.
Judging for Newspaper and News Website of the Year has been adjusted for 2020, with an additional emphasis given to the overall performance of the publication.
Additional categories for the awards include two categories celebrating innovation: Digital Initiative of the Year and Innovation of the Year as well as two categories expanding upon the recognition of the impressive supplements and magazines produced by newspapers with Magazine: Popular and Special Supplement of the Year.
A new category recognising Data Journalist of the Year also appears for the first time. And the awards include a new category: Driving Diversity to reflect the growing ambitions of the industry to tackle this challenge.
Reflecting on the momentous year in which the world has lived through, executive director of the Society of Editors and chair of the judges, Ian Murray said the press had performed its role remarkably under pressures previously unknown to this era.
He said: “In spite of the collective challenges, this year has proved more than ever the vital responsibility and achievements of national newspapers in providing trusted and essential journalism to individuals, families, businesses and communities.
“The awards remain the most prestigious occasion in the industry’s calendar and we are determined to give full recognition of the quality, diversity and success of editors, writers and columnists in national news media.” The closing date for entries has been extended this year to Wednesday 13 January 2021, allowing time for even the very last stories of the year to be included.
A shortlist will be announced in February 2021. An awards event will be staged in the spring of 2021 with details to be announced.
Early entries are encouraged. Proceeds will help fund the Society of Editors’ campaigns for press freedom.
