Overall, judges will be looking for journalistic courage and creativity in Walkley entries.
In all cases, "report" refers to either a single report or a collection of reports/coverage of an event, subject or issue, although entrants are limited to submitting no more than three pieces of work per category. Only one entry per category is allowed.
Literary
Best non-fiction book: The Walkley literary award specifically recognises journalism in book form, and is open to all examples of journalistic non-fiction works by Australian writers. Entries may cover a diversity of issues, from true crime and biographies through to political analysis, business, war reportage, investigative journalism and foreign correspondence, for example. Authors must be Australian citizens or residents of Australia. Titles can be an edited collection by no more than five authors, can be on an Australian or international subject matter and/or historical in context. Entrants must submit the Non-Fiction Book entry form.
News report: In this category, up to three related news items may be entered. Judges are particularly looking for courageous journalism, as well as writing excellence, accuracy, storytelling, newsworthiness, ethics, research, impact and public benefit.
Newspaper feature writing and magazine feature writing: Keeping in mind the parameters of the medium, creativity, originality and writing flair will be highly regarded in this category, in addition to the general criteria.
Three headings: Sub-editors can enter their three best headlines. Judges will be looking for originality, flair and the headline's relevance to the story it heads.
Artwork
Cartoon: Creativity, innovation, wit and style will ideally combine with newsworthiness and artistic technique for the winner of the "Best cartoon" award.
Artwork: The artwork category has expanded. Judges will be looking for artwork, illustrations, digital photo illustrations or information graphics displaying creativity, innovation and style, combined with artistic technique.
Photography
Photographers are required to complete Walkleys online entry AND register online through the Nikon website to upload low-res images for judging. They also need to submit high-res entries on disc by mail, together with the relevant Walkleys and Photo entry data. All photographers may also enter the relevant all-media category, eg. "International journalism".
Entries to all photography categories may be either a single photograph or a series (up to five images) on the same subject - except in the case of photographic essay (up to 12 images) and portrait (one image only).
News photography: Newsworthiness, impact, technical superiority, creativity and originality will be looked at in this category. The winner of this award will be chosen from the winners of the Nikon-Walkley prizes for "Spot news" and "General news". Photographers may enter once in each of the news categories.
Spot news: Capturing a spontaneous news moment.
General news: Depicting news-value images on the day.
Daily life/feature photography: Images submitted for feature or magazine purposes. Ideally, they should be human-interest photos displaying creativity, originality and technical photographic excellence.
Sport: This category will reward those who capture the emotion and drama of sport. Entries may show action or feature imagery in the sporting arena.
Photographic essay: Up to 12 images of a news or feature story, of which one photograph must have been published.
Nikon-Walkley Press Photographer of the Year: Entrants must submit a body of work of six to eight images showing the photographer's range and self-editing skill. Body of work can encompass any genre.
Radio
In radio, judges will take into account the resources available for the preparation of the work entered and the collaborative nature of this medium.
News & current affairs reporting: This category recognises short-form radio journalism, from breaking news to reports and analysis. Judges will be looking for entries that make the most of the radio format and have impact, immediacy and creativity.
Feature, documentary or broadcast special: Here, radio journalists have the time to research and explore news issues and current affairs in a longer format.
Television
In television, judges will take into account the resources available for the preparation of the work entered, and the collaborative nature of this medium.
News reporting: In particular, the judges will reward reports demonstrating newsworthiness, courage, impact, incisiveness, public benefit and ethics. Entries in this category may be a single short news report or no more than three related reports on the same subject.
Current affairs reporting (less than 20 minutes): This category was created to recognise daily current affairs and analysis of news events. Reports should highlight research, public benefit, ethics, courage and impact.
Current affairs report, feature, documentary or special (more than 20 minutes): This category will recognise excellence in long-form current affairs, highlighting research, impact, storytelling and public impact.
News and current affairs camera: This category recognises camera work in Australian news, current affairs and documentary.
Online
Best online journalism: This category was created to showcase, benchmark and promote the professionalism of online journalism. It recognises original, courageous and ethical journalism in the evolving online field. The judges will also take into consideration innovative techniques in news gathering and presentation including interactives, multimedia, audio, video, animation and live interaction, crowdsourcing and modes of distribution.
All Media Categories
The all-media awards recognise all forms of media, including photography, print news and features, online, radio and television news and documentaries and/or a collaborative effort by a group or team of journalists or a media organisation.
Outstanding continuous coverage of an issue or event: Open to individuals or media outlets, this category is to showcase in-depth coverage of an issue or event over time. Each entry should include the initial story and up to four subsequent stories over the course of days, weeks or months. The progression of the initial developing story should be apparent from the follow-up coverage. Entries may be across several platforms. Each entry must be accompanied by a supporting statement giving comprehensive details of the story, and how it developed. It should also include the story's chronology and circumstances affecting its gathering and presentation as well as resources available. All work must be published during the current Walkley period of entry (1 September 2008 - 31 August 2009), but the supporting statement may make mention of work done prior or after this period.
Scoop of the year: The judges will seek to recognise the overall presentation of a breaking news story in all mediums, from its first appearance, to its development through the day and beyond to include updates and associated content. Key factors will include speed and accuracy and how they lead the pack. Supporting documentation should include a chronology and must include and document the exact moment of broadcast or publication.
Business journalism: This award recognises excellence in business, economics and finance journalism.
Coverage of community or regional affairs: This category is open only to journalists working in the community or regional media and recognises their role in reporting on and informing their local communities.
International journalism: This award recognises excellence in international journalism in the Australian media. This all-media award absorbs the previous "Coverage of Asia Pacific Region" category.
Coverage of Indigenous affairs: This award recognises excellence in coverage of Indigenous issues. Journalists and photographers working in both the Indigenous and mainstream media are encouraged to enter.
Sports journalism: This award recognises the range of sport reporting, from breaking coverage of games and major sporting events, to issues relating to the sporting industry and features on the people who populate the industry. Single sport reports or a series of up to three related stories may be submitted. Judges will be looking for impact, newsworthiness and creativity.
Social equity journalism: This award recognises the vital role of public service journalism and media reporting which addresses issues relating to social and economic equality, human rights and participatory democracy. The award will be given to journalism that measures business, governmental and social affairs against clear ideals of the common good.
Senior Journalism Categories
The Walkleys recognise excellence for senior journalists in the following categories:
Commentary, analysis, opinion & critique: This category is open to those journalists involved in comment and analysis and includes leader writers, reviewers and opinion columnists covering arts, sports, business or politics. Entrants should submit three samples, not necessarily related, to be judged as indicative of their work.
Broadcast & online interviewing: Based on three samples indicative of an entrant's work, this category will be awarded to consistently good journalism in either radio, television or online. Judges will be looking for excellence in interviewing, both live and pre-recorded, and/or hosting live broadcasts.
Outstanding contribution to journalism: Generally awarded to someone who is not necessarily at the forefront of journalism, who nonetheless has contributed to furthering their profession. Each year, the Trustees recognise the achievements of someone who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the highest standards of journalism - truth, rigour, integrity, fairness - over a lifetime. Nominations can be made through State branches of the Alliance or directly in writing to the Walkley Foundation Trustees, 245 Chalmers Street, Redfern, NSW 2016.
Journalism leadership: The Walkley Advisory Board presents this award in recognition of outstanding acts of integrity and bravery in the practise of journalism. This award may be given to an individual, or media outlet. Should you wish to bring such cases to their attention, please write to: Chair of the Board, c/- The Walkley Foundation, 245 Chalmers Street, Redfern, NSW 2016. Please note there are no finalists announced in this category. Nominations could include examples of previous work, citations from senior media and other personal references.
Gold Walkley: The Walkley Advisory Board chooses the winner of the Gold Walkley from among the winners of all other categories, except the "Journalism leadership" and "Most outstanding contribution to journalism" awards.
