These Frequently Asked Questions can also be downloaded as a PDF document here.

What date do entries close?

Entries close at 5pm, Friday, August 31, 2007

What are the conditions of entry?

All work must have been published in an Australian media outlet in the 12 months from September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2007.

What does it cost to enter the awards?

The cost of entering the awards, including GST, is $260 per entry. Through its support of the Walkley Awards, the Alliance covers the entry costs for its financial members as a benefit of membership. Financial members are not required to pay the entry fee except where a non-member is part of a group entry, in which case the normal entry fee ($260 only) is required.

What do I need to include with my entry?

• One completed entry form
• Three copies of your entry
• Three copies of your entry statement
• Payment (if necessary)

Do I have to include a 200-word entry statement?

Yes, your entry statement is to assist the judging process and should outline the case for consideration for an award. You may address the judging criteria and explain the circumstances in which the entry was produced.

Do I need to have the entry form authorised?

Yes, it is compulsory that you have it signed by your employer or employer representative to validate the work.

How many entries can I submit to the Walkley Awards?

Entrants may enter only once in each category.

Can I submit the same work into more than one category?

Entrants are allowed to submit the same work into one media-specific category (print news, radio news or TV news) as well as one relevant all-media category (all-media investigative journalism). Entrants in the ‘Coverage of the Asia-Pacific region’ award may enter the same material in the ‘International journalism’ category.

Are group entries permissible?

Yes, group entries are permissible but must follow the group entry guidelines. Click here for details.

How should I present a print entry?

Print stories should be collated and secured in three submissions, each secured with a paper clip or bulldog clip. No staples.
Do not use folders, mailing tubes or plastic sleeves to present the work.
Do not supply whole newspapers or publications.

How should I submit a television or radio entry?

Each radio and television entry should be supplied on three separate, clearly marked DVDs or CDs (for radio entries), bearing the name, address and telephone number of the entrant and the duration of the entry plus a transcript.

With discs burnt on DVD set-top recorders please ensure that the set-top recorders aspect ratio is set to the same ratio as your footage: eg, 4:3 or 16:9. Also please make sure that there is no copyright encryption that would prevent the copying & duplication of your DVD.

Most multimedia formats can be screened, however a DVD master is preferred. Where finished pieces are only available as digital video file the saved format should be QuickTime DV-PAL at the highest quality setting with a screen resolution of 720x576 (4:3) or 1024x576 (16:9).

If you can only provide work as data files on a CD-ROM or DVD use the same screen resolution as above – 720x576 (4:3) or 1024x576 (16:9) – and save your video as a QuickTime movie file saved with the DV-PAL codec set at maximum quality.

If the work can't be generated in these frame sizes we may accept frame sizes of 360x288 (4:3) or 512x288 (16:9) but the frame rate must be 25fps.

How should I submit a literary entry?

Five full versions of the published work, complete with 200-word synopsis and 200-word entry statement (five copies each) are required for book judging. The Walkley Award for ‘Best non-fiction book’ has a separate entry form. Click here to download.

How should I present an artwork entry?

Entries to the artwork section should comprise one original or high-quality copy of the cartoon or artwork. A high-resolution and low-resolution copy of the file should be included on a disc with the work.

Are there special conditions of entry for photographers?

Yes, photographers are required to fill in one Walkley Entry Form and one Photographic Entry Form. Photographers are required to send their high-resolution images on CD-ROM by mail with entry forms as well as register online via the Nikon website at ww2.nikon.com.au/ppy, where they are required to upload their low-resolution images for judging. Click here for entry form.

What are the criteria for judging?

Award winners will be chosen on the basis of journalistic excellence. This will vary according to individual categories but, in general, criteria will include:

• newsworthiness
• research
• writing
• production
• incisiveness
• impact
• public benefit
• ethics
• originality
• innovation
• creative flair

Judges will take regard of the resources available and effort expended in the preparation of the work. Click here for a detailed explanation of Award categories.

How are entries judged?

Entries are initially judged by a three-person jury. Exceptions to this are the photographic awards, which will have a five-person jury, and the non-fiction book award which will have a three-person panel presided over by the Walkley Advisory Board Chair.

The jury will recommend the best three entrants to the Walkley Advisory Board. The Board will then select the best entrant in each category, as well as the winner of the ‘Press photographer of the year’ award, ‘Journalism leadership’ award and the Gold Walkley.

Will entries be returned?

Please keep copies of all material submitted. Entries will not be returned.

Where can I get an entry form?

Entry forms are available from the Media Alliance branches in each state, in The Walkley Magazine: Inside the Australian Media – or click here to download a form.

How are finalists notified?

Finalists are announced at national finalists’ announcement events held in Sydney and Melbourne in October. National finalists will be announced on October 17, 2007. Winners of the Nikon-Walkley Prizes and all photographic finalists will also be announced on October 17 in Melbourne. Business journalism finalists will be announced on October 16. A long list of literary finalists will be announced on October 25 and a shortlist on November 15. Finalists will also be notified by mail and email.

When will winners be announced?

The winners of the Walkley Awards will be announced at the 52nd Walkley Awards gala presentation dinner in Sydney on Thursday, November 29, 2007.