The Walkley Foundation - Young Australian Journalist FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about the Young Australian Journalist of the Year awards

What date do entries close?

Entries close at 5pm, Friday March 19, 2010

What are the conditions of entry?

All work must have been published or broadcast through Australian media outlets between March 15, 2009 and March 14, 2010.

Are students eligible to enter?

Only final year students are allowed to enter. Entries will be accepted from student publications, broadcast and online media but must be signed off by the Head of Department.

If I chose to enter three stories in each category, must they be related?

No they do not.

What does it cost to enter the awards?

The cost of entering the awards, including GST, is $200 per entry. Through its support of the Young Australian Journalist of the Year Awards, the Alliance covers the entry costs for its financial members as a benefit of membership. Final year journalism students are eligible for free one-year membership to the Alliance. Please contact us or call 1300 656 513

What do I need to include with my entry?

One completed entry form
Four copies of each entry
Four copies of a supporting statement

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 editor, employer or employer representative to validate the work.

How many entries can I submit to the Young Journalist of the Year Awards?

Entrants may enter only once in each category.

Are group entries permissible?

No.

How should I present a print entry?

Please provide four CDs with the entered articles saved as PDFs and four photocopies.

How should I submit a television or radio entry?

Each radio and television entry should be supplied on four 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 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.

Are there special conditions of entry for photographers?

Photographers are required to send their high-resolution images on CD by mail with 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.

How are entries judged?

All entries will be judged by a three-person jury who will determine the three finalists in each category. The same jury will then decide the winner of their category. The Young Australian Journalist of the Year award will be chosen from each of the category winners and judged by members of the Walkley Advisory Board.

Will entries be returned?

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

Where can I get an entry form?

To submit your entry click here and follow the online prompts. At the end of the online submission process, you will be asked to print a packing slip which is to be attached to your complete entry and posted to The Media Alliance. Failure to provide the stipulated material may result in disqualification of the entry.