The Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism are presented annually in Australia to recognise and reward the best in the craft. Finalists are selected by eminent journalists and photographers and overall winners judged by the Walkley Judging Board.
See all the Walkley Awards categories.
The awards cover all media and have grown organically over the years, expanding to encompass the changing nature of the media industry and innovation in journalism. More than 1400 entries are received each year across 30 categories. The Walkleys also recognise excellence in longform journalism through the Walkley Book and Documentary awards. The Gold Walkley is the most prestigious award, chosen from all category winners.
The Walkley Awards exist to recognise “creative and courageous acts of journalism that seek out the truth and give new insight to an issue”. They reward excellence, independence, innovation and originality in storytelling and distinctive reporting. This can be through research and investigations, well-crafted and innovative presentations, news-breaking single stories and engaging, entertaining and/or informative reporting.
All entries must have been published, broadcast or televised in Australia in the 12 months from September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023.
- Eligibility for the Walkley Awards is based on independent acts of journalism, free from any commercial or corporate interests. All entries must be factually based.
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Photography and longform
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Entry Information
All entries must have been published/broadcast in Australia in the 12 months from Sept. 1, 2022, to Aug. 31, 2023.
General criteria in assessing entries include:
- How the story was initiated and followed (with particular credit given for instigating or finding a story)
- Newsworthiness, including exclusivity
- Creativity and innovation
- Research and investigation
- Balance, accuracy and ethics
- Consideration of the resources available
- Consideration of production pressures, deadlines and time constraints
- Demonstration of best use of the format/s in which the work was published or broadcast, including clever choices in storytelling through multimedia
- Excellence in written or verbal communication and/or technical and production skill
- Public impact or benefit, including audience engagement and serving specific communities
The Walkley Awards for Excellence in Photojournalism recognise visual journalists producing still photography for any platform. Criteria include storytelling, courage, public impact, creativity, innovative use of technology, technical ability and resourcefulness and can include soundslides and photofilm. Only photos taken between Sept 1, 2022 to Aug 31, 2023 are eligible for entry. Each entry must contain at least one published picture.
Outstanding Contribution to Journalism (chosen by the Walkley Directors):
This year the directors will only consider women nominees as they seek to redress the gender balance in recipients.
Each year, the Walkley Board of Directors recognise the achievements of a person or group that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the highest standards of journalism – truth, rigour, integrity and fairness – over their career or period of operation.
This category has been presented since 1992 and has been won by 21 men, seven women and two organisations (no award was presented in 1993). Given this clear imbalance does not reflect the make-up of our industry, in 2023 the directors of the Walkley Foundation will present multiple awards to outstanding women journalists – from the 1990s until today – whose work has not been recognised in this category.
If you have any questions or need help please contact
Kym Middleton, kym.middleton@walkleys.com| +61 401 512 583
For finalists and winners announcements and all the latest Walkley News, sign up for our weekly newsletter.
2022 Walkley Award Winners
Read the full list of winners for the 67th Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism here.
View Winners