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The Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism

Finalists for the 2024 Walkley Awards were announced 10 October. Read the announcement here.

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. Winners of the 68th Walkley Awards were announced on 23 November, 2023.

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.

In 2024 all entries must have been published in Australia between 1 September, 2023 and 19 August, 2024.

  • 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.

The Walkley Awards entry fee is $200. MEAA members still get the best deal, with free entry as part of their membership.

Read the Terms & Conditions and FAQs before submitting your entry.

If you have any questions please contact Margie Smithurst, margie.smithurst@walkleys.com

To find out when we announce finalists and winners, sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Entry Information

All entries must have been published/broadcast in Australia between 1 September, 2023 and 19 August, 2024

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 1 Sept, 2023 to 19 Aug, 2024 are eligible for entry. Each entry must contain at least one published picture.

Outstanding Contribution to Journalism: 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. Entries have now closed.

If you have any questions or need help please contact walkleys@walkleys.com.

For finalists and winners announcements and all the latest Walkley News, sign up for our weekly newsletter.

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