All entries must have been first published, posted or aired in 2025.

Eligible entrants include

• Professional newspapers, radio, and television stations operating in a New York state market

• Individual journalists working at those outlets

• Independent journalists producing content for a New York state market or audience

• College newspapers, television and radio stations, and student journalists enrolled at New York institutions

Additional guidelines

• Entrant credits must use individual names. Do not enter generic terms like “staff” or “news team.” 

• Entries appearing in multiple outlets must be submitted under the newsroom where the journalist(s) are based.

• Each organization must designate a Contestant Manager, who is responsible for authorizing additional entrants.

Unless otherwise noted, award entries must be submitted and paid by credit card through the contest platform.

Submit and pay by Sunday, August 2, 2026, to receive the standard entry fees listed below. Entries submitted August 3–9 incur a $5 late fee per entry. The final submission deadline is Sunday, August 9, 2026.

Standard entry fees (through August 2):

• Television

  • TV I (Large Market): $75

  • TV II (Medium Market): $50

  • TV III (Small Market): $40

• Radio: $40 per entry

• Newspaper: $40 per entry

• College newspapers, radio, and television: $25 per entry

Special awards

The following special awards are free to enter and must be submitted by email. See the Special Awards section below for category descriptions, eligibility requirements, and submission instructions.

• Lifetime Achievement Award

• Michael Hendricks Journalist of the Year

• Bruce Cromie Photo Award

• Art Athens General Excellence in Reporting (Radio)

• Newspaper of Distinction

• The Newcomer Award (new for 2026)

Professional broadcast divisions

• TV I – Large Market: NYC metro area

• TV II – Medium Market: Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Capital District

• TV III – Small Market: All other New York communities

• Radio I: Licensed in a Top 50 Nielsen Radio Market

• Radio II: All other licensed markets

Professional newspaper divisions
For the 2026 awards, we will no longer determine the competition according to a newspaper’s circulation. Instead we now break newspapers into three categories:

• Large Market: NYC Metro area

• Medium Market: Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Capital District

• Small Market: All other New York communities

College division

All institutions compete in a single tier per category, regardless of enrollment or circulation. NOTE: Student entries submitted in professional categories will compete in the division of the organization entering the work.

• College newspaper

• College radio

• College TV 

Please read the category descriptions carefully and enter your work in the category that is the best fit. Judges can disqualify entries that do not fit a category and entries will not be moved from one category to another. 

Time Limits: Time limits are indicated in each category description. Entries can be edited to fit the time limits, but all entries must be a continuous segment and may not exceed the stated time limit. Editing within the segment is not allowed.

CATEGORIES OPEN TO NEWSPAPERS AND BROADCAST DIVISIONS

• Investigative/Watchdog Reporting – Investigative journalism that uncovers wrongdoing or systemic issues - The entry may be one story, a series, section or ongoing story that shows extraordinary investigative effort and research resulting in exposing previously hidden or secret facts or unethical or illegal activity involving a matter of public interest. A written summary may be submitted with the entry, showing how the story developed, obstacles faced, investigative methods used and evidence of the ultimate impact of the story. Where relevant, data visualization or other illustrative elements should be included and highlighted. Broadcast time limit: 15 minutes

• Enterprise Reporting – Original reporting showing initiative and depth - This entry may be one story, a series, section or ongoing story that shows a commitment and persistence to reporting on a matter of public interest. Entries must focus on original, non-press release journalism and show a depth of sourcing, research, angles, interviews and compelling visuals. A written summary may be submitted showing the scope and creativity of the reporting. Broadcast time limit: 15 minutes.

• Feature Story -  Profile, trend piece, or long-form human-interest story - This award recognizes high achievement and dedication to the craft of feature reporting. This could be a human-interest profile, interview, trend story or feature on any topic that is not hard, breaking news. Emphasis is on quality of writing and all creative visual and/or audio elements. Sidebars or related productions appearing on the same day as the entry can be considered part of the entry. If broadcast, the report must have aired during a regularly scheduled news program. Broadcast time limit: 15 minutes.

• Public Service – Work that led to measurable impact in the community - The entry can be one story, a series, a section, developing story or non-traditional approach like an event or magazine. A letter explaining the contribution the story made to the community or public service may accompany the entry. Broadcast time limit: 15 minutes

• Spot News Coverage – Breaking news coverage of unexpected events - Coverage of a breaking news event that is unplanned, unscheduled and requires immediate news department response. Entry must be published on a single day and can include multiple stories and sidebars. Broadcast time limit: 20 minutes

• Digital Presence – Overall strength and reach across a publication or station’s digital channels - Judges will be asked to view an organization’s website(s), social media feeds and apps. Organizations will be judged on the entire digital presentation, including content, overall appearance, ease of navigation, success at building an online audience and whether the site appears to be a valuable resource to the community.

• Narrative Podcast – This entry can be human-interest profile, trend story or feature on any topic (including sports) that is not hard, breaking news. If the entry is part of a podcast series, enter a single representative episode. Time Limit: 60 minutes. 

  • NOTE: In this category individuals and all broadcast OR newspaper organizations compete against each other. 

• News Podcast – This entry must be a single episode of a podcast with a news or public affairs theme that is published on a regularly scheduled basis (i.e. daily, weekly, bi-weekly). Time limit: 60 minutes.

• Sports Podcast –‍ Entry must be a single episode of a podcast with a sports theme that is published on a regularly scheduled basis (i.e. daily, weekly, bi-weekly). ‍Time limit: 60 minutes.

• Social Media Overall Presence – Holistic use of social to amplify journalism and engage the public - This award celebrates innovative social media use and presence. Entries should elevate the reporting of the news outlet, and encourage public engagement.

  • NOTE: In this category individuals and all broadcast OR newspaper organizations compete against each other. 

NEWSPAPER ONLY CATEGORIES

The following categories are only part of the newspaper contest. No broadcast entries will be allowed in these categories.

• Arts & Entertainment Reporting – Single piece about arts, culture, performance, or criticism - A single profile, interview, trend story, review, commentary, column or feature on any arts and entertainment topic, including movies, theater, music, opera, dance, art, architecture, television and literature. Emphasis is on quality of writing. Sidebars can be included. Series are not eligible. Entry may include print and/or online materials.

• Business Writing – Single story or series focused on business topics - To recognize high achievement and dedication to the craft of business writing, focusing on businesses local to the newspaper’s coverage area. The entry may be one story or package of stories or series that shows extraordinary business reporting and writing on a single topic.

• Column Writing – To recognize high achievement and dedication to the craft of writing opinion, commentary, criticism, mood, humor, etc. Entries should consist of three bylined columns. 

• Editorial Writing – To recognize high achievement and dedication to the craft of editorial writing. Applicants can submit up to three samples of their work.

• Sports Column – Up to three opinion columns on sports topics - To recognize high achievement and dedication to the craft of writing columns related to sports. Entries may consist of up to three columns. An individual may be entered only once.

• Full Page Design – News – A complete news page, including A1 or section fronts - A reproduction of a full page. Entries can come from any full page, including Page One and special publications like magazines and one-time special sections. 

• Full Page Design – Feature or Sports – A full feature or sports design from any publication - A reproduction of a full page. Entries can come from any full page and special publications like magazines and one-time special sections.

• Headline Writing – Up to three headlines per entry, clearly marked for judges - To recognize high achievement in headline writing.

• Feature Photo – Creative or emotional storytelling via a single image - Shows the photographer’s skill and imagination in an interesting or unusual angle. One photo per entry. Submit a jpeg, along with a PDF to show published use or a link for online-only use.

• Spot News Photo – Powerful moment captured in breaking news - Shows the photographer’s skill in capturing the essence of a news event. One photo per entry. Submit a jpeg, along with a PDF to show published use or a link for online-only use. 

• Sports Photo – Action or emotion from a sporting event - Shows skill and imagination capturing a moment at a game or sporting event. One photo per entry. Submit a jpeg, along with a PDF to show published use or a link for online-only use. 

• Photo Story or Online Gallery – A series of up to 10 photos telling a visual story - Shows skill and imagination in multiple photos that develop a story line with unique and complementary images. Submit no more than ten photos per entry. This can be either a print or digital photo story. 

• Digital Storytelling – Standalone or enhanced story that uses digital tools (data viz, scrollytelling, etc.) - A digital story that maximizes a newspaper’s online storytelling tools, whether that be data visualization or other enhancements or using a particular digital presentation tool. All material must be as originally posted. A summary document outlining the reach, impact and audience should be uploaded as part of the entry.

• Video – To recognize skill in creating video that stands alone or enhances other digital aspects of a newspaper’s content.  Original content published only online or on social platforms by any media organization. This should be made exclusively for digital platforms; reports made for other platforms and subsequently posted on social media do not qualify. 

• Live Sports Coverage – In-depth or narrative sports reporting - Sports coverage provided under deadline by one or more reporters relating to the same event or breaking development on the sports beat.

BROADCAST-ONLY CATEGORIES

The following categories are only part of the broadcast contest. No newspaper entries will be allowed in these categories.

• Newscast – A complete local news program - A locally originated, regularly scheduled newscast. That was broadcast on any day in 2025. Time limit: 30 minutes.

• News Series – Multiple pieces on a single subject - Coverage of a single subject, reported in multiple segments. Excerpts from multiple pieces may be submitted. Time limit: 30 minutes.

• Documentary – In-depth reporting, single or multipart - In-depth coverage of a community problem or a significant news event. Entries may be a single report or a series of reports. Time limit: 60 minutes. 

• Continuing Coverage – Ongoing coverage of a developing news story - Continuing coverage by a news department on a single developing subject. Entries should demonstrate how a station covered a story over a period of time. Time limit: 30 minutes.

• Sports Coverage – To recognize outstanding reporting on a sports topic. Entry can be a story or a series of reports on a single subject. Time limit: 15 minutes.

• Arts Reporting – A single profile, interview, trend story, review, commentary, column or feature on any arts and entertainment topic, including movies, theater, music, opera, dance, art, architecture, television and literature. Emphasis is on quality of writing. Entire series are not eligible.  Time limit: 15 minutes.

• Weathercast (TV Only) – For the best regularly scheduled weathercast. Entry can be a single weathercast or a compilation of weathercasts. Judging will be based on content, format, overall appeal to the audience, pacing, graphic presentation and comprehensiveness in the presentation. Time limit: 15 minutes.

• Use of Photography (TV Only)– For excellence in television news photography. Entries may cover a single news story or several stories. Time limit: 15 minutes.

• Use of Sound (Radio Only)– For best use of sound to tell a radio news story. Entry will be judged on technical quality, editing and contribution to the news story. Time limit: 15 minutes.

• Reporter or Anchor Portfolio – Entry should reflect a reporter or anchor’s work during the year.The entry may include samples from newscasts as well as other work broadcast on yourstation (i.e., news or live special report, reporting from a special out-of-town assignment, etc.) An individual nominee may only be submitted once. A station may nominate multiple nominees. Time Limit: 15 minutes. (For radio, this award is Art Athens General Excellence of Individual Reporting Award.)

• Video (non-broadcast) – This award celebrates video storytelling published outside of traditional TV or radio broadcasts, including digital-native pieces and documentary shorts. Entries may include explainers, short docs, social video, or field reports. Judges will consider story clarity, structure, production quality, originality, and platform fit. Time limit: 10 minutes

COLLEGE-SPECIFIC CATEGORIES

College newspaper

• Feature Story (print or digital)  – This award recognizes high achievement and dedication to the craft of writing features. This could be a human-interest profile, interview, trend story or feature on any topic. 

• Podcast – Outstanding single podcast episode on any topic, or issue. Series are not accepted. Time limit: 60 minutes

College radio

• News Story (Chris Ulanowski Award) – Coverage of a single subject, reported in a single segment. Program should provide information, understanding and/or analysis about a topic of significant interest. Time limit: 10 minutes.

• Local News Program (Bill Leaf Award) – One complete news program (or excerpt from a single program if longer than the allowed time limit). Excerpts from several programs will not be accepted. Entry should illustrate scope of coverage and reflect initiative and quality of performance of reporters and editors. Time limit: 15 minutes. 

College television

• News Story – Coverage of a single subject, reported in a single segment. Program should provide information, understanding and/or analysis about a topic of significant interest. Entry may be edited for length. Time limit: 10 minutes.

• Regularly Scheduled News Program – One complete news program (or excerpt from a single program if longer than the allowed time limit).  Excerpts from several programs will not be accepted. Entries should illustrate scope of coverage and reflect initiative and quality of performance of reporters and editors. Time Limit: 30 minutes. 

SPECIAL AWARDS

JANY's Executive Board judges the following special awards. There are no entry fees for these categories.

Special award entries are submitted by email rather than through the contest platform. Review the award descriptions below for eligibility requirements and submission instructions.

• Lifetime Achievement Award – JANY's highest honor, presented to a New York journalist whose career has made a significant and lasting impact on journalism in the state.

• Michael Hendricks Journalist of the Year – Honors an outstanding journalist at a New York daily newspaper. Entries must include a résumé, a nomination letter from a newsroom leader, and five work samples.

• Bruce Cromie Photo Award – Recognizes the most outstanding photo selected from the first-place winners in the Best Spot News Photo, Best Feature Photo, and Best Sports Photo categories.

• Art Athens General Excellence in Reporting (Radio) – Recognizes outstanding work by a radio reporter or anchor, showcasing excellence over the course of the year.

• Newspaper of Distinction – Honors overall excellence in print and digital journalism, recognizing outstanding reporting, editing, visual presentation, and digital publishing.

• The Newcomer Award(new for 2026) – Recognizes an emerging journalist in the first three years of their career who demonstrates exceptional dedication, talent, and promise in print, broadcast, or digital journalism.

For questions about the submission platform or your login credentials, contact the contest coordinator, Christine Paige Diers at cpaigediers@gmail.com or journalists.association.ny@gmail.com.

Do not use the “Contact Us” link on the BetterBNC website—it does not reach JANY.