Award categories
For each category there will be two awards:
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STUDENT - to enter the student category, you must submit work that was produced during an NCTJ-accredited course (for coursework or published/broadcast work); and
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TRAINEE - to enter the trainee category, you must have less than two years' employment and be registered for the NCE or have recently taken it.
All work must have been produced during the period 1 September 2011 to 31 August 2012. Entries will be judged on the original work and not for technical ability in terms of layout and design or video/audio editing and/or production techniques, unless otherwise stated.
This award will go to the student/trainee journalist who has demonstrated all-round qualities in news gathering and reporting. The judges will consider a number of elements including the work that went into getting the story, the number of sources used and reader/audience interest in the news.
Entrants should submit three reports (in print, broadcast and/or online format) to illustrate their qualities as a journalist, plus a supporting statement explaining the significance of each report (no more than 200 words in total for all three stories).
In choosing the winners, the judges will consider:
- Style of writing/delivery
- Story construction and structure
- Good use of quotes / clips
- Human interest potential
- Public service / audience value
- Evidence of in-depth interview techniques
- The range and variety of stories submitted.
This award will go to the student/trainee sports journalist who can demonstrate an all-round knowledge of sports journalism. We are not looking for an enthusiastic fan with a laptop. The prize will go to the entrant who has delivered more than a standard after-match analysis from the team manager and who has shown a willingness to ask revealing questions.
Entrants should submit three reports (in print, broadcast and/or online), along with a supporting statement explaining the significance of each report (no more than 200 words in total for all three reports). Ideally, one should be a backgrounder, feature or profile piece.
The judges will consider a number of elements including the work that went into getting the story, the number of sources used and reader/audience interest in the copy.
In choosing the winners, the judges will consider:
- Style of writing / delivery
- Story construction and structure
- Good use of clips/quotes
- Human interest potential
- Due scepticism and/or public service value
- Evidence of in-depth interview techniques
- The range and variety of stories submitted.
This award will go to the single story (in print, broadcast and/or online) or image (still or moving) produced by a student/trainee journalist which, in the opinion of the judges, is the scoop of the year. Entrants should submit their chosen story/image/video plus a supporting statement explaining the work that went into landing the scoop and details of its significance (no more than 200 words).
Judges will consider a range of elements, including:
· Audience interest in the story or image
· Evidence of how the scoop was obtained
· Content
· Style of writing / delivery
· Human interest potential.
· Public service value.
This category will identify the best student/trainee feature writer. Judges will be looking for a feature or news backgrounder (not an over-written news story) that gets to the heart of an issue and is well written. Entrants should submit two features (written or broadcast) and a supporting statement of no more than 200 words explaining the significance of both.
Judges will consider a range of elements, including:
- Style of writing / delivery
- Construction and structure
- Human interest potential
- Public service / audience value
- Originality
- Content
- Evidence of research and in-depth interview techniques.
We are looking for a portfolio of still images or film which, in the opinion of the judges, reflect a broad range of news coverage and demonstrate all-round skills. Entrants should submit photographic or film coverage of three stories/subjects which must have been published or broadcast. Original and digital images should be sent, together with captions and a supporting statement detailing how they appeared online or in print. The significance of each image should be outlined in the statement, which should total no more than 200 words.
Judges will consider a range of elements, including:
- Content and story-telling potential
- Composition
- Editing and production values
- Impact
- Captions.
There will be two separate awards for the best-performing NCTJ journalists taking exams in the 2011/12 academic year. These are:
- NCTJ Student Journalist of the Year
Awarded to the best-performing NCTJ student, based on preliminary exam results and portfolio.
- NCTJ Reporter of the Year
Awarded to the best-performing reporter in the National Certificate Examination.
For each category, a panel of judges will draw up a shortlist and their names will be posted on the Shortlist & winners page on Friday, 12 October 2012.
- Related
- How to enter
