Entries for next year’s awards will be open in September 2020. Click here if you would like to register your email to receive notification when entries are open.
News (written word)
A written word news report on a current and/or breaking story relating to a human rights issue. This can be print, online or multimedia.
News (broadcast – TV or online film)
A film news report on a current and/or breaking story relating to a human rights issue. This can be TV or online. The entry should be no longer than 20 minutes.
Investigation
An outstanding piece of investigative journalism relating to human rights issues across all media. This can be print, broadcast, online or multimedia and may be a single report or a number of items covering the same story.
Features
A written word newspaper, magazine, online or multimedia piece that creatively explores topics, issues or stories relating to human rights.
Documentaries (TV & Film)
A full-length documentary or film that observes or reports on human rights issues. The entry should be between 20 – 120 minutes duration. These must have been broadcast or available online.
Radio & Podcasts
This can be either excerpts from a series, a full-length radio documentary or podcast, a news report or compilations from a magazine programme which observe and report on human rights issues. The whole entry (including compilations) should be between 15 and 60 minutes duration. These must have been broadcast or available online.
Photojournalism
An excellent piece of photojournalism that has been published in UK media (newspapers, magazines or online) or on a third-party website. A photograph or a series of up to 12 photographs to be submitted as a portfolio, plus how it was originally published. This category is free to enter.
Student Journalist
For students in full-time education at a UK university, higher education or further education college at the time of publication or broadcast of their entry. Entries may have been published in print, online or broadcast, either via a student or commercial outlet. Alternatively, it may have been produced as course work as part of media or journalism studies. Entrants should submit one piece but may also provide links to three further pieces of work to support their entry. Personal blog posts are not eligible for entry. Finalists will be asked for evidence that they were a student at the time of publication (eg: via a reference from a tutor). This category is free to enter.
Regional Media
This category recognises excellent local reporting of global human rights stories as well as those from closer to home. It is open to print, online or broadcast entries from UK regional media outlets. This category is free to enter.
Digital Innovation
For innovative presentations of human rights stories using digital tools and/or multimedia techniques to creatively engage people in a human rights story or issue. Entrants must have been published for the first time or have had substantial fresh content published during 2019. Click here for previous entries, for reference.
The Gaby Rado Award for New Journalist
For journalists reporting on human rights issues who have been working for five years or less in paid employment as a journalist. This award was established with the help of the family, friends and colleagues of the journalist Gaby Rado, who died in Iraq in 2003. Entrants should submit one piece but may also provide links to three further pieces of work to support their entry. Finalists will be asked for evidence of their eligibility. This category is free to enter.
Outstanding Impact Award
This is the judges’ choice category, chosen across all entries. The winner will have demonstrated impact in addressing human rights issues and shown commitment and excellence in reporting.