WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - May 21, 2014) - The Online News Association, the world's largest membership organization of digital journalists, today opened the call for entries for the 2014 Online Journalism Awards (OJAs), emblematic of the best in digital journalism, featuring $15,000 for two new awards for excellence in data journalism.
Ten of the awards now come with a total of $52,500 in prize money, courtesy of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Gannett Foundation, and the University of Florida. These awards honor data journalism, visual digital storytelling, investigative journalism, public service, technical innovation and general excellence.
"This year's awards are easier than ever to enter, and feature new categories highlighting the critical and innovative work being done in digital journalism," said Joshua Hatch, OJA Chair and Senior Editor for Data and Interactives at The Chronicle of Higher Education. "We're excited to see what our colleagues from around the world will be putting forward."
As in past years, the 2014 OJAs have been modified to keep up with the rapidly evolving media industry. Here are details on new developments this year:
The University of Florida Award for Investigative Data Journalism: Made possible by the estate of Lorraine Dingman, this award will honor high-impact data journalism that is exceptionally well presented. There are two size categories -- Small/Medium and Large -- each with a $7,500 prize.
Excellence and Innovation in Visual Digital Storytelling Award: News organizations are mixing video, photography, graphics and web technologies to produce entirely new and creative visual stories. This award is designed to honor work in three size categories that takes visual storytelling to a new level.
The Al Neuharth Innovation in Investigative Journalism Award: Supported by the Gannett Foundation, this award will honor work that uncovers major news based on independent investigations and presents that work online through clear, impactful and digitally savvy means. The category is split into three size categories, each with a $4,000 prize.
The Gannett Foundation Award for Technical Innovation in the Service of Digital Journalism, now in its fifth year, offers an increased prize of $5,500.
These honors join the $5,000 Knight Award for Public Service, which highlights notable service to community.
All award categories have been revised to emphasize the impact of mobile on our industry, and size eligibility for all categories as been reviewed and updated to further simplify the entry process.
The 2014 OJAs are open to work published between June 16, 2013, and June 15, 2014. Applicants are invited to submit their work on journalists.org until Friday, June 13, 2014, at 11:59 p.m. ET in one of the 33 categories after reading the Rules & Eligibility.
The finalists and the winners will be selected through a two-step process. First, industry-leading journalists and new media professionals will screen the awards to determine semi-finalists. In August, 10 judges will convene to select winners.
The OJAs are the only comprehensive set of journalism prizes honoring excellence in digital journalism around the world. Honorees will be announced on the final night of ONA14, the Online News Association Conference and Awards Banquet, Sept. 25-27, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers in Chicago.
Entries can be submitted here. The deadline for entries is June 13. View the complete list of 2013 winners at journalists.org.
About the Online News Association
The Online News Association is the world's largest association of digital journalists. ONA's mission is to inspire innovation and excellence among journalists to better serve the public. The membership includes news writers, producers, designers, editors, bloggers, developers, photographers, educators, students and others who produce news for and support digital delivery systems. ONA also hosts the annual Online News Association conference and administers the Online Journalism Awards.
About Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. The foundation believes that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more, visit knightfoundation.org
About the Gannett Foundation
The Gannett Foundation is a corporate foundation sponsored by Gannett Co., Inc. whose mission is to invest in the future of the communities in which Gannett does business, and in the future of our industry. It supports projects that take a creative approach to fundamental issues such as education and neighborhood improvement, economic development, youth development, community problem-solving, assistance to disadvantaged people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.
About the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications
The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications is driving innovation and engagement across the disciplines of advertising, journalism, public relations and telecommunication. The strength of its programs, faculty, students and alumni -- in research and in practice -- has earned the college ongoing recognition as one of the best in the nation among its peers. The college offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees and certificates, both online and on campus. The college's strength is drawn from both academic rigor and experiential learning. CJC students have the opportunity to gain practical experience in the Innovation News Center, which generates content across multiple platforms, and a strategic communication agency that will begin operation in Fall 2014. The college includes seven broadcast and digital media properties and the nation's only program in public interest communications.
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Online News Association