Press Gazette has launched a new set of awards in recognition of the growing importance of journalism covering environmental issues.
The Environmental Journalism Awards 2008 will celebrate the work of journalists reporting on the complex issues of climate change and the other threats to the planet.
The BBC‘s Justin Rowlatt, formerly Newsnight’s ‘ethical man”, and Ben Stewart, the communications director of Greenpeace, will be on a panel of judges that includes campaigners, activists and journalists.
Launched in association with car-maker Peugeot, there are three main categories:
The environmental journalist of the year award for the journalist with demonstrable ability to predict trends, analyse stories and explain issues to a general audience. This award will decide who has the best insight into the complex field with a compelling style in news reporting, colour writing and analysis. Entry should comprise three examples of work submitted electronically.
For story of the year, the judges will be looking for the exclusive story, an exposé or investigation that provided a powerful new angle, challenged established thinking on a subject or contributed to public understanding and awareness to set the agenda. Entry should be again submitted electronically.
The campaign of the year will be awarded in recognition of the piece of work or a series of pieces that have brought about change on an environmental issue. Judges will be looking at the impact of the campaign, for a clear sense of purpose and direction and a demonstrative effect, as well as commitment and investment in the project. A series of excerpts from the campaign and supporting materials should all be sent in electronically.
A judges’ special award will also be given to the environmental news broadcaster, publication or website of the year that has made the most significant contribution to the field of environmental journalism. Entries should be sent in electronically and be accompanied by a supporting statement of no more than 500 words and supporting material such as PDF cuttings, weblinks and video clips.
There will be a £1,000 prize for the journalist of the year whose work will have been deemed by the judges to have made an exceptional contribution to understanding of environmental issues.
The awards are open to all journalists, publications, channels, broadcasters and websites for their work covering environmental issues. Reporters and writers working for news agencies and photographers working for agencies are also eligible, as are freelance journalists.
To qualify, all entries must have been published between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008. Send them to apont@wilmington.co.uk by 15 September. There are no entry fees. The awards will be presented at a lunch in London on 19 November 2008.
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