I would like to be considered for the judging process/adjudication, what process do I follow to be considered?

The judging panel for this year’s awards has already been selected. Judges are appointed on a needs basis. When there is a need to do so, we will announce this to give suitable candidates an opportunity to be considered.

What if I am based in one region but go to another to report a story, in which region do I enter?

You need to enter from the region you are based, where you report day to day.

What if I co-wrote/co-produced the piece of work?

We believe in honouring everyone involved in the production process, especially when it comes to broadcast pieces, where we try to also honour the camera persons and editors.

In the case where a piece was co-produced, one person can enter, but should acknowledge the people who collaborated on the piece. Should you win, you share the prize money with all parties involved in-writing or producing the piece. This is applicable to both regional and national finals.

I am a freelance writer/photographer, and my work was used by a non-media house, can I enter?

No. If any of this body of work was used by a media house – an article or a photograph – you can enter that with proof of date published

How is photography judged under the one category, especially in relation to controlled settings versus action shots (like sport)?

Here are a few primary considerations given to the winning photograph:

  • The photograph must have news value
  • Is this photo unique?
  • Does it portray a story without the need for a description or caption?
  • It must be technically well structured
  • Entries must be of photographs of integrity (no photoshop or obscuring)

All entries such as stand alone, features, essays hard news or sport are considered under one category.

Due to editorial space, my article/photograph was cut/cropped, can I submit the full piece even though not published that way?

With regards to photographs, you can enter both your original and the published version.

In the case of articles, you can only enter what was published. You are welcome to enter an online version, where editing is less severe.

Should the awards not open up more photography categories?

We have limited budget and have tried to accommodate as many categories as possible. For now, we have only one photographic category, but this might change if we are able to access more budget.

We are constantly reviewing our categories and over the years, categories have changed to better incorporate the media landscape as it evolves.

How do I prove when my piece was published?

When submitting online, you must upload a scan or / photo of the page where the piece was printed which clearly shows the dateline and publication name. If broadcast or online, you need to provide proof of when and where it was aired or published.

I used to work for one media house but moved to another, am I still allowed to enter work from my previous position, during the competition time frame?

Yes, you may and must.

Please ensure you enter under the name of the media house where your work featured.

I tried to enter before the deadline but the system crashed/I had technical issues, will you allow me to still enter?

Sadly, if your entry is not in by midnight, no exceptions will be made.

We have to be consistent and fair to those who entered on time.

Often journalists do enter on the last day and for that reason, the website can crash.

Please try to submit your entry with enough time to allow you to manage technical issues mentioned above.

What are you looking for under the ‘Innovation in Journalism’ category?

Answered by Arthur Goldstuck

Over the past decade, categories related to technology platforms have evolved substantially in the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards. From the advent of an Online Journalism category in the previous decade and the introduction of Social Media Journalism in 2011 to the arrival of Data Journalism and Multi-platform categories in 2018, the awards have constantly embraced change in the evolving media landscape.

Today, with most journalism having a digital or interactive component, and with data analysis and multi-platform use becoming essential rather than specialised areas, such recognition has continued evolving.

Now, the Innovation in Journalism category embraces digital, social, analytics, cross platform use, and any new forms, channels and techniques of reporting that show ingenuity in journalism.

The judges will look for cutting edge use of digital methods and media, which use both existing and emerging tools in the telling or breaking of a story. In particular, it will aim at rewarding stories that help redefine how we produce and disseminate journalism.

Can I nominate someone for the ‘Lifetime Achiever’ category? And how?

Unfortunately, we do not accept nominations for the Lifetime Achiever award. This award is entirely at the discretion of the judges.

My work is hidden by a paywall, how do I overcome this for my entry?

Please supply the link to the page it appears, even though there is a paywall.

In addition, please PDF the full piece and attach with your entry.

How long does my motivation need to be, is there a word count?

There is no restriction on the length of your motivation, but it must be reasonable in length.

My motivation and my submission are seen as two entries and won’t let me enter more pieces, please advise.

Thanks for alerting us, our support team will combine for you – please share the entries electronically with us to amend on the system.

When do regional/national winners receive their prize/money?

All regional and national winners receive their prize money soon after the national awards have taken place at the end of November.

With Covid-19, the 2020 Young Journalist winner has not been able to redeem his/her prize – what now?

We have been monitoring the situation and, this year, we sent the winners of the Young Journalist awards for the past three years together on the same course. Hopefully, things will now begin to normalise post the pandemic

What if two media houses win one category, do we each get the prize money?

In the case of joint awards, the winning journalists share the total prize money.

Similarly, if the winning work is co-written/co-produced and the award is shared with another media house, the prize money is shared among all involved.

Are interns allowed to enter the competition?

Yes, you are permitted to enter if your piece was flighted on OFM or appeared on OFM’s website, where you are interning. Perhaps you may want to consider entering the Young Journalist of the Year category if you have three years or less experience in journalism. Your producers/editors could help you with the motivation.

I am a South African journalist but work abroad – can I enter?

You are able to enter provided that your entries are available via a South African media channel/house.

You will need to enter the piece under the region in which you reside. In this case if the headquarters are in Gauteng, use that region. If in Cape Town, then Cape Town.

What are the regions of entry?

Region A:   Gauteng
Region B:   Free State, Northern Cape, Northwest and Limpopo
Region C:   KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga
Region D:   Eastern Cape
Region E:   Western Cape