Technical Specifications

Young Journalist
Those eligible for this category may enter up to three pieces as part of their entry. They may enter any other category as well but they should note that only two entries are permitted per entrant per category.

Radio
A copy of the broadcast must be uploaded in .wav, .mp3 or .ai format together with a full script and an English transcript.

Television
A copy of the broadcast must be uploaded onto YouTube or Vimeo and the link provided together with a full script and an English transcript.

Print
A scan of the published version of the article must be uploaded in .pdf format. Note that this should clearly indicate the dateline and publication name as proof of publication.

Online Journalism
Entrants must provide full-page screen shots of the story in digital format, PDF files showing the full text, images and links, and copies of any of the videos used with the story. If the story is still available online, links must be provided on the VJOY website entry form.

Photography
Photograph(s) should be submitted in .pdf, .jpg or .jpeg (at least 72dpi and 1024 x 768 resolution) in the original colour or black and white in which it was shot. To indicate to the judges the relevance of the photograph(s) to a story or headline, and as proof of publication of the photograph(s), a .pdf scan of the published article (clearly showing dateline and publication name) must also be submitted.

• The maximum upload size of a file is 400MB.
• 300DPI Jpegs preferred or link (not behind firewalls)
• 10 published pictures per entry only.
• NB unpublished pictures will not qualify for judging.
• No videography can be submitted for the photography category.

There is no fee to enter the awards.

Any entry not fulfilling the criteria stated herein may be disqualified.

• Proof of publication or broadcast date must be supplied.
• All material must have been published or broadcast between 1 August 2023 and 31 July 2024.
• Entries close at midnight on Wednesday 24 July 2024. No late entries will be accepted.
• The content of entries must predominantly cover South African issues. Entries must be produced as well as published/broadcast in South Africa. Work produced by foreign correspondents for South African media organisations, who work outside the country and produce work for consumption in South Africa, may be accepted at the judges’ discretion as long as it predominantly covers South African issues.
• It is the entrant’s responsibility to ensure entries are complete, legible, audible and/or viewable.
• A maximum of TWO entries per category will be accepted from one individual.
• Applications containing more than TWO submissions will be disqualified. A body of work may be submitted as one entry but must cover only one subject.
• An entry must be submitted in only one category even if it also fulfils the criteria of another category. This means entrants must choose whether to enter a specific piece or body of work, for example, in the Politics or Investigative categories or the Sports, Feature/Lifestyle or Innovation categories.
• Those entering the Young Journalist category must enter as individuals and must have worked in any newsroom for three years or less. They must submit a portfolio of work (maximum three pieces from within the competition period) together with a strong motivation and CV. Regional winners will receive a certificate and become finalists for the national Young Journalist Award.
• The judges reserve the right to move any submission to another category should it be deemed appropriate.
• All journalists and editors wishing to submit entries must register on the Vodacom Journalist of the Year website before submitting their entry. Editors may enter work on behalf of their journalists but must clearly record the name and contact details of the journalist and/or contributing journalists or producer.
• Only contributors who participated directly in researching, developing or producing the content of an entry, as shown in the piece's by‐line/credits, will be considered eligible entrants of a team entry. The name and contact details of each contributor must then accompany the submission in the credits section of the registration process. Multiple contributors to a winning entry will share any prize equally, whether at regional or national level. This does not apply to the Young Journalist category where entrants must enter in their individual capacities.
• All submissions must be entered in the Vodacom region where you are employed or, if a freelancer, where your personal office is. This may not be in the region where you carried out the reporting: for example, a Johannesburg-based journalist sent to the Free State on assignment should enter the resulting coverage in Gauteng .
• An entry may not be submitted in more than one region (view regional map) so if a piece has multiple contributors, it cannot be submitted for Gauteng and the Western Cape, for example. Multiple contributors must all enter in the same region, based on the office location of the majority.
• Entrants must accompany each entry with background information and a motivation to the judges as to why they believe the submitted material deserves to win the category entered. Include, for example, a description of circumstances and challenges affecting the story's development such as volume of research and/or investigation, time, safety and/or financial constraints, as well as an account of any impact the story might have had.
• Every entry in each category is eligible for the Regional Awards, provided it complies with all requirements in this list of criteria.
• Competition T's & C's

All Regional Award winners as well as the Young Journalist category nominees will automatically become finalists for the National Award in that category. National Award Winners except Young Journalist category will automatically become finalists for the overall Journalist of the Year Award.