Deadline Club Awards Contest Categories
Updated for the 2025 Awards.
The Daniel Pearl Award for Investigative Reporting
In-depth coverage of an important topic whose probing had or could have significant public impact. Entries may be a single article or a series of no more than five articles on a single subject, and may include sidebars. Open to all newspapers, wire services and non-magazine digital media outlets, i.e. not open to general-circulation magazines, magazine sections of newspapers and Sunday supplements.
Newspaper or Digital Beat Reporting
Coverage by a single reporter or team of reporters on a single subject within an area that they regularly cover for the news organization. Entries may be a single article or a series of no more than three articles. Open to all newspapers, wire services and non-magazine digital media outlets, i.e. not open to general-circulation magazines, magazine sections of newspapers and Sunday supplements.
Newspaper or Digital Feature Reporting
Trend, profile, human-interest or any other type of feature that is not a breaking, hard-news story. Entries must be a single article, but may include sidebars. Open to all newspapers, wire services and non-magazine digital media outlets, i.e. not open to general-circulation magazines, magazine sections of newspapers and Sunday supplements.
Newspaper or Digital Breaking News Reporting
Deadline reporting of a single event. Entries must have been published no later than the 24 hours following the event or appeared in the issue that directly followed the event. Entries must be a single article but may include sidebars. Open to all newspapers, wire services and non-magazine digital media outlets, i.e. not open to general-circulation magazines, magazine sections of newspapers and Sunday supplements.
Newspaper or Digital Enterprise Reporting
A non-investigative news story that explains a news event or important issue, or places it in context. Entries must be a single article, but may include sidebars. Open to all newspapers, wire services and non-magazine digital media outlets, i.e. not open to general-circulation magazines, magazine sections of newspapers and Sunday supplements.
Newspaper or Digital Local News Reporting
Coverage of the New York City area on any particular subject. Entries may include a single article or a series of up to three related articles, and may include sidebars. Open to all newspapers, wire services and non-magazine digital media outlets, i.e. not open to general-circulation magazines, magazine sections of newspapers and Sunday supplements.
Reporting by Newspapers with a Circulation under 100,000
Breaking news, series, investigative or feature stories. Entries may be a single article or a series of up to three related articles, and may include sidebars. Open to all newspapers with a circulation under 100,000 in the New York metro area.
Reporting by Independent Digital Media
Reporting for a digital media outlet that is unaffiliated with a print or broadcast media company. Entries may be a single article or a series of up to three related articles, and may include sidebars.
Magazine Personal Service
News or information that is intended for practical use, such as helping readers improve their health, finances, career or relationships. Entries must be a single article, but may include sidebars. Open to all magazines with general circulations, magazine sections of newspapers, Sunday supplements and any digital media affiliated with these publications.
Magazine Profile
An in-depth profile of an individual who may either be well known—such as a celebrity, politician or athlete—or unknown to general readers. Entries must be a single article, but may include sidebars. Open to all magazines with general circulations, magazine sections of newspapers, Sunday supplements and any digital media affiliated with these publications.
Magazine Investigative Reporting
In-depth coverage of a topic in a single article or related articles in the same issue. Entries may include no more than three articles on a single subject, and may include sidebars. Open to all magazines with general circulations, magazine sections of newspapers, Sunday supplements and any digital media affiliated with these publications.
Magazine Feature Reporting
Trend or human-interest story, or an article providing analysis of current events. Entries must be a single article, but may include sidebars. Open to all magazines with general circulations, magazine sections of newspapers, Sunday supplements and any digital media affiliated with these publications.
Arts Reporting
Coverage of theater, dance, literature, film, music or visual art. Entries may be trend stories, profiles, reviews, criticism or investigation. Entries may be a single article or up to three related articles and may include sidebars. Open to all written media, whether distributed in print or through digital media outlets.
Business Feature
Trend, profile, human-interest or any other type of feature that is not a breaking, hard-news story. Entries may be a single article, and may include sidebars. Open to all written media, whether distributed in print or through digital media outlets.
Business Investigative Reporting
Investigative reporting of any business news or issue in either a single story or a series. Entries may be a single article, or a series of up to three related articles, and may include sidebars. Open to all written media, whether distributed in print or through digital media outlets.
Opinion Writing
Editorial, regular column or guest column on any topic. Entries may be a single article or up to three articles. Open to all written media, whether distributed in print or through digital media outlets.
Science, Technology, Medical or Environmental Reporting
Breaking news, feature, analysis or investigation about scientific discovery, application or situation. Entries may be a single article or up to three related articles and may include sidebars. Open to all written media, whether distributed in print or through digital media outlets.
Sports Reporting
Coverage of an event, feature, profile or business story related to organized sports. Entries may be a single article or up to three related articles, and may include sidebars. Open to all written media, whether distributed in print or through digital media outlets.
Breaking News Photo
Photo of a breaking news story, either scheduled or unscheduled. One to three related photos per entry. Open to photos distributed through all media outlets.
Feature Photo
Photo that does not involve a breaking news story. One to three related photos per entry. If it is part of a photo essay or story, only the photos will be judged. Open to photos distributed through all media outlets.
Sports Photo
Photo of athletes or sports event. One to three related photos per entry. Open to photos distributed through all media outlets.
Multimedia, Interactive Graphics and Animation
A cohesive package of words, photographs, graphics, audio, and/or video that enhances understanding of a single subject in a digital publication or in the digital version of a print or broadcast media outlet.
Digital Innovation
Digital innovation in the course of reporting or presenting a news trend or investigative story, or covering a particular news topic or event. Entries may involve development or use of digital tools such as interactive, data storytelling or mobile applications that significantly enhance the journalism.
Radio or Audio Breaking News Reporting
Coverage of an event as it is unfolding, with initial reports broadcast within 24 hours of the event. Entries may be a single story or compilation of coverage of a single event. Complete entries may be up to 20 minutes long, and may be edited to length. Open to radio and satellite networks, local radio stations and digital media, including streaming audio and podcasts.
Radio or Audio Feature Reporting
Coverage of a cultural, human-interest, or lifestyle topic. Entries may be a single feature or series of up to three parts. Complete entries may be up to 30 minutes long, and may be edited to length. Open to radio and satellite networks, local radio stations and digital media, including streaming audio and podcasts.
Radio or Audio Investigative Reporting
Probing, in-depth investigative coverage on a single topic. Entries may be a single feature or series of up to three parts. Complete entries may be up to 30 minutes long, and may be edited to length. Open to radio and satellite networks, local radio stations and digital media, including streaming audio and podcasts.
Digital Video Reporting
A breaking news, feature or investigative report created for original audiovisual presentation on the Internet or a mobile device, such as a tablet or smartphone. Entries must be no more than ten minutes long, and may be edited to length. Open to all audiovisual media produced originally for digital distribution.
Local Television Breaking News Reporting
Coverage of an event as it is unfolding, with initial reports broadcast within 24 hours of the event. Can include up to five follow-up reports. Complete entries may be up to 20 minutes long, and may be edited to length. Open only to local New York metro area (as defined in our overall contest rules) TV stations and cable outlets, as well as their digital operations.
Local Television Feature
Trend stories, profiles, humor, human-interest stories or any other type of feature. Entries may be a single broadcast up to 20 minutes long, and may be edited to length. Open only to local New York metro area (as defined in our overall contest rules) TV stations and cable outlets, as well as their digital operations.
Local TV Series or Investigative Reporting
A series or investigative report on any topic. Entries may be a single broadcast or a series of up to three parts. Complete entries may be up to 45 minutes long, and may be edited to length. Open only to local New York metro area (as defined in our overall contest rules) TV stations and cable outlets, as well as their digital operations.
National TV Breaking News Reporting
Coverage of an event as it is unfolding, with initial reports broadcast within 24 hours of the event. Can include up to five follow-up reports. Complete entries may be up to 20 minutes long, and may be edited to length. Open to national television or cable networks and news programs in syndication, as well as their digital operations.
National TV Feature
Trend stories, profiles, humor, human-interest stories or any other type of feature. Entries may be a single broadcast up to 20 minutes long, and may be edited to length. Open to national television or cable networks and news programs in syndication, as well as their digital operations.
National TV Series or Investigative Reporting
A series or investigative report on any topic. Entries may be a single broadcast or a series of up to three parts. Complete entries may be up to 45 minutes long, and may be edited to length. Open to national television or cable networks and news programs in syndication, as well as their digital operations.
The Mosaic Award
Coverage elevating voices and experiences relating to disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, social justice, equity and inclusion. Entries may be a single article or broadcast, or a series of no more than five related parts, including editorials, commentary and sidebars. Open to all media.
The Les Payne Award for Coverage on Communities of Color
Intended to elevate voices that focus on communities of color, this category includes coverage from ethnic, community and mainstream press focusing on topics and issues that are specifically relevant to these communities. Entries may be a single article or broadcast, or a series of no more than five related parts, including editorials, commentary and sidebars. Open to all media.
Public Service Award
Given to a news organization that renders a public service to the communities it serves through extensive coverage of controversial issues facing those communities. Entries may be a single story or a series of no more than five related stories, and may include editorials or commentary. Open to all media.
Press Pass NYC / Deadline Club High School Administrator of the Year Award
Press Pass NYC and the Deadline Club’s High School Administrator of the Year Award program annually honors high school administrators who have demonstrated consistent support and dedication to journalism education and appreciation of student press rights. More information and a separate application can be found here.