Overview
The Prime Minister’s Award for Journalism was launched in recognition of the major role played by journalism and responsible media, as partners in the ongoing modernisation endeavours witnessed by the Kingdom of Bahrain, under His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s comprehensive development process.
The Award, held annually under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, aims to enhance the contributions of journalists, within Team Bahrain, to all fields of the kingdom’s comprehensive development.
The 10-category award allows press institutions or journalists working in Bahraini local newspapers or magazines, as well as students studying journalism and media in Bahraini colleges and universities to submit their entries to compete for one category of the award, presented according to the established criteria.
Objectives of the Award:
The Prime Minister’s Award for Journalism aims to:
1- Honour journalists and recognise their valuable contributions.
2- Foster creativity and excellence in making the Bahraini press content.
3- Stimulate competition among press institutions in delivering the best press content.
4- Encourage youth media competencies in journalism and media colleges, and pave the way for them to engage in journalistic work.
5- Diversify digital journalistic content on newspaper websites and accounts on social media.
Eligibility:
The Prime Minister’s Award for Journalism shall be granted to the following:
1- Employees of licensed press institutions in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
2- Students of media colleges and departments in Bahrain universities.
3- Media professionals nominated for the journalism personality of the year.
Categories of the Award:
1. The Best Column Award
2. The Best Investigative Journalism Award.
3. The Best Journalistic Interview Award
4. The Best Journalistic Photo Award
5. The Best Newspaper Niche Page or Supplement Award
6. The Best Press Institution’s Website or Electronic Account Award
7. The Best Visual Journalistic Content (video) Award
8. The Best Infographic Report Award
9. The Best University Student Journalism Project Award
10. The 2024 Journalism Personality Award
Criteria of the Award:
1- Entries should have been published or produced in 2023 in local newspapers, as well as journalism and media colleges and departments in Bahraini universities.
2- Each journalist or press institution is entitled to no more than two entries for each award category.
3- If more than two entries are submitted by the same journalist or institution, only the first two will be approved.
4- Journalism and media colleges and departments in Bahraini universities may submit three entries within the Best University Student Journalism Project Award category only.
5- Works that have previously won local or external journalism awards are ruled out.
6- The applicant shall bear full responsibility for their entries.
7- The award nomination form shall be filled, and the entry (original material, link or the PDF material) carrying the names of the journalist and the publication, the date of publication and the award category shall be attached.
Application Dates:
1-15 April, 2024
Criteria of each Category:
First: The Best Column Award
The columns shall meet the following requirements:
• Have a distinguished content.
• Written in a style that showcases a unique and innovative vision in analysis and expression.
• Address important current social issues.
• Meet professional, linguistic and ethical standards.
Second: The Best Investigative Journalism Award
The entries shall meet the following requirements:
• Cover the subject matter thoroughly, deal with the concerned parties with balance, and present multiple points of view.
• Be original and documented; based on accurate information, facts and reliable sources.
• Contain an in-depth analysis of the subject matter; providing a deeper understanding and distinct analysis of the issue in question.
• Include photos, videos, or illustrations that enhance the story and contribute to its understanding.
• Meet professional, linguistic and ethical standards.
Third: The Best Journalistic Interview Award
The interviews shall meet the following requirements:
• Be unique and qualitative in terms of content, publication and display
• Address an important current issue of interest to readers, focusing on public affairs, economic or social issues, or any other area related to the newspaper’s coverage area.
• Provide valuable, in-depth information and analysis of the subject matter; contribute to enhancing readers’ understanding and knowledge.
• Meet professional, linguistic and ethical standards.
Fourth: The Best Journalistic Photo Award
The photos shall meet the following requirements:
• Be owned and taken by the participating photographer or institution.
• Be original, free from added effects and have not been digitally modified or manipulated.
• Carry news value and convey their message directly.
• Be perfect in terms of lighting, focus, visual composition and quality.
• Show creativity in framing, composition, and artistic use of visual elements.
• Be consistent with the public taste; publishable on various media platforms.
Fifth: The Best Newspaper Niche Page or Supplement
The entries shall meet the following requirements:
• Include diverse journalistic content, containing various journalistic arts (reports, news, dialogues, infographics, etc.) therein.
• Innovatively designed; present a creative style in terms of organisation.
• Meet professional, linguistic and ethical standards.
• Committed to journalistic designing standards
Sixth: The Best Press Institution’s Website or Electronic Account Award
The entries shall meet the following requirements:
• Contain comprehensive, diverse coverage of various events and topics.
• Provide creative, innovative and diversified content.
• Incorporate more than one form of content (images, video, news, infographics, artificial intelligence, etc.), and other modern technical journalistic techniques and methods.
• Easy to browse; distinct in design and identity.
• Contain public taste-appropriate content; do not violate copyrights and intellectual property.
Seventh: The Best Visual Journalistic Content (video) Award
The nominated videos shall meet the following requirements:
• Contain creative content; convey an innovative media message.
• Focus on issues or fields of importance to society.
• Professionally designed, with special focus on quality of photography, lighting, editing, and sound.
• Do not exceed 180 seconds.
• Meet professional, linguistic and ethical standards.
• Adhere to copyright and intellectual property standards in content.
Eighth: The Best Infographic Report Award:
The entries shall meet the following requirements:
• Be innovative and attractive
• Highlight a local topic or issue
• Smoothly designed, easy to read, uses colours and illustrations effectively.
• Be supported by reliable sources, accurate information.
• Meet professional, linguistic and ethical standards.
Ninth: The Best University Student Journalism Project Award:
• Journalism and media colleges and departments in Bahraini universities may submit three entries within the Best University Student Journalism Project Award category.
• Participants must be students enrolled in media departments or colleges in Bahraini universities.
• Entries and participants must be nominated by the department or college, in the name of the student or group of students co-producing the same work.
• Nominated entries must be in the form of printed or electronic newspaper or magazine.
• Entries must meet professional, linguistic and ethical standards.
Tenth: The 2024 Journalism Personality Award:
The award shall be bestowed upon a Bahraini press professional in recognition of their contributions to the field of journalism, as well as for their work and roles that have enriched the journalistic scene and left clear imprints.
The Award Jury:
An arbitration committee comprising media professionals specialised in the Award’s various categories shall be formed to evaluate the nominated entries.
For inquiries and suggestions
Contact 17454945