SPJ/LA Distinguished Journalist Awards: Changes & FAQ
This year, to ensure that the SPJ/LA Distinguished Journalist Awards hold true to our commitment to recognize outstanding journalists of all stripes across greater Los Angeles, we’re making some changes to the awards structure and nomination process.
The changes come in two key areas: the award categories and the addition of a requested donation for people submitting nominations who are not students or SPJ members.
Category Changes
We are retaining the categories for Freedom of Information and two-year student and four-year student. We are replacing the individual categories for professional journalists with up to six awards that recognize outstanding journalism of all kinds from news outlets of every size across the greater Los Angeles area.
This is the first year we’re trying a more all-encompassing approach to honoring professional journalists, and we expect to make adjustments. We welcome your feedback, which will help us make improvements to next year’s awards.
Suggested Donation
We are introducing a suggested $25 donation as part of the nomination process, which can be applied to an SPJ membership discount. (Anyone can still nominate without choosing to make a donation. For non-students and non-SPJ members, we are asking for a single, optional donation no matter how many nominations you submit.)
FAQ
With the elimination of categories for professional honorees, how will you ensure that a broad range of media types are requested?
We are committed to ensuring that this year’s group of honorees represents exemplary journalism in all of its forms and from news sources of all shapes and sizes across the greater Los Angeles region.
If I opt not to donate will it have a negative effect on my nomination(s)?
No. The suggested donation is optional. The SPJ awards committee and the SPJ board will have no information about an individual nominator’s donation status, and will not consider that status as part of award deliberations.
What are the criteria for consideration in the professional category?
The nominee should be “of” the greater Los Angeles area, meaning they should be based in the area. The body of work for which they are being nominated should have been created while living here, and focused on issues of importance to the region.
Can freelancers qualify for these awards?
Yes!
Can producers, editors and other folks who are not bylined or in front of the camera or mic qualify?
Yes!
Can “citizen journalists” qualify?
No. The professional category of the SPJ/LA Distinguished Journalist Awards is intended for professional journalists.
Where can I find a list of past honorees?
All past Distinguished Journalist and FOI honorees are listed on the SPJ/LA website.