Entries are now open for the Society of Editors prestigious Media Freedom Awards 2023 with all categories remaining free to enter.

The high-profile awards, which celebrate excellence in public interest and campaigning journalism, include 21 new and returning categories and are open to journalists and news organisations working across all platforms including national and regional print media, broadcast, digital and magazine journalism.

The awards, now in their second year, will culminate with a ceremony at the iconic Banking Hall in London on 8 November 2023. New categories introduced this year include the Innovation Award recognising excellence in innovation across digital storytelling and/or broadcast or print products as well as the Regional News Media Organisation of the Year, Young Journalist of the Year and Broadcast Investigations of the Year across both national and regional broadcast teams.  

A full list of categories and guidance for entry can be found here. 

Announcing the return of the awards, Dawn Alford, Executive Director of the Society of Editors said: “Following the undisputed success of last year’s inaugural Media Freedom Awards, we have no doubt that the awards will, once again, prove to be a key highlight of the news media industry calendar for 2023.

“In planning this year’s awards, the Society recognises that budgets remain stretched so, in accordance with last year, the awards will remain entirely free to enter. Cost of entry should be no barrier to recognising and celebrating the exceptional standard of journalism in the UK and beyond and the courage, bravery, and dedication of journalists that report, day-in-day-out on behalf of the public. We will also endeavour to ensure that costs for the event in November are kept at an absolute minimum to ensure that nobody is priced out of attendance.

“We encourage all platforms and journalists who are proud of their work to submit entries for consideration to these prestigious awards and we look forward to celebrating the breadth and diversity of voices from the UK and beyond, later this year.”

The Media Freedom Awards will recognise UK individuals, teams and media organisations who have demonstrated determination, resilience and resolve in fulfilling their vital role in championing the public’s right to know. 

All entries can be made online via the Media Freedom Awards entry page. To find out more about the awards or to enquire about sponsorship opportunities please email office@societyofeditors.org 

A highlights video from the 2022 Media Freedom Awards appears below and a full list of winners can be found here.