MFA Categories 2024

Excellence in campaigning and investigative journalism was honoured at the Society’s prestigious Media Freedom Awards on Tuesday 12 November 2024. 

Held at the iconic Globe Theatre in London and attended by the Media Minister Stephanie Peacock MP, the high-profile awards brought together more than 300 journalists and news leaders from all sectors for a celebration of the UK news industry.  

Below is a list of categories that were open for entry earlier this year. 

Investigation of the Year – National
An investigation by a national individual or team that lifted the lid and brought to light the investigative news story no other news organisation discovered. Judges will take into account the investigative process and how it contributed to holding power to account and/or exposing wrongdoing and championing the rights of others. Entries where platforms or individuals collaborated will be accepted as will entries from producers.

Investigation of the Year – Regional
An investigation by a regional individual or team that lifted the lid and brought to light the investigative news story no other news organisation discovered. Judges will take into account the investigative process and how it contributed to holding power to account and/or exposing wrongdoing and championing the rights of others.  Entries where platforms or individuals collaborated will be accepted as will entries from producers.

Investigation of the Year – Broadcast – National
A broadcast investigation by a national individual or team that lifted the lid and brought to light the investigative news story no other news organisation discovered. Judges will take into account the investigative process and how it contributed to holding power to account and/or exposing wrongdoing and championing the rights of others.  Entries where broadcast platforms or individuals collaborated will be accepted as will entries from independent production companies as well as radio.

Investigation of the Year – Broadcast – Regional
A broadcast investigation by a regional individual or team that lifted the lid and brought to light the investigative news story no other news organisation discovered. Judges will take into account the investigative process and how it contributed to holding power to account and/or exposing wrongdoing and championing the rights of others.  Entries where broadcast platforms or individuals collaborated will be accepted as will entries from independent production companies as well as radio.

Commentator of the Year – Broadsheet
A columnist, commentator or opinion writer working for a “broadsheet” platform who is a must-read, someone with a unique voice and the ability to provoke debate. They may annoy as much as delight. Entries are open to those working in TV, radio, podcasts or in newspapers in print or digital news.

Commentator of the Year – Popular
A columnist, commentator or opinion writer working for a “popular” or “tabloid” platform who is a must-read, someone with a unique voice and the ability to provoke debate. They may annoy as much as delight. Entries are open to those working in TV, radio, podcasts or in newspapers in print or digital news.

Podcast of the Year
This award is open to podcasts that are produced regularly and have shone a light on its subject matter for audiences. Judges may also look for evidence of how the podcast may have contributed to holding power to account and/or exposing wrongdoing or championing the rights of others.

Campaign of the Year – National
The best national campaign that captured the audience’s attention and achieved tangible results. Supporting files for each entry must relate to one campaign.

Campaign of the Year – Regional
The best regional campaign that captured the audience’s attention, championed their local community or supported a local cause or initiative. Supporting files for each entry must relate to one campaign.

Journalist of the Year – Broadcast
The broadcast journalist of the year who has demonstrated excellence in their work. Entrants can submit a body of work to support their entry including a high-profile investigation or scoop.  Judges will look for evidence of holding power to account and championing the rights of others. Entries can also be submitted on behalf of producers.

Journalist of the Year – National
The national journalist of the year who has demonstrated excellence in their work. Entrants can submit a body of work to support their entry including a high-profile investigation or scoop.  Judges will look for evidence of holding power to account and championing the rights of others. Entries can also be submitted on behalf of producers.

Journalist of the Year – Regional
The regional journalist of the year who has demonstrated excellence in their work. Entrants can submit a body of work to support their entry including a high-profile investigation or scoop.  Judges will look for evidence of holding power to account and championing the rights of others. Entries can also be submitted on behalf of producers.

Young Journalist of the Year National
Open to national journalists or producers aged 30 or under on 9 August 2024. Entries can include work from any journalistic discipline including those working in video journalism or with podcasts.  The judges will look for evidence of holding power to account, exposing wrongdoing and championing the rights of others across a variety of coverage.

Young Journalist of the Year Regional
Open to regional journalists or producers aged 30 or under on 9 August 2024. Entries can include work from any journalistic discipline including those working in video journalism or with podcasts.  The judges will look for evidence of holding power to account, exposing wrongdoing and championing the rights of others across a variety of coverage.

Foreign Correspondent of the Year
For an individual who has been based in a foreign country or from where they have filed work that brings the country and its affairs to light for a UK audience. The judges will look for overall coverage and investigations, evidence of holding power to account, seeking the truth and championing the rights and freedoms of others.

Political Journalist of the Year
The winner will be the political reporter who set the agenda with the biggest stories and/ or most revelatory writing which showed evidence of holding power to account, exposing wrongdoing and championing the rights and freedoms of others.

The Bob Satchwell Award for Freedom of Speech
This special award will be decided by the judges to honour an exceptional organisation or individual who continuously champions the public’s right to know. This award cannot be entered.

Photojournalist of the Year
Judges will be looking for the photojournalist of the year whose images or video has had an impact. Judges will be looking for evidence of how the imaged have shone a light on the freedoms of others and /or by exposing wrong-doing and championing the rights of others.

Innovation Award
This award is open to both teams and individuals across all journalistic disciplines. The judges will be looking for evidence of how championing the rights of others was achieved through digital storytelling, a new editorial product or through a new print or broadcast project. Judges will consider evidence of innovation and the tangible impact the project has had.

 National News Media Organisation of the Year
The National News Media Organisation of the Year will have consistently held power to account, championed the freedoms or rights of others and demonstrated a commitment to promoting media freedom. Judges will consider overall coverage, campaigns and investigations and evidence of any tangible impact that coverage has had.

Regional News Media Organisation of the Year
The Regional News Media Organisation of the Year will have consistently held power to account, championed the freedoms or rights of communities they serve and demonstrated a commitment to promoting media freedom. Judges will consider overall coverage, campaigns and investigations and evidence of any tangible impact that coverage has had.

Broadcast News Media Organisation of the Year
The Broadcast News Media Organisation of the Year will have consistently held power to account, championed the freedoms or rights of others and demonstrated a commitment to promoting media freedom. The judges will be looking at overall coverage, campaigns and investigations and evidence of the tangible impact that coverage has had.