Entries Open for 2015 Online Journalism Awards

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - May 7, 2015) - The Online News Association, the world's largest membership organization of digital journalists, today opened the call for entries for the 2015 Online Journalism Awards (OJAs), emblematic of the best in digital journalism, with 37 categories and $60,000 in prize money.

As in past years, the 2015 OJAs have been modified to keep up with the rapidly evolving media industry. New developments this year include:

• The inaugural James Foley Award for Conflict Reporting, which will honor one of the many journalists reporting under the most challenging conditions. A special committee will select the inaugural recipient, led by Phil Balboni, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Post, who worked closely with Foley, and ONA Board member and Past President Jim Brady, CEO of Spirited Media.
• Because of a significant growth in entries, "Sports" now has its own category, moved from the "Planned News/Events" and "Feature" categories.
• The new "Pro-Am" category within the Student awards will recognize outstanding work done by students in an academic environment who collaborate with or receive compensation or support from a professional media outlet.

Ten of the awards now come with $60,000 in prize money, courtesy of John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Gannett Foundation, and The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. These awards honor data journalism, visual digital storytelling, investigative journalism, public service, technical innovation and general excellence.

"The Online Journalism Awards are about more than honoring great work. They're also an opportunity to pause and study what else is being done in the industry," said Joshua Hatch, OJA Chair and Senior Editor for Data and Interactives at The Chronicle of Higher Education. "We hope everyone who looks at the quality of the journalism and the innovation in storytelling in these entries ends up returning to their newsrooms inspired and excited. That's the real power of the OJAs."

The 2015 OJAs are open to work published between June 16, 2014, and May 15, 2015. Applicants are invited to submit their work on journalists.org until Friday, May 29, 2015, at 11:59 p.m. ET after reading the Rules & Eligibility.

The finalists and winners will be selected through a two-step process. First, industry-leading journalists and new media professionals will screen the awards to determine semi-finalists. In August, a panel of judges will convene to select winners.

The OJAs are the only comprehensive set of journalism prizes honoring excellence in digital journalism around the world. Honorees will be announced on the final night of ONA15, the Online News Association Conference and Awards Banquet, Sept. 24-26, at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles.

Entries can be submitted here. View the complete list of 2014 winners at journalists.org.

About the Online News Association
The Online News Association is the world's largest association of digital journalists. ONA's mission is to inspire innovation and excellence among journalists to better serve the public. The membership includes news writers, producers, designers, editors, bloggers, developers, photographers, educators, students and others who produce news for and support digital delivery systems. ONA also hosts the annual Online News Association conference and administers the Online Journalism Awards.

About Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. The foundation believes that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more, visit knightfoundation.org.

About the Gannett Foundation
The Gannett Foundation is a corporate foundation sponsored by Gannett Co., Inc. whose mission is to invest in the future of the communities in which Gannett does business, and in the future of our industry. It supports projects that take a creative approach to fundamental issues such as education and neighborhood improvement, economic development, youth development, community problem-solving, assistance to disadvantaged people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.

About the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications
The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications is driving innovation and engagement across the disciplines of advertising, journalism, public relations and telecommunication. The strength of its programs, faculty, students and alumni -- in research and in practice -- has earned the college ongoing recognition as one of the best in the nation among its peers. The college offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees and certificates, both online and on campus. The college's strength is drawn from both academic rigor and experiential learning. The college includes seven broadcast and digital media properties and the nation's only program in public interest communications.