For excellence in arts and culture coverage. Arts reviews, previews, criticisms, short-form multimedia, commentaries, personal essays, arts news, features and profiles are all accepted in this category. Topics can include movies, music, television, books, dance, visual arts, food, fashion and others of relevance to the community of the newspaper. Is the story related to arts and culture?  Is the story’s subject matter original, significant and timely? Does the story demonstrate research, resourcefulness, creativity, enterprise and persistence?  Was the work fair to people portrayed in and impacted by the story?  Does the work reflect the community by including diverse voices and perspectives? Is the story well told, compelling and properly explained? Is the topic accessible to both a specialized and general audience?

For excellence in breaking news reporting. Continued coverage, developing stories and scoops are included. Submissions must be relevant to the community of the newspaper.  How quickly was the story able to be published? Does the story get everything across succinctly and effectively? Is the information important and relevant to the paper's readership? Is the information brand new? Has it been previously reported by other outlets?

For excellence in community service reporting. This award is only open to CUP member publications. News, features, newsletters, multimedia, columns and other stories. Singular stories, subsections, beat reporting, and more will be considered. One story per reporting project will be considered. Publications can submit a maximum of two entries for this award. Submissions must include a 500-word supporting letter outlining how reporting impacted a newspaper’s community, including whether change was made and what purpose the reporting served. Applicants are encouraged to use their submission letter to discuss the greater project if they wish.  Is the submission’s subject matter original, significant and timely? Does the submission have a political, social or cultural impact on the community? How important was research, resourcefulness and persistence in the submission?  Was the work fair to people portrayed in and impacted by the story?  Does the work reflect the community by including a range of diverse and varied voices, perspectives, statistics and more in the coverage?

For excellence in cover design. Both newspapers and magazines will be considered for this award. The award judges the visual aspects and cultural significance of the cover to tell a story, not the coverage itself.   Does the cover design make for a strong visual image that conveys the intended message? Are colour, the copy and typefaces used effectively to make important information stand out? Is there clear effort put into the cover design? What went into its production? Does the cover prepare the reader for what is inside the newspaper?  Is there a clear relationship between the cover and the issue?

For excellence in designing layout. Both newspapers and magazines will be considered for this award. This award judges the visuals and layout and how coverage is communicated by the layout, not the coverage itself. There is a maximum of one submission per medium per publication (i.e. one submission for newspaper, one submission for magazine).  Does the layout design make for a strong visual image that conveys the intended message? Are colour, the copy and typefaces used effectively to make important information stand out? Are the main story and photo(s) featured prominently?  Is the layout representative of the writing? Is it fair, trauma-informed, etc. Are all photos/artwork cropped and sized properly? Is there a clear relationship between the story and images on the page?

For excellence in web design. Interactive stories and online layout will be accepted for this award. Up to five pages may be submitted as a link form on a single sheet (for example: a special landing page, a website homepage, etc.). Publications can submit once for this award. Is the submission unique, original, significant and intuitive? Is the submission technically sound? Is the web design innovative? Is the design easy to use and have accessibility features?

For excellence in feature writing. This award is only open to CUP member publications. The award is for a single story, not a reporting series, which must exceed 1000 words. Topics must be of relevance to the community of the newspaper. Is the story’s subject matter original, significant and timely? Was the narrative compelling? Did the story enhance readers’ comprehension of the issue? Did the work tell us about how we live now or deepen understanding of community histories? How important was research, resourcefulness, persistence and enterprise in the telling of this story? Would there have been difficulty in getting this information?  Was the work fair to people portrayed in and impacted by the story?  Does the work reflect the community by including a range of diverse and varied voices, perspectives, statistics and more in the coverage?

For excellence in French language reporting. Breaking news, continuing coverage, major developing stories, scoops, beat reporting and others will all be accepted for this award, so long as it is written and originally published in French. Long-term news projects and features will not be considered. Business, health, court and other beats fall under this category. Topics must be of relevance to the community of the newspaper. Non-CUP members will receive one free entry for this award.  Is the story’s subject matter original, significant and timely? Did the story have a community impact? Did the story include content and information unique to the intended audience? Has the writer balanced multiple sources? Are quotes used effectively and are they properly attributed? Does the story demonstrate research, resourcefulness and persistence?  Was the material presented in a creative and compelling fashion?  Was the work fair to people portrayed in and impacted by the story?  Does the work reflect the community by including diverse voices and perspectives? The supporting documentation can be written in French or English.

For excellence in reporting on governance or court reporting. News, features and short-form multimedia are all accepted in this category. Topics may include municipal, provincial and federal governance, public policy, court proceedings, judicial decisions and other topics of relevance to the community of the newspaper.  Is the story’s subject matter original, significant and timely? Does the story demonstrate strong research? Does the story provide a comprehensive understanding of its topic? Does the work demonstrate accuracy, fairness and a clear understanding of what’s being reported?  Does the story reflect the community by including diverse voices?

For excellence in humour and satire writing. Essays, satirical news, columns, short-form multimedia and comic strips among other forms will be considered. Topics must be of relevance to the community of the newspaper. Is the story original, creative and coherent? Does the story reflect the community and refrain from inaccurately and offensively portraying specific communities such as marginalized peoples? Is the story inventive and experimental — i.e., does the piece experiment with form, incongruity, literary devices and more? Does the content seem natively humorous — i.e., do the themes dealt with seem to best be dealt with by taking a humorous approach?

For excellence in reporting on Indigenous issues. News, features, photo essays, short-form multimedia and columns will be accepted. Topics must be of relevance to the community of the newspaper. Special consideration will be given to stories that highlight concerns not receiving coverage from non-student press. Does the reporting broaden the audience’s understanding of a specific issue facing Indigenous communities? Is the reporting fair, balanced and understanding of varied Indigenous community concerns and experiences? Does the reporting educate the audience on the historic and ongoing challenges of the relationships between Indigenous peoples in Canada, the people in power and settlers? Was the work fair to people portrayed in and impacted by the story?  Does the work reflect the community by including diverse voices and perspectives?

For excellence in investigative reporting. This award is only open to CUP member publications. Stories submitted can be of any length under 4,500 words. News, features and other forms are accepted in this category. Topics must be of relevance to the community of the newspaper and of public importance.  Is the story’s subject matter original, significant and timely? Does the story have a political, social or cultural impact on the community? How important was research, resourcefulness, persistence and enterprise in the telling of this story? Would there have been difficulty in getting this information?  Did the journalist demonstrate the skillful use of FOI and/or public records, data and/or a variety of on-the-record and confidential sources in this project? Does the story take a complicated subject and make it clear and easy to follow for the audience? Was the story written in a compelling manner? Did the story result in change? Was the work fair to people portrayed in and impacted by the story?  Does the work reflect the community by including a range of diverse and varied voices, perspectives, statistics and more in the coverage?

For excellence in labour reporting. This award is only open to CUP member publications. News, features, multimedia and profiles are all accepted in this category. Topics may include the social, economic and political factors that impact labour environments, unionization, hearings, lawsuits, strikes and other topics of relevance to the community of the newspaper.  Is the story’s subject matter original, significant and timely? Does the story demonstrate research, resourcefulness and persistence?  Does the story provide a complete understanding of an event or issue? Is this story related to labour issues? Was the work fair to people portrayed in and impacted by the story?  Does the work reflect the community by including diverse voices and perspectives?

For excellence in reporting on marginalized communities. Profiles, news, short-form multimedia, features and other forms of journalism will be considered. Topics may include coverage of an event, issue, conversation or person of relevance to the community of the newspaper. Is the story’s subject matter original, significant and timely? Does the story demonstrate research, resourcefulness and persistence?  Does the story focus on a topic directly related to marginalized communities? Does the writer practice trauma-informed reporting, if needed?  Is the story positioned toward social progress or change? Was the work fair to people portrayed in and impacted by the story?  Does the work reflect the community by including diverse voices and perspectives?

For excellence in news reporting. Reporting must include a factual gathering and presenting of information about recent events or issues fof public interest. Long-term news projects and features will not be considered. Business, health, court and other beats fall under this category. Topics must be of relevance to the community of the newspaper.  Is the story’s subject matter original, significant and timely? Did the story have a community impact? Did the story include content and information unique to the intended audience? Has the writer balanced multiple sources? Are quotes used effectively and are they properly attributed? Does the story demonstrate research, resourcefulness and persistence?  Was the material presented in a creative and compelling fashion?  Was the work fair to people portrayed in and impacted by the story?  Does the work reflect the community by including diverse voices and perspectives?

For excellence in opinion writing. Columns, analysis, editorials, op-eds, letters, reported opinions and other forms of opinion writing will be accepted. Submissions must articulate an argument and be of relevance to the community of the newspaper.  How well would this story engage a reader of the intended audience? Is the story’s claim unique or original? Does it add something new to any national or regional conversation that it is entering? Does the writer address their positionality in their writing? Are all arguments backed up by research and presented in a logical manner? Does this work identify an issue of some importance and help the reader to understand it in a new way? Does the article encourage reader response? Was the work fair to people portrayed in and impacted by the story?

For excellence in science reporting. News, features and profiles will be accepted. Topics must be related to science and can include technology, business, public health, scientific research including social science, the environment, artificial intelligence and others of relevance to the community of the newspaper. Is the story’s subject matter original, significant and timely? Does the story demonstrate research, resourcefulness and persistence?  Does the story translate a complex topic in science or technology in a way that is easy to understand for the newspaper’s audience? Is the story accessible? Was the work fair to people portrayed in and impacted by the story?  Does the work reflect the community by including diverse voices and perspectives?

For excellence in sports coverage. Previews, reviews, profiles, commentaries, news, short-form multimedia and features about sports and movement will be accepted. Topics must be of relevance to the community of the newspaper. Is the story’s subject matter original, significant and timely? Does the story demonstrate research, resourcefulness, creativity and persistence?  Is the story well told, compelling and properly explained? Is the topic accessible to both a specialized and general audience? Was the work fair to people portrayed in and impacted by the story?  Does the work reflect the community by including diverse voices and perspectives?

For excellence in video storytelling. Submissions must be pieces of original reporting. Topics can fall under any JHM topic such as arts and culture, community service, features, humour, Indigenous reporting, investigations, labour, marginalized community reporting, news, opinion, science and/or sports and must be of relevance to the community of the newspaper. Videos must be longer than one minute and submitted as a link. Publications can submit a maximum of two entries for this award. Is the submission original, significant, intuitive and timely? Is video the best way to convey the reporting? Is the submission an active part of the online culture of a university’s community? Is the submission technically sound and accessible? Is the video innovative?

For excellence in illustration and graphics. The visual must enhance a story from an informational and/or aesthetic standpoint. All mediums will be considered. Factors of judging will be colour, artistry, clarity, creativity and impact. Does the artist display superior artistic talent? Does the graphic or illustration enhance the reader’s understanding of the piece? Does the illustration or graphic have purpose? I.e., are there elements relevant to the story being told that are best told by the visual copy?

For excellence in photography. News and arts photography will be accepted. Photos must be of a topic relevant to the community of the newspaper and must adhere to photojournalistic ethics. Only one photo per submission will be considered, and photos will be judged on technical ability and artistic license. Photos, in JPEG form, must be accompanied by a caption and alternative text. Screenshots of photos will not be accepted.  Is the photo’s subject matter original, creative, significant and timely? Does the photo utilize colour well, have excellent technical quality, composition and lighting and communicate a story? Does the photographer display a concrete grasp of photography skills and photojournalism ethics? For news photos, impact, news judgment, timing, reflex, composition and creativity will be considered.  For arts photos, drama, humour, poignancy, as well as talent within a particular scene relating to the arts will be considered. Focus must be on the art form captured.

For excellence as a student photojournalist, video journalist and/or audio journalist. This award is only open to CUP member publications. This award is intended to highlight and focus on a student with a unique, diverse perspective on multimedia journalism, including a diverse range of photographic, videographic and/or audio work and who has shown initiative as a student press editor. This is just as much a leadership award as a skill award. The award will also focus on highlighting students equipped to bring unique and meaningful contributions to Canadian media. Students who submit to this category cannot submit for Student Journalist of the Year.  Submissions must include: A copy of a nominee’s resume, which should highlight past experience in various journalism fields or related areas. Contact information such as email and phone number must be included.  A portfolio of published work of at most three pieces in either link (video, audio) or JPEG format (photo). Photo series and photo essays count as one work and can be submitted in link and PDF form. All standalone photos must include a caption and alternative text. A one-page work report highlighting special projects, accomplishments or initiatives tackled within the applicant’s tenure as a student multimedia journalist. It should also outline a statement of purpose surrounding their journalistic photo portfolio so far. A letter of reference.

For excellence as a student journalist. This award is only open to CUP member publications. This award is intended to highlight and focus on student journalists who have taken initiative as an editor or with a unique, diverse perspective and beat who primarily work in reporting, both written and audio and broadcast. This is just as much a leadership award as a skill award. The award will also focus on highlighting student journalists equipped to bring unique and meaningful contributions to Canadian media. Students who submit to this category cannot submit for Student Multimedia Journalist of the Year.  Submissions must include: A copy of a nominee’s resume, which should highlight past experience in various journalism fields or related areas. Contact information such as email and phone number must be included.  A portfolio of published work of at most three pieces in link and PDF form. A one-page work report highlighting special projects, accomplishments or initiatives tackled within the applicant’s tenure as a student journalist. It should also outline a statement of purpose surrounding their journalistic body so far. A letter of reference.

For annual student journalism excellence. This award is intended to highlight student press groups’ annual reporting, community and staff engagement, new initiatives and relevance and impact on their communities. This award is only open to CUP member publications. Submissions must include: A one-page work report of what your newspaper has accomplished in the past year and why it should win the award. Up to a maximum of five portfolio pieces that demonstrate the newspaper’s impact. This can include articles, photos, website pages, social media pages, newsletters, policies, etc.  Five publications will be shortlisted, and CUP membership will vote on the winner. The shortlisted publications cannot vote for themselves.