Nutrien NRPC Journalist of the Year

($5000 towards travel to the 2025 IFAJ Congress in Kenya) 

Eligibility: The Journalist of the Year award recognises a body of work from a journalist working to tell the stories that matter to rural and regional Australia. Works can be news, feature or analysis across print/online and/or broadcast, published between October 31, 2024 to October 31, 2025. The works do not need to be related or share the same subject but must show a commitment to telling stories about and from rural and regional Australia.The winner will be awarded up to $5,000 to attend the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress. Entry is open to all paid up members of the National Rural Press Club. 

Judging criteria: Rural journalists work under extraordinary and diverse conditions across the country on multiple platforms, with access to varying levels of resources. They have to use different news categories including news, features, video and audio to tell a story. Judges will assess the entries on consistency in timeliness, accuracy, context, balance, originality and impact. Judges will also take into account the resources available to the journalist and their working conditions. 

Process: The entry must include a 200 word supporting summary describing: 

• how the portfolio reflects the journalist’s experience and skill,
• how the stories came about,
• resources available to the journalist and working conditions,
• where they were based,
• where it was published/broadcast,
• impact and feedback generated.

PDF files or audio or video links of stories must be provided however weblinks will only be accepted if they can be freely accessed without registration or paywalls. If your work is behind a paywall, it is strongly advised that you also upload an accessible copy with your entry, such as a PDF. Your entry may be disqualified if the judges cannot access your work.