The 2027 awards recognize work published from January 1 to December 31, 2026. Review each category’s definition, submission requirements and judging criteria.
Choose a category
Writing and editorial storytelling
- 1. Best News Coverage
- 2. Best News Coverage — Small Publication
- 3. Investigative Journalism
- 4. Best Topical Reporting: Canada–U.S. Relations
- 5. Best Feature Journalism
- 6. Best Narrative Nonfiction
- 7. Best Column, Opinion or Criticism
- 8. Best Personal Essay
- 9. Best Service Journalism
- 10. Best Lifestyle Storytelling
- 11. Best Arts & Culture Storytelling
- 12. Best Science & Technology Storytelling
Audio and video storytelling
- 13. Best Social Video Journalism
- 14. Best Video Reporting and Explanation
- 15. Best Documentary Video Storytelling
- 16. Best Narrative and Documentary Podcast
- 17. Best Reporting and Explanation Podcast
- 18. Best Interview and Conversation Podcast
- 19. Best Standalone Audio Storytelling
Visual, data and innovative storytelling
Editorial products and projects
Publication and individual achievement
- 25. General Excellence in Digital Publishing
- 26. Emerging Excellence
- 27. Editorial Achievement
- 28. Digital Publishing Leadership
Before you start
Entrants select their categories. Work may enter multiple categories if it meets each definition. Staff do not recommend categories or move entries. Provide direct links and any access instructions. Series and packages must be clearly connected, rather than general portfolios, unless the category specifies otherwise.
News Coverage or Investigative Journalism?
News Coverage establishes and explains significant events or developments. Investigative Journalism uncovers and substantiates new findings of public significance. The distinction is the reporting’s contribution, not length or number of links. Work may qualify for both.
Feature Journalism or Narrative Nonfiction?
Feature Journalism deepens understanding through reporting, insight and explanation. Narrative Nonfiction uses sustained narrative construction: scenes, people, voice, pacing and development. Narrative may be linear, non-linear or braided. An engaging opening or length alone is insufficient. The categories may overlap.
Writing and editorial storytelling
These categories primarily recognize text-led work, with relevant supporting elements. Column, Opinion or Criticism also accepts audio and video work.
1. Best News Coverage
Outstanding digital journalism that reports, verifies and explains a significant topic, event or development. Entries should demonstrate strong news judgment, accurate reporting and meaningful context, helping audiences understand what happened, why it matters and how events are developing. Original discoveries are welcome, but are not required.
What to submit
One complete work or a tightly bounded series of up to three related links focused on the same topic or event.
Judging criteria
- News judgment and relevance
- accuracy and verification
- quality and depth of reporting
- context and explanatory value
- clarity and presentation
- public value and impact. Assess how effectively the coverage establishes the facts and helps audiences understand the event or development. Timeliness should be considered in relation to the subject and reporting circumstances, rather than speed alone.
2. Best News Coverage — Small Publication
Recognizes outstanding digital news coverage by a small publication or newsroom. The category provides a dedicated opportunity for news organizations working with limited editorial resources. Coverage may address a topic or event of local, regional, provincial, national or international significance, including news for specialist audiences. Eligibility is based on newsroom size and resources, not geography or audience size. For 2027, publications self-identify as small based on their editorial resources. Entrants must provide newsroom size and information about regular freelance, shared and parent-organization support during 2026. This information will inform eligibility criteria for future competitions.
What to submit
One complete work or a tightly bounded series of up to three related links.
Judging criteria
- Quality, accuracy and depth of reporting
- enterprise and originality
- editorial judgment
- clarity and presentation
- relevance and service to the intended audience
- public value and impact. Apply the same standard of journalistic excellence as Best News Coverage. Small-publication eligibility creates the dedicated competition
- it does not lower the quality standard.
3. Investigative Journalism
Cash-prize category
Original journalism that uncovers previously unknown or concealed information of public significance through systematic investigation. The work should establish new findings through documents, data, interviews, observation or other evidence, revealing wrongdoing, systemic failures or other matters of public interest. Length or depth alone does not make reporting investigative.
What to submit
One investigation or a connected series of up to three related links. The links should represent the investigation itself, rather than a publication’s broader body of work.
Judging criteria
- Originality and significance of what the investigation uncovered
- rigour of methods and verification
- strength of evidence supporting the findings
- depth and persistence of reporting
- fairness and context
- clarity and presentation
- public value and impact. Assess what the work established that was not previously known and how convincingly the evidence supports it. Demonstrated consequences may strengthen an entry but are not required to establish its public significance.
4. Best Topical Reporting: Canada–U.S. Relations
Cash-prize category
Outstanding journalism examining the political, economic, cultural or social relationship between Canada and the United States, including tariffs, trade, sovereignty and cross-border issues.
What to submit
One complete work or a tightly bounded series of up to three related links.
Judging criteria
- Reporting quality and originality
- subject knowledge
- relevance and significance
- explanatory value
- clarity
- digital execution and impact.
5. Best Feature Journalism
Cash-prize category
An outstanding reported feature, profile, analysis or other journalistic work in which reporting, insight and presentation are central.
What to submit
One complete work or a bounded package of up to three related links.
Judging criteria
- Quality, originality and rigour of reporting
- depth of insight and explanatory value
- structure, clarity and coherence
- quality of writing and presentation
- audience value
- overall execution. Judging emphasizes how effectively the work develops understanding of its subject. Narrative techniques are welcome but are not required to organize the work.
6. Best Narrative Nonfiction
Cash-prize category
Nonfiction journalism or literary journalism in which narrative construction is the primary storytelling method, using characters, scenes, chronology, voice, tension or other narrative techniques.
What to submit
One complete narrative work or a connected narrative series of up to three related links.
Judging criteria
- Sustained narrative structure and development
- character, scene and telling detail
- voice, perspective and pacing
- quality and rigour of reporting or research
- originality
- emotional or intellectual impact. Give particular emphasis to narrative craft and its sustained contribution to the work as a whole, whether linear, non-linear or braided. An engaging opening or length alone is insufficient
- assess whether narrative techniques are sustained throughout.
7. Best Column, Opinion or Criticism
Cash-prize category
Outstanding commentary, opinion or criticism distinguished by voice, argument, interpretation or insight. One complete work or a recurring body of work by the same creator may be submitted. Written, audio and video work are eligible, including work published through newsletters, podcasts or video platforms.
What to submit
One complete work, or up to three representative examples by the same creator, accompanied by a brief description of the work and its intended audience. Links must identify the specific pieces to be judged, rather than an entire channel, feed or archive.
Judging criteria
- Strength and clarity of argument or interpretation
- evidence, accuracy and subject understanding
- distinctiveness of voice
- originality and insight
- execution appropriate to the medium
- audience value. Where a body of work is submitted, assess consistency across the examples. Judge the quality of the contribution rather than agreement with the creator’s position or the size of their following.
8. Best Personal Essay
Cash-prize category
An essay in which the writer’s personal experience, perspective or voice is central to the work.
What to submit
One complete essay. A related series may be submitted as up to three connected pieces.
Judging criteria
- Storytelling quality
- effectiveness of personal perspective
- style and originality
- insight
- emotional or intellectual impact
- audience value.
9. Best Service Journalism
Cash-prize category
Journalism whose primary purpose is to help audiences understand, navigate or act on a subject through practical information, advice, explanation or guidance.
What to submit
One complete work or a bounded package of up to three related links.
Judging criteria
- Editorial judgment
- accuracy and usefulness
- clarity
- relevance to the intended audience
- accessibility
- effectiveness of presentation.
10. Best Lifestyle Storytelling
Cash-prize category
Editorial storytelling about how people live, what they value and how they experience the world. It may include food, travel, design, fashion, health and wellness, family, relationships, recreation, home and personal interests. Entries may take the form of reported features, profiles, narrative work, criticism or essays. Promotional, advertorial or purely transactional content is not eligible.
What to submit
One complete work or a bounded package of up to three related links.
Judging criteria
- Editorial quality and reporting judgment
- originality and point of view
- storytelling and writing
- cultural or social insight
- relevance to the audience
- presentation and digital execution.
11. Best Arts & Culture Storytelling
Cash-prize category
An outstanding story about arts, culture, entertainment or cultural life, including reporting, criticism, profiles and narrative work.
What to submit
One complete work or a bounded package of up to three related links.
Judging criteria
- Storytelling and reporting
- originality
- cultural insight
- quality of writing or presentation
- relevance
- audience engagement.
12. Best Science & Technology Storytelling
Cash-prize category
An outstanding story about science or technology, including reporting, analysis, explanation, profiles and related journalism.
What to submit
One complete work or a bounded package of up to three related links.
Judging criteria
- Accuracy and subject understanding
- clarity of explanation
- reporting and research
- storytelling
- relevance
- audience value.
Audio and video storytelling
These categories recognize work in which sound or moving image is the primary medium. Choose by storytelling approach rather than runtime. For mixed-format podcasts, consider what principally organizes the episodes.
13. Best Social Video Journalism
Journalism created for social video platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts, where the format, pacing and presentation are designed for the platform and its audience.
What to submit
One video or up to three closely related videos from the same editorial package or series. Do not submit an entire channel or unrelated clips.
Judging criteria
- Editorial substance
- clarity and usefulness
- platform-native storytelling
- creativity
- pacing
- audience relevance
- visual and audio execution.
14. Best Video Reporting and Explanation
Video journalism organized around reporting, a question, findings, context or explanation. The central purpose is to help audiences understand what happened, why it matters or how something works.
What to submit
One complete video or a tightly connected series of up to three videos.
Judging criteria
- Quality of reporting
- accuracy and context
- clarity of explanation
- structure and pacing
- visual and sound craft
- audience value
- digital execution.
15. Best Documentary Video Storytelling
Nonfiction video storytelling that develops a story, subject or experience through people, scenes, testimony, observation, archives, investigation or discovery.
What to submit
One complete documentary or a connected documentary series of up to three videos.
Judging criteria
- Depth of reporting and access
- narrative development
- portrayal of people and subjects
- visual and sound craft
- structure and pacing
- originality
- emotional or intellectual impact.
16. Best Narrative and Documentary Podcast
A podcast, season or bounded audio series that constructs a nonfiction story through reporting, narration, interviews, scenes, archives, sound design, music or editing.
What to submit
A season, bounded series or recurring podcast represented by up to three episodes. Include a brief description of the series and the role of the submitted episodes.
Judging criteria
- Editorial quality
- reporting and research
- narrative structure
- voice and pacing
- sound design and production
- originality
- emotional or intellectual impact.
17. Best Reporting and Explanation Podcast
A podcast organized around reporting, evidence, questions and explanation, helping audiences understand news, public affairs, science, health, business, policy or other subjects.
What to submit
Up to three representative episodes from a podcast or series. Daily and weekly news podcasts are eligible.
Judging criteria
- Reporting quality and authority
- clarity
- context and insight
- explanatory value
- editorial judgment
- scripting, hosting and pacing
- audience service.
18. Best Interview and Conversation Podcast
A podcast in which interviews, dialogue, panels or conversation are the principal form of storytelling.
What to submit
Up to three representative episodes or segments from a podcast or series.
Judging criteria
- Preparation and questioning
- listening and exchange
- insight
- quality of guests and perspectives
- framing
- hosting
- consistency
- audience value.
19. Best Standalone Audio Storytelling
A self-contained documentary, reported feature, audio essay, special or immersive audio work that is not best understood as part of a recurring podcast or season. It may appear within an established feed.
What to submit
One standalone work or a connected package of up to three related audio pieces.
Judging criteria
- Editorial quality and originality
- storytelling and structure
- voice, sound and music
- coherence
- production quality
- audience value
- overall execution.
Visual, data and innovative storytelling
20. Best Visual Storytelling
Cash-prize category
Editorial storytelling in which photography, illustration, visual design, animation or another visual form is central to communicating the story.
What to submit
One visual story or a coherent package of up to three related elements.
Judging criteria
- Visual quality and direction
- editorial strength
- cohesion
- storytelling effectiveness
- accessibility and user experience
- originality
- audience impact.
21. Best Data Journalism
Journalism in which data collection, analysis or presentation is central to the reporting and storytelling.
What to submit
A main story or project accompanied by up to three supporting links or elements.
Judging criteria
- Data quality and rigour
- analysis
- accuracy
- reporting
- narrative structure
- clarity
- visual presentation
- user experience and impact.
22. Best Innovative Storytelling
An original editorial work that uses form, structure, presentation, technology, collaboration or another creative approach to advance journalism and audience understanding.
What to submit
A main entry with a statement of up to 500 words explaining the editorial purpose and innovation, plus supporting links or elements.
Judging criteria
- Originality and ambition
- quality of journalism
- whether innovation serves the editorial purpose
- coherence
- usability and accessibility
- execution
- audience impact.
Digital design remains eligible where it contributes to journalism, storytelling or audience experience.
Editorial products and projects
23. Best Newsletter
An editorial newsletter or recurring email publication distinguished by editorial judgment, usefulness, voice, consistency and relationship with its audience.
What to submit
Three representative issues and a concise statement describing the newsletter’s editorial purpose, intended audience, publication frequency, editorial approach and evidence of audience service or impact. Include subscriber and engagement figures where available, identifying the reporting period and measurement method, alongside relevant qualitative evidence such as reader responses or examples of audience service. Explain any unavailable metrics or measurement limitations.
Judging criteria
- Editorial judgment
- clarity and usefulness
- voice and distinctiveness
- consistency
- design and execution
- demonstrated service to the intended audience. Assess engagement and impact in the context of the newsletter’s purpose, age and readership, using relevant quantitative and qualitative evidence. There is no minimum subscriber count, open rate or click-through rate. Audience size alone is not a measure of excellence
- account for automated activity and privacy-related limitations in email metrics.
24. Best Editorial Project
A coherent, bounded editorial project organized around a subject, theme, event, investigation or public-interest initiative, and presented through one or more formats.
What to submit
A main project link with up to three supporting links or elements.
Judging criteria
- Ambition and coherence
- quality of journalism
- integration of formats
- audience experience
- originality
- accessibility
- impact.
Publication and individual achievement
25. General Excellence in Digital Publishing
Recognizes sustained excellence by a digital publication in realizing its editorial mandate and serving its intended audience through the quality, consistency and presentation of its work.
Eligible publication
An eligible digital publication is an ongoing editorial offering with a clear mandate and intended audience. It uses digital platforms to deliver original editorial content that serves its audience’s needs and interests. Each entry must identify the scope of one publication; it may operate across platforms but cannot combine unrelated publications simply because they share an owner. All general eligibility rules apply.
What to submit
- Mandate, audience and scope: up to 100 words.
- Case for excellence during the eligibility year: up to 200 words.
- Three examples drawn from across the active publishing year: for each, provide a title, publication date, direct link and explanation of up to 50 words.
- Selection of examples: demonstrate editorial achievement, the quality of the regular offering and the audience experience.
- Access: provide a primary publication link and any access instructions.
No supporting PDF or additional portfolio. Audience evidence may support the case but need not be numerical.
Judging criteria
- Editorial substance: accuracy, depth, originality and insight.
- Editorial judgment: purposeful choices about subjects, perspectives and coverage.
- Consistency: sustained standards across the regular offering, beyond standout pieces.
- Presentation and execution: structure, design and production that make the work clear, accessible and engaging.
- Audience value: what the publication helps its intended audience understand, experience or do.
The mandate provides context; it does not set the quality standard.
The submission must demonstrate sustained excellence across the editorial offering entered, rather than isolated successes. Examples support the case; they do not replace it. Audience size, budget, output volume and platform count carry no inherent advantage.
Entries are judged as one pool. Up to three Gold awards may be presented, each with a citation explaining the publication’s excellence. There is no obligation to award three or represent particular publication types.
26. Emerging Excellence
Outstanding early-career work by an individual within the first three years of their professional career in digital publishing or editorial media.
What to submit
A nomination of no more than 1,000 words, excluding URLs and brief captions, including a biography, career summary, up to three representative links and any relevant supporting material.
Judging criteria
- Quality and creativity of work
- achievement relative to experience
- editorial contribution
- originality
- promise and potential.
27. Editorial Achievement
An individual whose editorial judgment, leadership or collaboration has significantly strengthened digital journalism, storytelling or audience experience. Eligible roles may include editor, producer, story editor, managing editor or equivalent.
What to submit
A nomination describing the individual’s contribution, supported by up to three representative projects and up to two letters of support.
Judging criteria
- Quality and innovation
- editorial judgment
- contribution to the work
- collaboration and leadership
- audience experience
- demonstrated impact.
28. Digital Publishing Leadership
An individual whose career has made a significant contribution to digital publishing through sustained achievement, leadership, creativity, innovation or service to the field.
What to submit
A nomination of no more than ten pages, including a biography, career achievements, representative links and at least two letters of support from a minimum of three nominators.
Judging criteria
- Career achievement
- leadership and influence
- originality and innovation
- contribution to the publishing community
- mentorship or service
- lasting impact.