Call for Applications: Annual Journalism Awards in Kosovo

The aim is to honour journalists who produced stories in 2023, either independently or as employees of different media. The goal is to appreciate media coverage and inspire journalists to continue covering important issues for the audience.

The winners of the Annual Journalism Awards will be journalists and cameramen/camerawomen/ photojournalists, who, often under difficult circumstances, produce news that have a significant impact in Kosovo.

Award Categories

• Journalist of the Year
  • This award is given to a journalist committed to the highest standards of the profession, who throughout the year has produced news that has had a positive impact in Kosovo, and despite the aggravated environment of journalism and personal risks, has provided high quality coverage, thereby also building public discourse. This includes journalists who monitor the spending of public money, serve as observers of events that shape the interactions between the economy, politics, and other areas in Kosovo.
  • Eligible for this category are:
    • TV stories;
    • Video stories published in online media;
    • Written web stories.
• Best TV Story of the Year
  • A story that had the greatest impact during 2023 will be awarded in this category. The topics can be from any sector and are evaluated based on the following criteria: writing style and skills; the value of writing and the impact on viewers in general; unique approach; degree of difficulty and logistical challenges; story coverage; available resources and tools used in gathering information; impact on society; the effect achieved after the publication of the story; and promotion of public discussion.
  • Eligible for this category are:
    • Only stories published on TV channels.
• Best Web Story of the Year
  • Stories, whether written or video stories, that are published on websites and not in traditional media, are alternative approaches to reporting, and their impact is also important considering the orientation of new generations towards information provided on online platforms. For this reason, an annual journalism award will also be given to the story or series of stories focused on a topic based on its importance, the way the topic was handled, and the impact it had.
  • Eligible for this category are:
    • Video stories published in online media;
    • Written stories published in online media.
• Best Camera Operator of the Year
  • The role of cameramen/camerawomen requires specific skills like choosing carefully adapted images and creativity, the ability to choose the appropriate lens for the camera, and the ability to communicate with the reporter when conducting a story. Considering this as an important aspect, AJK will award a cameraman/camerawoman who has demonstrated professionalism in creative and excellent images, mastery of composition and lighting.
  • The topics can be from any sector and are evaluated based on the following criteria: style and skills; the value and the impact on viewers in general; unique approach; degree of difficulty and logistical challenges; story coverage; available resources and tools used in gathering information; impact on society; the effect achieved after the publication of the story; and promotion of public discussion.
  • Eligible for this category are:
    • The stories published on TV channels or online media
• Journalism award for Women’s Empowerment
  • This award aims to honour reporting on the role of women in peacebuilding, political life, the advancement of human rights, economic and social development, in which case the aim of reporting is to raise awareness of the importance of gender equality, women’s empowerment, and participation in democratic and development processes.
  • Eligible for this category are:
    • TV stories;
    • Video stories published in online media;
    • Written web stories
• Best Sports Journalism story
  • In this category, which represents an award for sports journalists in Kosovo, a story that demonstrates the highest standards of journalism but also marks an effort to invest in sports journalism, and to protect the integrity of the profession, will be awarded. The stories are evaluated based on the following criteria: writing style and skills; the value of writing and the impact on viewers in general; unique approach; degree of difficulty and logistical challenges; story coverage; available resources and tools used in gathering information; impact on society; the effect achieved after the publication of the story; and promotion of public discussion.
  • Eligible for this category are:
    • Television video stories;
    • Video stories published in online media;
    • Written web stories.
• Best story about anti gypsyism
  • This category represents a new award for journalists who report on anti-gypsyism, which is a movement in Kosovo that fights against racism and discrimination against the Kosovo Roma, Kosovo Egyptian and Kosovo Ashkali communities. The movement recognises the important role of the media in shaping public opinion and influencing policies. In order to encourage accurate and balanced reporting on the elimination of racial discrimination against these communities, this award recognises and promotes balanced and detailed journalism in this field. The stories are evaluated based on the following criteria: writing style and skills; the value of writing and the impact on viewers in general; unique approach; degree of difficulty and logistical challenges; story coverage; available resources and tools used in gathering information; impact on society; the effect achieved after the publication of the story; and promotion of public discussion.
  • Eligible for this category are:
    • TV video stories;
    • Video stories published in online media;
    • Written web stories.
• Best health story
  • This category represents a new award where journalists will be rewarded for their coverage in the field of health, promoting knowledge and awareness about important health issues. This award is an opportunity for journalists to share reporting on improving public awareness of health issues. This category aims to promote quality reporting in this important area, in order to improve healthcare and public health in general. The stories are evaluated based on the following criteria: writing style and skills; the value of writing and the impact on viewers in general; unique approach; degree of difficulty and logistical challenges; story coverage; available resources and tools used in gathering information; impact on society; the effect achieved after the publication of the story; and promotion of public discussion.
  • Eligible for this category are:
    • TV video stories
    • Video stories published in online media
    • Written web stories.

Prize Information

• Journalist of the Year
  • Prize: EUR 1,000
• Best TV Story of the Year
  • Prize: EUR 700
• Best Web Story of the Year
  • Prize: EUR 700
• Best Camera Operator of the Year
  • Prize: EUR 700
• Journalism award for Women’s Empowerment
  • Prize: EUR 700
• Best Sports Journalism story
  • Prize: EUR 700
• Best story about anti gypsyism
  • Prize: EUR 700
• Best health story
  • Prize: EUR 700

Eligibility Criteria

• Journalists from all over Kosovo, regardless of their age, gender, or community, are invited to apply if their stories were published from January 1, 2023 to November 19, 2023.
• Journalists should be nominated by their newsroom or they can be self-nominated. In both cases, a letter justifying the nomination for journalist of the year together with the attached links of the nominated journalist’s work must be sent to the AJK e-mail address.

For more information, visit AJK.