S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications Mirror Awards Excellence in Media Competition 2024

The 2024 Mirror Awards competition is now open for submissions Apply now!!.

The Mirror Awards are the most important awards for recognizing excellence in media industry reporting. Now in their 18th year, the Mirror Awards recognize the best reporting, analysis and commentary covering the media industry and its role in our economy, culture and democracy. Established by Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications in 2006, the awards honor the reporters, producers, editors and teams of writers who hold a mirror to their own industry for the public’s benefit. 

• Table of Content
• About Syracuse University
• S.I. NSPC Mirror Awards
• Aim and Benefits of S.I. NSPC Mirror Awards
• Requirements for S.I. NSPC Mirror Awards Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for S.I. NSPC Mirror Awards
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Syracuse University

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S.I. NSPC Mirror Awards

Aim and Benefits of S.I. NSPC Mirror Awards

• SPECIAL TOPIC CATEGORY (1) FOR 2024: Best Story on the media’s coverage of artificial intelligence in journalism and the media ($1,000 prize): Up to three examples of how the media covered AI and its impact on today's journalism industry.
• SPECIAL TOPIC CATEGORY (2) FOR 2024: Best Story on the media’s coverage of the Israeli-Hamas conflict ($1,000 prize): Up to three examples on how the media covered the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
• Best Single Article/Story ($1,000 prize): A single carefully researched print, digital or broadcast piece of any length focused on the media industry. May include photos, videos, sidebars, audio and/or interactive elements, and the written piece. One article/story may be submitted per entry.
• Best Profile ($1,000 prize): A single carefully researched and sourced print, broadcast or digital piece covering a person or organization noteworthy in the media industry. One profile may be submitted per entry. 
• Best Commentary ($1,000 prize): A print, broadcast or digital piece or series of up to three pieces of commentary on the media industry demonstrating the writer’s overall knowledge of the issues, analytic skills and unique voice. 
• John M. Higgins Award for Best In-Depth/Enterprise Reporting ($5,000 prize): A single, in-depth investigative piece or a series of up to three pieces focused on the media industry. Print, broadcast or digital pieces may be entered, and entries may cross platforms (though not required). Entries will be judged on the quality of the reporting and the importance of the story covered. 

Requirements for S.I. NSPC Mirror Awards Qualification

The Mirror Awards are open to anyone who conducts professional reporting, commentary or criticism of the media industry—television, newspaper, magazine, radio, advertising, public relations, the internet and other forms of content-rich digital communications. 

Works eligible for consideration are print, broadcast and online editorial content, including material published in consumer and trade magazines; local and national newspapers; local, national or syndicated radio and television features and programs; online local, national or syndicated radio and television features and programs; and online publications, blogs and websites. Works must have been published or broadcast between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023. 

The subject matter of entries should focus on the business, people, processes and regulations involved in the development or distribution of news and entertainment content. Television reviews, film reviews, fictional works and books are not eligible. 

Interview date, Process and Venue for S.I. NSPC Mirror Awards

Judging

All entries will be subject to a two-tiered judging process. The preliminary jury comprises media professionals and faculty from the Newhouse School. The top three to five entries will be forwarded to a distinguished panel of journalists and academic leaders for final judging. Care will be taken to avoid conflicts of interest. 

Evaluation Criteria

Entries will be evaluated based on three criteria: 

• Excellence of craft: What is the overall quality of the writing and newsgathering that goes into each piece? This includes careful attention to sourcing. 
• Framing of the issue: Does the author use the story to provide a broader perspective on the media and its role in society? 
• Appropriateness for the intended audience: Does the author use language and examples that will make sense to their audience? It is expected, for example, that articles published for a trade audience will be somewhat more technical in tone than those for consumer magazines. 

Announcement of Finalists and Winners 

A list of finalists in each category will be released in early spring. Winners will be announced in June.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Rules of Entry

Writers of any age or professional situation may enter or be nominated. 

Individuals may submit up to three entries in total. If more than three entries are received, only the first three entries submitted will be accepted. 

Written pieces must be submitted with a URL (where applicable) and in PDF format. Podcasts and audio or video stories must be entered with an accompanying URL. 

Individuals may submit more than one entry per category. However, the same piece cannot be submitted to more than one category. 

Each entry must be submitted separately. 

Entries may be used in whole or in part at the awards ceremony or for event publicity. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 

No awards will be given in a category if no entries are deemed worthy of citation by the judges. 

The Newhouse School will present one award for each winning entry. Additional copies of the award may be purchased. 

No one person may win in a category more than three times within a five-year period. Entries by any person who has won three times in the last five years will be excluded. 

Judges reserve the right to move entries if incorrectly placed or deemed a more appropriate fit in another category.

For more details visit: Syracuse University website.