Two new categories have been introduced into this year’s Media Freedom Awards with the aim of highlighting excellence in environmental journalism.

Entries open for the annual Society of Editors-run contest on 9 June, with 23 categories up for grabs.

They include two Ecotricity Impact Awards for Environmental Journalism, one covering national titles and the other regional newsbrands.

Now in their fourth year, the awards aim to recognise journalists and media organisations who have demonstrated determination, resilience and resolve in championing the public’s right to know.

The awards are open to journalists and news organisations working across all platforms including national and regional print media, broadcast, digital and magazine journalism.

Entries will close on 11 August 2025, with prizes to be handed out at the iconic Globe Theatre in London on Wednesday 12 November 2025.

Sarah Whitehead, president of the Society of Editors and director of newsgathering and operations at Sky News said: “The Media Freedom Awards are unique in that they recognise excellence across all journalistic disciplines – from broadcast, to print, digital and magazine journalism.

“At a time when press freedom is under attack across the globe, the awards provide an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary and brilliant journalism being produced across our diverse industry and we look forward to celebrating with you on 12 November.”

A full list of categories and entry criteria is below.

Investigation of the Year – National

An investigation by a national individual or team that lifted the lid and brought to light the investigative news story no other news organisation discovered. Judges will take into account the investigative process and how it contributed to holding power to account and/or exposing wrongdoing and championing the rights of others. Entries where platforms or individuals collaborated will be accepted as will entries from producers.

Investigation of the Year – Regional

An investigation by a regional individual or team that lifted the lid and brought to light the investigative news story no other news organisation discovered. Judges will take into account the investigative process and how it contributed to holding power to account and/or exposing wrongdoing and championing the rights of others.  Entries where platforms or individuals collaborated will be accepted as will entries from producers.

Investigation of the Year – Broadcast – National

A broadcast investigation by a national individual or team that lifted the lid and brought to light the investigative news story no other news organisation discovered. Judges will take into account the investigative process and how it contributed to holding power to account and/or exposing wrongdoing and championing the rights of others.  Entries where broadcast platforms or individuals collaborated will be accepted as will entries from independent production companies as well as radio.

Investigation of the Year – Broadcast – Regional

A broadcast investigation by a regional individual or team that lifted the lid and brought to light the investigative news story no other news organisation discovered. Judges will take into account the investigative process and how it contributed to holding power to account and/or exposing wrongdoing and championing the rights of others.  Entries where broadcast platforms or individuals collaborated will be accepted as will entries from independent production companies as well as radio.

Commentator of the Year – Broadsheet

A columnist, commentator or opinion writer working for a “broadsheet” platform who is a must-read, someone with a unique voice and the ability to provoke debate. They may annoy as much as delight. Entries are open to those working in TV, radio, podcasts or in newspapers in print or digital news.

Commentator of the Year – Popular

A columnist, commentator or opinion writer working for a “popular” or “tabloid” platform who is a must-read, someone with a unique voice and the ability to provoke debate. They may annoy as much as delight. Entries are open to those working in TV, radio, podcasts or in newspapers in print or digital news.

Podcast of the Year

This award is open to podcasts that are produced regularly and have shone a light on its subject matter for audiences. Judges may also look for evidence of how the podcast may have contributed to holding power to account and/or exposing wrongdoing or championing the rights of others. Entries should be either a single episode or a combination of clips from multiple episodes up to one hour in length.

Campaign of the Year – National

The best national campaign that captured the audience’s attention and achieved tangible results. Supporting files for each entry must relate to one campaign.

Campaign of the Year – Regional

The best regional campaign that captured the audience’s attention, championed their local community or supported a local cause or initiative. Supporting files for each entry must relate to one campaign.

The Ecotricity Impact Award for Environmental Journalism – National

For a national journalist whose work has made a tangible difference to environmental understanding, action or policy. Judges will look for evidence of holding power to account and/or explaining a complex subject with clarity and authority.

The Ecotricity Impact Award for Environmental Journalism – Regional

For a regional journalist whose work has made a tangible difference to environmental understanding, action or policy. Judges will look for evidence of holding power to account and/or explaining a complex subject with clarity and authority.

Journalist of the Year – Broadcast

The broadcast journalist of the year who has demonstrated excellence in their work. Entrants can submit a body of work to support their entry including a high-profile investigation or scoop.  Judges will look for evidence of holding power to account and championing the rights of others. Entries can also be submitted on behalf of producers.

Journalist of the Year – National

The national journalist of the year who has demonstrated excellence in their work. Entrants can submit a body of work to support their entry including a high-profile investigation or scoop.  Judges will look for evidence of holding power to account and championing the rights of others. Entries can also be submitted on behalf of producers.

Journalist of the Year – Regional

The regional journalist of the year who has demonstrated excellence in their work. Entrants can submit a body of work to support their entry including a high-profile investigation or scoop.  Judges will look for evidence of holding power to account and championing the rights of others. Entries can also be submitted on behalf of producers.

Young Journalist of the Year National

Open to national journalists or producers aged 30 or under on 11 August 2025. Entries can include work from any journalistic discipline including those working in video journalism or with podcasts.  The judges will look for evidence of holding power to account, exposing wrongdoing and championing the rights of others across a variety of coverage.

Young Journalist of the Year Regional

Open to regional journalists or producers aged 30 or under on 11 August 2025. Entries can include work from any journalistic discipline including those working in video journalism or with podcasts.  The judges will look for evidence of holding power to account, exposing wrongdoing and championing the rights of others across a variety of coverage.

Foreign Correspondent of the Year

For an individual who has been based in a foreign country or from where they have filed work that brings the country and its affairs to light for a UK audience. The judges will look for overall coverage and investigations, evidence of holding power to account, seeking the truth and championing the rights and freedoms of others.

Political Journalist of the Year

The winner will be the political reporter who set the agenda with the biggest stories and/ or most revelatory writing which showed evidence of holding power to account, exposing wrongdoing and championing the rights and freedoms of others.

The Bob Satchwell Award for Freedom of Speech

This special award will be decided by the judges to honour an exceptional organisation or individual who continuously champions the public’s right to know. This award cannot be entered.

Photojournalist of the Year

Judges will be looking for the photojournalist of the year whose images or video has had an impact. Judges will be looking for evidence of how the images have shone a light on the freedoms of others and /or by exposing wrong-doing and championing the rights of others.

National News Media Organisation of the Year

The National News Media Organisation of the Year will have consistently held power to account, championed the freedoms or rights of others and demonstrated a commitment to promoting media freedom. Judges will consider overall coverage, campaigns and investigations and evidence of any tangible impact that coverage has had.

Regional News Media Organisation of the Year

The Regional News Media Organisation of the Year will have consistently held power to account, championed the freedoms or rights of communities they serve and demonstrated a commitment to promoting media freedom. Judges will consider overall coverage, campaigns and investigations and evidence of any tangible impact that coverage has had.

Broadcast News Media Organisation of the Year

The Broadcast News Media Organisation of the Year will have consistently held power to account, championed the freedoms or rights of others and demonstrated a commitment to promoting media freedom. The judges will be looking at overall coverage, campaigns and investigations and evidence of the tangible impact that coverage has had.