Media Awards

Applications now open

About the Media Journalism Awards

With the financial support of the Australian and New Zealand governments, we are pleased to seek entries from Australia and New Zealand for the Media Award Categories listed below.

Entries should reflect non-stigmatising attitudes towards mental health and be constructive in supporting the understanding of mental health matters.

Text and Online Journalism

For an article or series of articles on topics related to mental health or mental illness. This includes newspaper and magazine articles, online articles, and blogs.

Sound/Vision Journalism

For a program, program segment, or series of programs/segments relating to mental health or mental illness (including television drama). The entry must be “broadcast” either on radio, TV or online. Material prepared for conference/workshops should be submitted in a category within the Service Awards.

Special Media Award

The Special Media Award is nominated by the judges from the other two categories. Judges will be looking for a regional, rural, community or a specialist focus.

Please see eligibility and entry criteria by clicking the headings below.

Rules and Eligibility

Entry first published or broadcast between 1 April 2019 to 2 September 2020 (dates amended to reflect new submission closing date due to COVID-19).

Entry Guidelines

Entries must include the following:

PART A

  • Demographic Details (150 words).
  • Brief CV (1 x A4 page).
  • Summary of Entry (150 words).

PART B (SUBMITTED AS A SINGLE PDF)

Text and Online Journalism

  • Cover Page (click to download; 1 x A4 page).
  • Copy of the story/work (max 8 x A4 pages).
    Where possible this should also include any support material.
  • Multimedia entries with total video components over 30 mins should indicate which segments are to be included in the judge’s review (maximum duration for multimedia entries able to be reviewed is 30 mins).

Sound/Vision Journalism

  • Cover Page (click to download; 1 x A4 page).
  • URL link to the Program being submitted (max. 8 x A4 pages).
    Where possible this should also include any support material.
  • Time guide. 60 minutes of recording may be submitted for judging. If your entry is longer, you are encouraged to submit a selection of clips, redacted or edited version of up to 60 mins, with a link to the longer piece for context.

Please contact us if your piece exceeds 60 minutes for guidance on your entry.

Judging Information

Entries are assessed against the following criteria:
1. Evidence that the story has been well researched and is factually accurate.
2. The content of the story is sufficiently complete and balanced to impart a broad understanding of the issues.
3. The overall style and journalistic character of the entry are engaging for the target audience.
4. Guidelines for reporting of mental health matters are taken into account:
Australia – Mindframe guidelines
New Zealand – Mental Health Foundation guidelines

  • Judges will take into account the realistic limitations within which journalists work, and the variability on impact and reach of diverse media outlets.
  • Judges will take into consideration any material that supports the positive effect of the publication or broadcast, e.g. letters to editor, community response in the form of letters, emails, phone calls, talkback radio, etc.
  • A panel including media practitioners, clinicians, consumers, and carers will judge the Media Awards. To assist the panel, an external journalist may be invited to review any shortlist.
DISCLAIMER
  • Judges reserve the right to refuse an entry if they feel that it does not meet the selection criteria as listed under “Entry Guidelines” > “Part B”.
  • Judges reserve the right to withdraw a TheMHS Award at any time, including after the Award is granted, if they find that the entrant does not comply with the entry conditions.

For any questions or concerns, including guidance about the most appropriate category, please email awards@themhs.org