Entries to the competition must be submitted before August 1st, 2021 (23:59 UTC).
The shortlist will be defined by November 1st, 2021 and published on the website of the competition.
The total prize fund is 520,000 CHF. Three winners in each category share a monetary prize of 130,000 CHF (including taxes, as stipulated by the legislation in force):
The first prize winner receives 100,000 CHF.
The second prize winner receives 20,000 CHF.
The third prize winner receives 10,000 CHF.
No submission fees are charged.
Rules of Entry
Application Procedure
Self-nominations are allowed.
Maximum of 3 (three) journalists from one journalism organization/media platform can be nominated for participation in the contest.
The submission form may be filled out by a representative of a registered organization/media platform nominating another journalist or by a nominee. Information must be provided in English.
One entry (one reporting or a series of reportings) from one person is accepted.
Publications (stories/articles/reportings) participating in the contest must have been published in printed media (newspapers/magazines/journals) and/or posted on media websites/outlets from June 1st, 2020 to May 31st, 2021.
The word restriction for the submitted publications is 20,000 words.
Films, videos and audio recordings as separate pieces of work are not accepted for the contest.
One publication must be attached to the application form in accordance with the instructions on the website. If a series of publications on one subject are submitted for the contest they must be sent in one file. The attached file must be in PDF format and must not exceed 10 Mb.
A signed scanned copy of the author's consent to participate in the contest must be attached to the application form if the application is submitted by the third person.
If a nominated publication was created by a team of authors each of the authors must sign a letter of consent. A letter of consent (or several letters scanned in one file) should be attached to the application form and submitted via the website.
The following details must be indicated in the form:
Personal details about the representative of a journalism organization:
- Surname and first name;
- Professional journalism organization you are representing;
- Country of registration of the professional journalism organization;
- Contact details (phone number, e-mail)
- Surname and first name;
- Gender;
- Citizenship or country of residence;
- Author’s place of work (name of an organization and address);
- Author’s position;
- Contact details (phone number, e-mail);
- Contact details of organizations for requesting references about the author(-s);
- A signed copy of the author's (authors') consent to participate in the contest if the application is submitted by the third person (PDF, 10 Mb maximum size)
- Category of the competition;
- Information about the publication (title and media platform where the reporting was published, country of
- publication (for printed publications);
- Original language of publication;
- Link(-s) to the publication, date of publication;
- Reasons for nomination in brief (a few statements)
No submission fees are charged.
Twelve (12) prize-winners (1st, 2nd and 3d prize-winners in each category) must abstain from participation in FJA competition over the next three (3) years after their victory.
Requirements to Publications
Translation through an automatic engine is not valid. Word-for-word translation is not allowed.
Materials published in printed media, posted on media websites and media will be accepted for participation in the contest.
Publication Assessment Criteria
- Accuracy: ensuring the information is fact-based and reliable;
- Independence: avoiding political and corporate bias and undue influence;
- Impartiality and fairness;
- Humanity: how principles of non-discrimination and respect for victims, minorities and vulnerable groups are applied
- Transparency: how the reporting process was out in the open and the athors made themselves accountable
- Promotion of ethical principles
- Positive impact of a publication on the political, economic or social situation in a particular area, country or globally.