Third Annual LION Publishers Local Journalism Awards 2021
The new LION Publishers Awards recognize excellence in journalism and business at local independent online news publishers. The awards are open to LION members only. Independent judges will put a special emphasis on entries that rise above the ordinary, show an entrepreneurial spirit and provide a blueprint for other publishers in the field. Winners will be announced at the third annual LION Awards Show virtually on Oct. 26, 2021. Details soon on how to register!
The LION Awards are open to LION Publishers members, including all employees or freelancers who work for member publications. Interested in joining LION Publishers? Check out our membership criteria and application.
To ensure we’re comparing LION member publications of roughly the same size and capacity, we’ll ask that you provide your full-time equivalent staff (FTE) as of July, 20 2020, with awards entry:
Solopreneur: 0-1 FTEs
Small publication: two to 5 FTEs
Medium - Large publication: 6 or more FTEs
Publication Date
The LION Awards are open to editorial work, business initiatives and technological advancements made between July 20, 2020 and July 20, 2021.
Deadline
Applications must be received by August 26, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Entry Fees
Entry fees are $25 for LION Member award categories. Payment should be made by credit card or PayPal via the Submittable platform.
Multiple Entries
If submitting multiple entries (either in the same category or across multiple categories), fill out forms for each category then make your purchase for each entry. There is no limit to the number of entries you can make.
General excellence in a solutions, evidence-based journalism project that includes coverage of a widely shared problem, as well as evidence-based solutions reporting with a newsworthy response. Editorial creates awareness and impact in community, with more engagement than a typical story. Typically tackles social problems.
General excellence for publications that effectively covered protests and activism in their community.
Judges will award for coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, weighing quality of writing and creative use of social platforms with impact and community engagement. Coverage shows differentiation and enterprise versus competing news outlets, and offers strong fact-based storytelling.
Best (Local) Election/Voting Coverage for publications that has served its community with excellent election coverage.
The Publisher of the Year exhibits general excellence in editorial coverage of a community or subject over a prolonged period of time. Strong online and offline engagement with audience. Solid business plan with diversified revenue streams. Strength of new initiatives, including innovation in editorial or business.
General excellence in coverage of one in-depth topic with one story or a series of stories. Coverage results in increased awareness and impact in community. Shows ability of publisher to stretch beyond typical day-to-day coverage. Judges will consider the impact of the work in the wider community through cultural or policy changes.
Breaking News (Solo, Small, Medium/Large) for coverage of unplanned breaking or developing news events, weighing quality of writing and creative use of social platforms under deadline.
General excellence in storytelling through photography, videography or infographics / data visualization or other visual means at a publication. The visual journalism stands out for its storytelling and helping people better understand a topic, in breaking news, features or investigative journalism.
Collaboration of the Year for creative collaborations between publications or community partners.
Judges will award a publication that has served its community with high-impact journalistic work, with coverage of one in-depth topic with one story or a series of stories. Coverage results in increased awareness and impact in community. Shows ability of publisher to stretch beyond typical day-to-day coverage. Judges will consider the impact of the work in the wider community through cultural or policy changes.
The Emerging Publisher shows general excellence in editorial coverage of a community or subject in their first year of operation (for publications launched after July 1, 2020). Strong online and offline engagement with audience. Solid business plan. Strength of new initiatives, including innovation in editorial or business.
Based on nominations, the LION staff will award a member who has gone above and beyond in supporting their fellow LION members and community. Members are allowed to nominate themselves.
Previously known as the Business Idea of the Year, this prize will be awarded to a LION member that has successfully implemented revenue generating strategies. We will accept nominations, including self-nominations, and the winner will be selected by a special panel of LION judges. Need more inspiration for your nomination? Past year’s finalists included Detour Detroit for its Keep Detroit Local Initiative, Richland Source for its Source Brand Solutions digital marketing agency, VT Digger for its press release portal and Taproot Edmonton for its curated newsletter for business.
General Excellence: Operational Resilience will be awarded to a LION member that has taken steps to implement the internal structures, workflows and policies that enable a news business to run efficiently, inclusively and sustainably. This could include founder/staff burnout, ability to attract and retain diverse and talented staff, having a plan and process to grow a team over time and founder succession. We will accept nominations, including self-nominations, and the winner will be selected by a special panel of LION judges. Need more inspiration for your nomination? Read our section on operational resilience in our GNI Startups Playbook.
Community Engagement and Service Award for projects that demonstrate sustained engagement with a publication’s audience or community.
