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 Extended

Applications must now be received by September 8, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific 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.