Nomination Requirements & Forms
Nominations for the Payne Awards are limited to material published, broadcast, or posted, or decisions made by journalists or news organizations based in the United States.
When nominating an individual or organization for the award, please provide thefollowing information:
- Name and Title
- Organization or Publication Name
- Address
- Phone, Fax and E-mail
- Category (Collegiate Media, Individual, or News Organization)
- The date of publication or the date of the nominated decision
- Articles, tapes, web pages, or other materials
- A letter supporting the nomination. The letter should explain the ethical significance of the nominated work and, where possible, the decision-making process of the nominees.
When an entry is nominated for not publishing, or for exceptional behavior in another ethical dilemma, the supporting materials should explain the circumstances, and with clarity, the reasoning.
Established in 1999 at the School of Journalism and Communication by Seattle broadcasting legend Ancil Payne (1921-2004), the Payne Awards for Ethics in Journalism celebrate the long tradition of journalists and news organizations serving the public interest by honoring them for exceptionally principled behavior. The Payne Awards may be given for courageous reporting or decisions that are often invisible to readers, listeners or viewers.
Ancil Payne, a leader in Northwest broadcasting and lifelong contributor to the arts, politics, and education, was CEO of KING broadcasting and helped establish its reputation for and commitment to ethical journalism. In creating the award, Payne envisioned a program that would reward journalists acting with integrity and character, restore public trust in the media, and inspire people to do good work.
Journalists and outlets can nominate themselves or be nominated by a third party. The nomination letter should include details of the decision-making process.
Categories
Awards are given to news organizations, individual journalists and collegiate media.
News Organization Award
All news organizations are eligible for the award, which recognizes the institutional commitment of a news organization to serving the public interest, even when doing so puts the organization at risk.
Individual Award
Eligible professionals may be staff or freelance journalists. The nominated work must be published in a regularly distributed newspaper, magazine, broadcast or cablecast news program, or edited internet publication, or involve a decision affecting the content of those media.
Collegiate Media Award
Student journalists or news organizations such as student-run or college- or university-affiliated media are eligible for this award. Students must be enrolled in a two- or four-year college when the nominated work is published or aired or the nominated decision and reasoning occurs. If the nomination is for published work, the work must be published in a regularly distributed medium (such as a student or professional newspaper, broadcast or cablecast news program, or an edited internet publication).
Download the Payne Awards brochure
Download the Nomination Form
More information on the Payne Awards can be found by calling (541) 346-2519.
