WBA Newsroom
Investigative reporters are highly trained to uncover and expose stories that reveal critical information that may not be immediately apparent or readily accessible. However, pursuing these stories is no simple task, which is why the Wisconsin Newspaper Association and the A-Mark Foundation have established a new $15,000 cash prize for reporters and newsrooms in Wisconsin, including broadcast journalists.
Eligibility Criteria
· Who Can Apply: Open to all news media organizations based in Wisconsin, including newspapers, radio and TV broadcast outlets, and digital-only platforms.
· Publication Dates: Entries must have been published or aired between Sept. 1, 2023, and Aug. 31, 2024.
· Eligible Work: Both standalone pieces and series are eligible for submission.
· Who Can Submit: Individual reporters, editors, and freelance journalists based in Wisconsin are welcome to apply, provided their work has been published or aired by Wisconsin-based news media organizations.
Judging Criteria
This award will recognize excellence in investigative reporting. Submissions will be evaluated based on the following core criteria. Not all elements need to be present in every submission, but reporting should demonstrate excellence in some or all these areas:
· Quality of Journalism: Judges will look for well-researched, thorough work that provides new insights or brings important issues to light. Whether it is investigative, solutions-oriented or service journalism, the work should be grounded in strong journalistic principles, such as accuracy, fairness and accountability.
· Quality of Presentation: Submissions should be clear, compelling and effectively presented in their chosen format(s)whether it is written, audio, video or multimedia. Judges will assess how well the story is structured, how accessible and engaging it is for the intended audience, and the integration of visuals, data or other storytelling elements that enhance understanding.
· Responsiveness to Community Needs: This criterion focuses on how well the reporting responds to the needs of the community it serves. Judges will consider how the reporting reflects community input or engagement, whether through direct collaboration, feedback or active listening. Solutions journalism that addresses specific local challenges or service journalism that provides essential, actionable information to the public is highly valued.
· Impact: Judges will evaluate the demonstrated or potential impact of the reporting. This can include raising awareness of critical issues, sparking public dialogue, influencing policy or providing practical solutions that lead to tangible changes. Impact also encompasses how the reporting benefits the community or advances public understanding in meaningful ways.
The contest will be administered by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation and judged by a committee of retired Wisconsin newspaper and broadcast journalists, as well as representatives from the University of Wisconsin School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
The deadline to enter is Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
Apply here
Upload a .pdf or .jpg of the print or online only entries OR an .mp4 or .mpg of video or audio files.
Up to five supporting pieces may be submitted per entry.
Prize Details
Winners will receive the following prizes. Winning submissions with multiple journalists or newsrooms will split the relevant prizes.
First place: $5,000 for the journalist(s) and $2,500 to the news organization
Second place: $3,000 for the journalist(s) and $1,500 to the news organization
Third place: $2,000 for the journalist(s) and $1,000 to the news organization
The A-Mark Awards will be presented on the evening of March 7, 2025, at the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Annual Convention in Madison.