Deadline: 30-Sep-2025
Entries are now open for the Gambia Press Union National Journalism Awards to honour and celebrate courage and excellence in Gambian journalism across all type of news and information media – print, online/multimedia platforms, radio, television, and photography.
The Journalism Excellence Awards 2025 has officially opened entries for journalists to showcase their outstanding work across multiple reporting categories.
Business and Finance Reporting Award Entries should cover reporting in any aspect of the economy or business venture. Sports Reporting Award Entries should relate to reporting on sports – coverage of sporting events; business behind sport and features on personalities. Environment Reporting Award Entries should relate to environmental issues: protection of the environment; conservation; climate change and innovative ways to combat environmental damage.
Health & Medical Reporting Award Entries should include coverage of prevention, protection and treatment of diseases and conditions; cost and development of healthcare; and the impact of health issues on communities. Women’s Reporting Award Entries should relate to reporting on any aspect of women’s issues in the Gambia. Children’s Reporting Award Entries should relate to reporting on any aspect of issues involving children in The Gambia. Investigative Report Award Entries should relate to investigative reporting on any aspect of issues in The Gambia. Migration & Human Trafficking Reporting Award Entries should relate to Migration & Human Trafficking Reporting on any aspect of issues involving Gambian migrants.
Tourism, Culture, Arts & Entertainment Reporting Award Entries should relate to reporting on any aspect of Tourism, Culture, Arts & Entertainment including how it affects the economy and socio-cultural settings. Agriculture Reporting Award Entries should cover any coverage of agriculture– farming, animal husbandry, aquaculture etc. Legal Affairs Reporting Award Entries for this category should cover reports dealing with issues of transitional justice and Court reporting. Photo Journalism Award Entries should cover any aspect of photo journalism and the entry must be published within the 2025 award entry timeline under consideration. Security Reporting Award Entries should relate to Security Reporting on any aspect of issues involving security in The Gambia. Human Rights Reporting Award Entries should cover reporting in any aspect of Human rights. Tax Reporting Award Entries should cover reporting in any aspect of Tax Reporting. Political Reporting Award Entries should cover reporting on Gambian politics and political activities. Special Category (FGM) Entries should cover reporting in any aspect of FGM in the Gambia.
This year’s awards feature a total of twenty-one categories, with seventeen categories open for journalists to submit their entries. The Journalist of the Year award will be selected by the judges from among participants whose work stands out most. In addition, two special categories will recognize individuals and institutions that have made outstanding contributions and support toward journalists and media development.
The competition is open to all registered Gambia-based media outlets and paid-up journalists. Gambian-focused media outlets operating outside the country will also be considered, and Gambian journalists whose stories are published on local or foreign media outlets are eligible to participate. Eligible work must be published or broadcasted between January 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025. Opinion articles, advertorials, commercially contracted promotional work, and newsletter content will not be considered. Personal blogs, social media accounts, and non-media outlets are also excluded from eligibility.
Participants may submit multiple entries, but no more than two works per category, and a single story cannot be submitted across multiple categories. Each entry must be accompanied by its own submission form. Audio and video submissions for news items should not exceed three minutes, while features and special reports may run up to seven minutes or more. All audio and video files must be uploaded to cloud storage and shared via an accessible link. Text entries can be up to 3,000 words and must be in English. Any audio or video submissions in other languages must be translated or subtitled in English. All broadcast entries must include a clear sign-off or cue mentioning the reporter’s name.
Entries for eligible categories can be submitted through the official Submit Entry Link available on the website. Winners will be recognized with a trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize in acknowledgment of their exceptional reporting.
Shortlisted journalists will be announced in November ahead of the Award Night scheduled for December 16th, making the event a major highlight in the country’s media calendar. The deadline for application is 30 September 2025.
For more information, visit GPU.