22nd Annual Sunshine State Awards Now Open

We’ve extended the deadline!

The final deadline for entries has been extended to March 14 ($38 each entry). Submit your entries online today.

SPJ’s Florida Pro Chapter is pleased to announce the opening of Florida’s premier journalism contest — the 22nd annual Sunshine State Awards. The competition is open to all print, broadcast and online journalists in the state of Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. SPJ and NAHJ members receive their second entry FREE.

This year we’ve added several new awards, including:

1. Data Reporting (newspaper)
2. Online Breaking News (online)
3. Multimedia Feature (online)

Last year we added Profile Reporting (newspaper); Headline Writing (newspaper); and Public Service Reporting (magazine).

Additionally last year we expanded our online division with best Infographic, video, social media package, and blog writing; and added two new print beat reporting categories, Food/Travel and Hardship Issues (children’s issues, homelessness, poverty, disabled, etc.).

For a third year in a row we’ve partnered with the South Florida Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists on a Spanish Language division.

Find out more about the awards here.

Other categories include:

1. James Batten Award for Public Service
2. Gene Miller Award for Investigative Reporting
3. Diversity Award
4. First Amendment Foundation Freedom of Information Award
5. Integrity Florida Award for Public Corruption Reporting
6. Journalist of the Year
7. Anchor of the Year

Our divisions include:

1. Special Categories
2. Newspaper
3. Photography & Design
4. Magazine
5. Television
6. Radio
7. Online
8. Spanish Language
9. Student

Enter online and tell a friend by using #SSA16 on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Awards ceremony details TBD.