These are the categories for the 2021 Peter Lisagor awards, including dozens of new categories designed to reflect the biggest stories and coverage priorities from the past year, including new awards for reporting on COVID-19 and diversity issues.
We’ve also added more online and digital categories and removed some circulation divisions to better reflect modern news organizations.
We welcome your feedback on these changes and suggestions for other new categories you’d like to see in future years.
Find more information about how to apply here.
BEST ALL MEDIA:
AM2. Best Investigative Reporting: A single story or series of stories on a single subject. Judges will consider impact and the use of Freedom of Information Act and other open-records tools to uncover abuses of power or failures to uphold the public interest.
AM3. Best Feature Story: A single story in any subject matter.
AM4. Best Feature Series: Series of stories on a single subject.
AM6. Best Photography: A single photograph or series of photographs on a single subject by one or more photographers
AM7. Best Multimedia Collaboration: A story or series involving the joint effort of two or more media organizations
AM8. Best Graphics: Three examples of work by one or a team of designers (Single-page or multiple-page spreads)
AM9. Best Illustration: A single illustration or series involving one subject
AM10. Best Data Journalism: Innovative use of data to illustrate a story, including the use of the Freedom of Information Act and other open-records tools
GENERAL INTEREST DAILY NEWSPAPER, NEWS SERVICE OR BUREAU
D1. Best Deadline Reporting, any circulation: Coverage of a news event, in its first published version.
D3. Best Investigative Reporting, circulation >100,000: Story or series on a single subject. Judges will consider impact and the use of Freedom of Information Act and other open-records tools to uncover abuses of power or failures to uphold the public interest.
D4. Best Investigative Reporting, circulation <100,000: Story or series on a single subject. Judges will consider impact and the use of Freedom of Information Act and other open-records tools to uncover abuses of power or failures to uphold the public interest.
D5. Best Political and Government Reporting, any circulation. Story or series on a single subject.
D7. Best Education Reporting, any circulation: Story or series on a single subject.
D9. Best Science or Technology Reporting, any circulation. Story or series on a single subject.
D15. Best Business or Consumer Reporting, any circulation. Story or series on a single subject.
D17. Best Feature Story or Series, circulation >100,000: Single story or series of stories on the same topic.
D18. Best Feature Story or Series, circulation <100,000: Single story or series of stories on the same topic.
D19. Best Arts Reporting and Criticism, any circulation: Story or series on a single subject.
D21. Best Sports Story, any circulation: Single story.
D23. Best Sports Commentary, any circulation. Three examples or a series on a single topic by the same author.
D25. Best News Photo, any circulation. A single photograph or a series of photographs on a single subject by one or more photographers.
D27. Best Feature Photo, any circulation. A single photograph or a series of photographs on a single subject by one or more photographers.
D29. Best Sports Photo, any circulation. A single photograph or a series of photographs on a single subject by one or more photographers.
D31. Best Design, Print. Up to three examples of work by one page designer; can be single pages or multiple-page spreads.
D32. Best Design, Digital. Up to three examples of work by one designer. Can include audio, video and/or text.
D33. Best Environment or Climate Reporting, any circulation. Story or series on a single subject.
D34. Best News Column, Editorial Writing or Commentary, staff size 50+: Three examples or a series on a single topic by the same author(s). Can include text, audio and/or video entries.
D35. Best News Column, Editorial Writing or Commentary, staff size <50. Three examples or a series on a single topic by the same author(s). Can include text, audio and/or video entries.
D36. Best Health or Science Reporting on Covid-19. Story or series on a single health or science subject related to the coronavirus pandemic.
D37. Best Feature Reporting on Covid-19. Feature story or series related to the coronavirus pandemic, excluding health- or science-focused features.
D38. Best Reporting on Race and Diversity. Story or series
NON-DAILY NEWSPAPER, MAGAZINE OR NEWSPAPER MAGAZINE SECTION
N1. Best In-depth Reporting in a General-Interest Publication, Magazine or Magazine Section. Story or series on a single subject.
N2. Best In-depth Reporting in a Community Newspaper. Story or series on a single subject.
N4. Best News Column, Editorial Writing or Commentary. Three examples or a series on a single topic by the same author(s).
N6. Best Business Reporting. Story or series on a single subject.
N7. Best Feature Story or Series. Story or series on a single subject.
N10. Best Political Reporting in Newspaper or Magazine. Story or series on a single subject. N11. Best Education Reporting in Newspaper or Magazine. Story or series on a single subject. N12. Best Arts Reporting and Criticism.
N13. Best Sports Story. Single story.
N14. Best Photography. A single photograph or a series of photographs on a single subject by one or more photographers.
N15. Best Design, Print. Up to three examples of work by one page designer; can be single pages or multiple-page spreads.
N17. Best Illustration. Up to three examples of work by one illustrator.
N16. Best Design, Digital. Up to three examples of work by one designer. Can include audio, video and/or text.
N18. Best Health or Science Reporting on Covid-19. Story or series on a single health or science subject related to the coronavirus pandemic.
N19. Best Feature Reporting on Covid-19. Feature story or series related to the coronavirus pandemic, excluding health- or science-focused features.
N20. Best Reporting on Race and Diversity. Story or series
BROADCAST: TELEVISION
T3. Best Investigative or In-Depth TV Reporting. Can be a single story or series by a reporter or reporting team. Judges will consider impact and the use of Freedom of Information Act and other open-records tools to uncover abuses of power or failures to uphold the public interest.
T4. Best On-Camera Reporter. Three examples of work by the same reporter.
T6. Best Feature or Human Interest TV Reporting. A single story or series on arts, entertainment or human interest.
T8. Best Business or Consumer TV Reporting. Single story or series by a reporter or reporting team.
T11. Best Arts and Entertainment TV Reporting. Single story or series by a reporting or reporting team.
T13. Best TV Reporting on Crime and Justice. Single story or series by a reporting or reporting team.
T14. Best TV Reporting on Education. Single story or series by a reporter or reporting team.
T15. Best TV Reporting on Environment or Climate. Single story or series by a reporter or reporting team.
T18. Best TV Reporting on Politics and Government. Single story or series by a reporter or reporting team
T19. Best TV Health or Science Reporting on Covid-19. Story or series on a single health or science subject related to the coronavirus pandemic.
T20. Best TV Feature Reporting on Covid-19. Feature story or series related to the coronavirus pandemic, excluding health- or science-focused features.
T21. Best TV Interview. Single interview on any subject
T22. Best Reporting on Race and Diversity. Story or series
BROADCAST: RADIO
R3. Best Investigative or In-Depth Radio Reporting. Single story or series by a reporter or reporting team.
R4. Best On-Air Reporter. Three examples of work by the same reporter.
R6. Best Feature or Human Interest Radio Reporting. A single story or series on arts, entertainment or human interest.
R8. Best Business or Consumer Radio Reporting. Single story or series by a reporter or reporting team.
R9. Best Sportscaster. Up to three examples of work by the same reporter. R10. Best Radio Commentary. Up to three examples of work by the same commentator.
R11. Best Radio Reporting on Environment or Climate. Single story or series by a reporter or reporting team.
R12. Best Radio Health or Science Reporting on Covid-19. Story or series on a single health or science subject related to the coronavirus pandemic.
R13. Best Radio Feature Reporting on Covid-19. Feature story or series related to the coronavirus pandemic, excluding health- or science-focused features.
R14. Best Radio Interview. Single interview on any subject
R15. Best Radio Reporting on Race and Diversity. Story or series
SPECIALTY/TRADE
S2. Best Investigative or In-depth Reporting. A single subject examined by a reporter or reporting team.
S4. Best Business or Consumer Reporting. Story or series on a single subject. S5. Best Feature Story or Series. Single story or series
S6. Best Health or Science Reporting on Covid-19. Story or series on a single health or science subject related to the coronavirus pandemic.
S7. Best Feature Reporting on Covid-19. Feature story or series related to the coronavirus pandemic, excluding health or science-focused features.
S8. Best Reporting on Race and Diversity. Story or series
ONLINE
X1. Best Multimedia Feature Presentation. Excellence in telling a story to an online audience using multimedia techniques, including interactive graphics, Flash, photography, audio and video. In addition to the quality of the journalism, emphasis will be placed on visual design and artful blending of multiple media into a single presentation.
X2. Best News Website. For the best source of news and utility in the Chicago market. Submit URLs, screenshots or PDFs.
X3. Best Individual Blog Post, independent. Blog, original to the web, written by a blogger working independent of an established news organization. The commentary should display freshness of insight and explanation. An entry may consist of up to three examples. (Print syndication after initial web posting does not disqualify an entry.)
X4. Best Individual Blog Post, affiliated. Blog, original to the web, written by a blogger working for an established news organization. The commentary should display freshness of insight and explanation. An entry may consist of up to three examples. (Print syndication after initial web posting does not disqualify an entry.)
X5. Best Continuing Blog, independent
Blog, original to the web, written by a blogger working independent of an established news organization. An entry may consist of up to three examples. (Print syndication after initial web posting does not disqualify an entry)
X6. Best Continuing Blog, affiliated. Blog, original to the web, written by a blogger working for an established news organization. An entry may consist of up to three examples (Print syndication after initial web posting does not disqualify an entry).
X7. Best Email Newsletter, independent. Submit three issues of an email newsletter that is independent of an established news organization.
X8. Best Online Deadline Reporting. Online coverage of a news event within its first 24 hours. X9. Best Online Non-deadline Story. Story on a single subject.
X10. Best Online Series, Non-deadline Reporting. Series of stories on a single subject.
X12. Best Neighborhood/Community News Website. Best source of local news in a neighborhood or community.
X13. Best Online Business or Consumer Reporting. Story or series on a single subject. X14. Best Online Feature Story or Series. Up to three examples, may include multimedia X15. Best Online Food or Restaurant Coverage. Up to three examples, may include multimedia. X16. Best Online Music Coverage. Up to three examples, may include multimedia. X17. Best Theater or Literary Online Coverage. Up to three examples, may include multimedia.
X19. Best Investigative/Public Service Online Reporting. Original work with clear presentation and creative use of the medium. A measure of the impact of the work will be considered. A single piece, series or package on the same subject.
X20. Best Use of News Video Online. Online-originated video journalism crafted specifically for a web audience. Emphasis will be placed on compelling narrative, originality and creative use of the medium. Entries may consist of a single story or up to three examples from a series related to
a single topic and may be integrated with other multimedia tools. Slideshows in a video format are not eligible.
X21. Best Use of Video for Online Feature. Online-originated video journalism crafted specifically for a web audience. Emphasis will be placed on compelling narrative, originality and creative use of the medium. Entries may consist of a single story or up to three examples from a series related to a single topic and may be integrated with other multimedia tools. Slideshows in a video format are not eligible.
X22. Best Use of Digital Technology or Data Visualization. Use of emerging digital techniques to tell a story and serve a community. Emphasis will be placed on creative use of technology and alternative platforms.
X25. Best Online Photography. A single photograph or a series of photographs on a single subject by one or more photographers
X27. Best Podcast. Submit three representative episodes. Open to podcasts that also have radio counterparts.
X28. Best Podcast Single Episode. Recognizes the best individual program in a podcast. Open to podcasts that also have radio counterparts.
X29. Best Online Illustration. Up to three examples of work by one illustrator.
X30. Best Email Newsletter, affiliated. Submit three issues of an email newsletter affiliated with an established news organization.
X31. Best Online Health or Science Reporting on Covid-19. Story or series on a single health or science subject related to the coronavirus pandemic.
X32. Best Online Feature Reporting on Covid-19. Feature story or series related to the coronavirus pandemic, excluding health- or science-focused features.
X33. Best Online Reporting on Race and Diversity. Story or series