The contest portal for the San Francisco Press Club’s 2026 Greater Bay Area Journalism Awards is now open: www.BetterNewspaperContest.com. Please follow the contest rules below and submit your entries before 9 p.m. PST on Oct. 12, 2026.
We look forward to your submissions and celebrating with you in December – details to follow!
NEW FOR THE 2026 AWARDS
1) Divisions for 2026 are:
OVERALL EXCELLENCE AWARDS
PRINT & DIGITAL JOURNALISM **
BROADCAST JOURNALISM
RADIO & PODCAST JOURNALISM
COLLEGE JOURNALISM
OPEN TO ALL JOURNALISTS
This change more accurately reflects the media landscape in the Bay Area, as most outlets prioritize their digital presence and online-only operations are increasingly competing with traditional print publications. The Open to All Journalists division has two new categories: Best of Social Media, and Emerging Journalist Award.
** Several of the categories in the PRINT & DIGITAL JOURNALISM Division are broken down by newsroom size. See the category list for details.
LARGE NEWSROOM – includes digital media, daily newspapers and still photography for newsrooms with greater than 15 full-time paid staff members. Independent journalists are eligible.
SMALL NEWSROOM – includes digital media, non-daily newspapers and still photography for newsrooms with 15 or fewer paid, full-time staff members. All non-daily newspapers and independent journalists are eligible.
2) News outlets may submit entries across multiple divisions. For example, a newspaper may submit entries in the PRINT AND DIGITAL division, as well as TELEVISION/VIDEO and RADIO/PODCAST — and vice versa for broadcast outlets with digital websites that feature text journalism/still photography.
Thank you for participating in the contest and good luck!
INSTRUCTIONS
ELIGIBILITY: Competition is open to full-time journalists, part-time journalists, independent journalists and bloggers who are residents of the greater Bay Area, including residents of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano or Sonoma counties who have material published, broadcast, aired or online during the contest period from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
In addition, the competition is open to all media professionals who are residents of a county immediately adjacent to the Greater Bay Area (such as Santa Cruz, Monterey, Yolo, San Joaquin, San Benito, Sacramento or Mendocino counties). For team submissions with reporters in multiple locales, at least one contributor must live in the Bay Area or an immediately adjacent county.
JUDGING: Entries will be judged by professional journalism organizations or individuals outside the contest area. No San Francisco Press Club members will judge entries. The Awards Committee reserves the right to change the category in which entries are submitted and to refuse entries not meeting eligibility. In the case of an entry dispute, the decision of the committee will be final.
College journalism students must enter material for student-based media (such as student newspaper) in the appropriate student division. However, students with work in professional media may also enter professional categories and still pay the student rate.
DEADLINE: Entries must be received by no later than 9 p.m. PST on Oct.12, 2026. The deadline will NOT be extended this year.
AWARDS: First place awards, selected from a pool of three nominees, will be presented in person at the SFPC awards gala.
ENTRY FEES (per entry):
Professional Entrant, Member: $25 (Press Club members only)
Professional Entrant, Non-Member: $35
College Entrant: $10
Overall Excellence: $55
Below are directions for preparing and submitting entries.
CATEGORIES
OVERALL EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Overall Excellence – Print or Digital/Large Newsroom
Who should enter: Newspapers, digital news organizations, magazines, trade publications, newsletters, and independent digital journalists.
Recognizes overall excellence by a print or digital newsroom with greater than 15 full-time paid staff. Submit three complete print editions or digital packages published during the contest period.
Overall Excellence – Print or Digital/Small Newsroom
Who should enter: Newspapers, digital news organizations, magazines, trade publications, newsletters, and independent digital journalists.
Recognizes overall excellence by a print or digital newsroom with 15 or fewer full-time paid staff. Submit three complete print editions or digital packages published during the contest period.
Overall Excellence – Broadcast
Who should enter: Television stations, streaming news organizations, video journalists, multimedia reporters, and documentary journalists.
Recognizes overall excellence by a broadcast newsroom. Submit three complete newscasts, programs, or video packages.
Overall Excellence – Radio
Who should enter: Radio stations, podcast organizations, public radio, independent podcasters, and audio journalists.
Recognizes overall excellence by a radio station or audio newsroom. Submit three complete newscasts, programs, or audio packages.
Overall Excellence – College
Who should enter: College student journalists and college student-run newspapers, digital publications, radio stations, television stations, podcasts, and multimedia newsrooms.
Recognizes overall excellence by a college student newsroom.
PRINT & DIGITAL JOURNALISM
Who should enter: Newspapers, digital news organizations, magazines, trade publications, newsletters, and independent print and digital journalists.
**Blog / Commentary / Columns – Large Newsroom
Recognizes excellence in opinion writing, blogs, editorials, or recurring columns. Submit up to three examples.
**Blog / Commentary / Columns – Small Newsroom
Recognizes excellence in opinion writing, blogs, editorials, or recurring columns. Submit up to three examples.
Breaking News
Recognizes outstanding coverage of a breaking news event under deadline pressure. Entries may include a brief description (one paragraph maximum) explaining deadlines and coordination of coverage.
**Business/Technology Reporting – Large Newsroom
Recognizes excellence in reporting on business, technology, labor, finance, or innovation.
**Business/Technology Reporting – Small Newsroom
Recognizes excellence in reporting on business, technology, labor, finance, or innovation.
Crime Reporting
Recognizes excellence in reporting on crime, public safety, courts, or criminal justice.
Entertainment Reporting
Recognizes excellence in reporting, criticism, or coverage of arts, culture, entertainment, or media.
**Environment/Nature Reporting – Large Newsroom
Recognizes excellence in reporting on climate, science, conservation, sustainability, or the natural world.
**Environment/Nature Reporting – Small Newsroom
Recognizes excellence in reporting on climate, science, conservation, sustainability, or the natural world.
**Feature Story – Light Subject – Large Newsroom
Recognizes excellence in feature writing on a lighter or human-interest topic.
**Feature Story – Light Subject – Small Newsroom
Recognizes excellence in feature writing on a lighter or human-interest topic.
**Feature Story – Serious Subject – Large Newsroom
Recognizes outstanding feature writing on a serious topic. Entries should demonstrate compelling storytelling and meaningful public impact.
**Feature Story – Serious Subject – Small Newsroom Recognizes outstanding feature writing on a serious topic. Entries should demonstrate compelling storytelling and meaningful public impact.
General News Story
Recognizes excellence in non-breaking news reporting. Entries should demonstrate accuracy, clarity, strong reporting, and effective storytelling.
**Investigative Reporting – Large Newsroom
Recognizes reporting that uncovers previously unknown information through original reporting, initiative, and depth of research. Individual or team entries accepted.
**Investigative Reporting – Small Newsroom
Recognizes reporting that uncovers previously unknown information through original reporting, initiative, and depth of research. Individual or team entries accepted.
**Politics/Government Reporting – Large Newsroom
Recognizes excellence in reporting on government, elections, public policy, or civic affairs.
**Politics/Government Reporting – Small Newsroom
Recognizes excellence in reporting on government, elections, public policy, or civic affairs.
**Profile – Large Newsroom
Recognizes an outstanding profile of an individual.
**Profile – Small Newsroom
Recognizes an outstanding profile of an individual.
Recognizes sustained reporting on a single topic or issue. Submit up to three related stories.
Sports Coverage
Recognizes excellence in sports reporting, including game coverage, enterprise reporting, features, or investigative work.
Headline
Recognizes exceptional headline writing. Submit one headline.
Illustration / Cartoon
Recognizes excellence in editorial illustration or cartooning.
**Photography – Feature – Large Newsroom
Recognizes excellence in feature photography.
**Photography – Feature – Small Newsroom
Recognizes excellence in feature photography.
**Photography – News – Large Newsroom
Recognizes excellence in news photography.
**Photography – News – Small Newsroom
Recognizes excellence in news photography.
**Photography – Sports – Large Newsroom
Recognizes excellence in sports photography.
**Photography – Sports – Small Newsroom
Recognizes excellence in sports photography.
Publication Design
Recognizes excellence in publication design, including front pages, feature layouts, covers, or overall visual presentation.
BROADCAST JOURNALISM
Who should enter: Television stations, streaming news organizations, video journalists, multimedia reporters, and documentary journalists.
Breaking News
Recognizes an individual’s outstanding broadcast coverage of a breaking news event. Entries should demonstrate strong reporting under deadline pressure.
Business/Technology Reporting
Recognizes excellence in business or technology reporting.
Crime Reporting
Recognizes excellence in crime or public safety reporting.
Entertainment Reporting
Recognizes excellence in arts, entertainment, or culture reporting.
Environment/Nature Reporting
Recognizes excellence in environmental or science reporting.
Feature Reporting
Recognizes excellence in journalism, including news packages, enterprise or feature storytelling.
Investigative Reporting
Recognizes outstanding investigative journalism produced for broadcast or streaming platforms.
Live Team Coverage
Recognizes excellence in live team reporting from the scene of breaking news or major events.
Politics/Government Reporting
Recognizes excellence in political or government reporting.
Series or Continuing Coverage
Recognizes sustained broadcast coverage of a single topic or issue.
Sports Coverage
Recognizes excellence in sports reporting or storytelling.
Anchor – News
Recognizes excellence in news anchoring.
Anchor – Sports
Recognizes excellence in sports anchoring.
News Planning / Coordination
Recognizes assignment editors, planning teams, or news desks responsible for coordinating exceptional news coverage.
Producer
Recognizes excellence in editorial leadership, storytelling, and execution of a broadcast.
Video Editing
Recognizes excellence in video editing and visual storytelling.
Weather
Recognizes excellence in weather reporting and presentation.
Who should enter: Radio stations, podcast organizations, public radio, independent podcasters, and audio journalists.
Breaking News
Recognizes excellence in live or produced breaking news coverage.
Business/Technology Reporting
Recognizes excellence in business or technology reporting.
Commentary
Recognizes excellence in opinion or commentary programming.
Crime Reporting
Recognizes excellence in crime or public safety reporting.
Entertainment Reporting
Recognizes excellence in arts, entertainment, or culture reporting.
Environment/Nature Reporting
Recognizes excellence in environmental or science reporting.
Feature Reporting
Recognizes excellence in feature audio storytelling.
General News Story
Recognizes excellence in audio news reporting.
Investigative Reporting
Recognizes excellence in investigative audio journalism.
Podcast
Recognizes excellence in podcast journalism or storytelling. Submit one episode.
Politics/Government
Recognizes excellence in political or government reporting.
Series or Continuing Coverage
Recognizes sustained audio reporting on a single issue.
Sports Coverage
Recognizes excellence in sports reporting or storytelling.
Who should enter: Student journalists and student-run newspapers, digital publications, radio stations, television stations, podcasts, and multimedia newsrooms.
College Breaking News
Recognizes excellence in breaking news coverage by student journalists.
College Investigative Reporting
Recognizes excellence in investigative reporting by student journalists.
College Multimedia / Broadcast Reporting
Recognizes excellence in student video, audio, or multimedia storytelling.
College News Feature
Recognizes excellence in feature reporting by student journalists.
College Photography
Recognizes excellence in student photojournalism.
College Reporting Excellence
Recognizes excellence in student journalism across any beat or platform.
Best of Social Media
Recognizes innovative use of social media to inform, engage, and serve audiences through journalism.
Emerging Journalist Award
Recognizes an early-career journalist (five or fewer years of professional experience) who has demonstrated exceptional promise, initiative, and impact.
HOW TO SUBMIT
PLEASE NOTE: The contest entry portal will open at noon PST on Sept. 15, 2026
Deadline for entries is 9PM PST on October 12, 2026
IMPORTANT: Please make sure to use a recent version of Google Chrome for making contest entries.
ALL contestants and media organizations must submit entries as “OPEN CALL” contestants.
NOTE: If you have an Open Call Contestant account from previous years, use that account again with your password.
If you are handling the entries for your company, you will create an Open Call account in your own name and be able to make the entries for your company entrants. Each entry will be customized according to the medium – Video, Audio, Writing, etc.
If you need an Open Call account, here’s how:
Create your account: Go to www.BetterNewspaperContest.com.
Click Open Call Login, and click Create your Open Call Account. Fill in all info. You will see a message that a verification link has been sent to your email.
Present your credentials.
Once you receive the verification link message, click on the link, or copy into your browser. Complete the credentials portion. This step protects the entry process. Once you see the “Credentials Updated” message, click on Available Contests. Select the “2026 Greater Bay Area Journalism Awards.
PREPARING ENTRIES
• On the Manage Entries page, click Submit Entry
• Select the “General” Division first. The system will then allow you to select the “Group Division” for each entry (i.e. PRINT & DIGITAL JOURNALISM, BROADCAST JOURNALISM, etc.).
• Select the name of the appropriate media outlet from the dropdown. If your publication, website or station is not on the list, you have the option to add it.
• Select the appropriate Category.
• Read the corresponding Category Note (directly below the Category selection box), describing what is expected for the category’s entry content. Complete the Headline/Title field.
• Based on the type of entry, add content:
• To add URL links to content, copy and paste the content’s web address into the provided Web URL field.
• To upload digital file attachments (other than audio/video), click Choose File, navigate to the desired file, select Open, and click Upload. Allowed file types are PDF, DOC, TXT, JPG, GIF, and PNG. If more than one attachment is desired for this entry, repeat these steps.
• For Audio or Video: To host your content online, either upload it to a free streaming content website (e.g. YouTube) or talk to your IT person about adding it to your station’s website. Make sure the content will be accessible online throughout the contest and awards judging process.
• Add Credits for those responsible for the entry content. Be sure to add your own name here, if applicable.
• Add Comments (if applicable) but keep them brief (e.g. 100 words).
• Click Submit.
IMPORTANT: Please ensure that items are not behind a paywall or a password-protected area. If they are, you must provide username/password info in the Comments section of your entry. Judges may disqualify your entry if work samples are inaccessible.
This is your account — you can come back to it at any time during the call for entries time period — until the deadline date.
Once you have completed all your entries, click on Entry Fee Calculator and check to be sure all your entries are included.
Click on the button to go to the payment page to pay online. Type the total amount due on the page and complete payment.
If you have any questions, call or email the awards administrator,
Zahid Arab 480-628-5066, zarab@uber.com