American Journalism Online Awards

Celebrating the new ways journalists connect with the public

The AJO Awards recognize excellence in reporting, writing and news production across genres. As the media landscape evolves, we want to celebrate great journalism no matter what form it takes — whether a long-form narrative published on a website, a podcast, a newsletter, a Twitter thread, or a TikTok video.

Our goal is to shine light on journalists and publications that live outside the mainstream and don’t fit into the categories honored by many long-standing media awards.

View 2023 Winners

 
Cartoon: On Background. Mr. Peanut with a journalist saying: "I can tell you a secret about peanut allergies but keep my name out of the story. It could destroy my career" - signed Bob Eckstein

Credit: Bob Eckstein

Nomination Process

Reporters, producers, editors and the public are invited to nominate their favorite outlets and works of journalism published between January 1, 2022 and Dec 31, 2022. You can nominate anyone — even a colleague or yourself. To nominate a work, click on the category below and complete the form. Be sure to include the name of the journalist or journalists who authored the work, the publication, a link and why you think the work or outlet deserves recognition. You can submit as many nominations as you want. Nominations must be received by March 15, 2023.

Nominations Are Currently Closed.

 

Categories

Best News-Based Podcast

Nominations can be for either a single episode or multi-episode arc

Best Solo Newsletter

A news-based newsletter produced by a single reporter

Best Non-Profit News Organization

Nominees must have at least two employees involved in newsgathering and have been publishing for at least two years

Best Non-Traditional News Organization

This category honors newsgathering outside the confines of a multi-subject newspaper

Best News-Based Twitter Thread

Nominations must be for threads of at least three tweets on a single subject

Best TikTok Explainer

A video disseminated on TikTok with the purpose of explaining something in the news

Best Debunking of Fake News

A work on any medium whose express purpose is to fact-check a false statement or story

Best Data Visualization

Creative and clear use of design to illustrate data

Best Use of Public Records

Creativity in using publicly available records

Feature Most Likely to Inspire Future Journalists

Nominated work should show the power and reach of journalism

Best Media Criticism

For work that provides a novel perspective on today’s media


View Past Winners

2022

From a detailed quiz helping New Yorkers match themselves to a mayoral candidate, to a Twitter thread about missing and murdered indigenous people in Wyoming, to a series investigating gangs in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, we are proud to be bringing work that exists outside the mainstream into the spotlight.

Read More


2021

From Best Twitter Thread to Best News-Based Podcast to Best Debunking of Fake News, the AJO Awards celebrate the new ways journalists are connecting with the public, and shine a light on excellence in reporting, writing and news production across genres.

Read More

American Journalism Online Program at NYU

Launched in 2019, the American Journalism Online program is a 30-credit journalism master’s program housed at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at NYU. Its mission is to train journalists who want to change the world for the better. With an intensive curriculum and award-winning faculty, including some of the top journalists working today, AJO offers small classes, intensive feedback, a mentor program, and hands-on publishing experience.

For more information contact Julia Dahl: jed14@nyu.edu