By Jon Godel, BJTC Chief Executive
The media landscape doesn’t just sit still, and neither can the way we train and celebrate the next generation of journalists. At the BJTC, our mission has always been to bridge the gap between teaching skills and delivering them in the newsroom. But today, that “newsroom” looks radically different than it did even five years ago.
That’s why I am incredibly excited to unveil a major overhaul of the BJTC Student Journalism Awards for 2026.
We’ve moved beyond a simple “refresh.” This is a radical restructure designed to mirror an industry that has shifted its axis away from traditional linear broadcast towards a truly multiplatform, social-first reality.
Reflecting How the World Consumes News
We know that for Gen Z and Millennial audiences, TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts aren’t just “extra” content; they are the news. To reflect this, our new Best Social Video Award recognises excellence in vertical and short-form storytelling. We aren’t just looking for “viral” moments; we are looking for high-quality journalism produced specifically for the platforms where audiences actually live.
Similarly, our move to consolidate TV, radio, and online newsdays into a single Best Multiplatform Newsday Award is a direct response to modern workflows. In a contemporary newsroom, a journalist doesn’t just file for one medium; they think across platforms simultaneously. This award honours that agility and the collaborative spirit of a modern news operation.
New Categories for a New Era
I’m particularly proud of two new categories that signal where our industry is heading:
- Best Live Report: Authenticity is a journalist’s greatest asset. Whether it’s for a traditional broadcaster or a social media stream, the ability to report accurately as an event unfolds is a skill we want to highlight..
- Best Representation Award: We want to champion journalism that gives a voice to underrepresented communities. It is vital that our students learn to tell stories that reflect the full diversity of the world around them.
- The Good News Award: Focused on solutions-based journalism or compelling human interest stories, this category recognises that audiences are increasingly seeking constructive, impactful reporting that goes beyond the headlines of crisis.
Why These Awards Matter
You might ask why we put so much energy into these awards. For the 2,000 students currently on our 40+ accredited courses, these awards are a career-defining platform. They offer a chance to have work judged by the very best in the business from our partners at the BBC, Sky News, ITV, ITN, Global, Bauer, Associated Press, Reuters.
For the BJTC, these awards are our way of championing the brilliant work being produced across the UK. Every year, the standard of entries reminds us why we do what we do. Our students aren’t just “learning” to be journalists; they are already out there, breaking stories and innovating with new formats.
The ultimate accolade, the Steve Harris Award for Excellence in Journalism, will once again be awarded to the strongest overall winner across all categories, carrying a £500 cash prize.
Enter Today
The 2026 awards are designed to be more inclusive, more contemporary, and more representative of the incredible talent emerging from our courses. They reflect what a BJTC education is all about: being industry-ready, tech-savvy, and editorially sharp.
The awards are now open for entries. I cannot wait to see the stories.
Closing Date: 7th October 2026
- Enter at: bjtc.org.uk/awards
- Questions? Contact Helen Hurd at sec@bjtc.org.uk
Let’s celebrate the future of journalism together.
