SPJ Oregon is now accepting nominations for our 2023 Rookie of the Year award!

SPJ Oregon is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Rookie of the Year.

This award is open to those who completed their first year as a professional reporter in 2023. If you have a talented new journalist in your newsroom, send the board an email with three to 10 work samples and one to three letters of recommendation.

To qualify for the award, the rookie must have worked a full time position (not interns or students) for the majority of the calendar year they are being nominated for. 

An eligible Rookie of the Year will reside either in or work for a media organization within the Greater Oregon region (Oregon and Clark County, Washington). Freelance journalists are eligible for the award, as are paid employees of news media organizations.

Different media organizations (TV, radio, print and digital) have different needs and products. When selecting the Rookie of the Year, the board considers the applicants’ demonstrated reporting and writing skills, creativity, news judgment, ability to work independently and as part of a team and skillful use of sources including public records.

The award comes with a $500 award.