Green Eyeshade Awards Celebrate 75 Years with Expanded Reach & Revamped Categories
The nation’s largest and oldest regional journalism contest, the Green Eyeshade Awards, is officially open for its 75th year, marking a major milestone in recognizing the best journalism across the Southeastern United States.
This year, the contest not only expands to include Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands but also revamps its categories to reflect the evolving media landscape. Among the most significant updates is a renewed focus on public service journalism, ensuring that impactful reporting—across all platforms—is recognized for its ability to inform, raise awareness, and hold institutions accountable.
Spotlight on Public Service Journalism
For the first time, every division now features a Public Service category, highlighting work that goes beyond reporting to create meaningful change in communities. These categories honor journalism that leads to policy shifts, increased public awareness, or tangible improvements in people's lives.
- Public Service in Written Journalism – Recognizes written journalism that sheds light on critical issues and advocates for change.
- Public Service in Video/Television Journalism – Honors video projects that raise awareness, hold institutions accountable or amplify underrepresented voices.
- Public Service in Audio/Radio Journalism – Celebrates impactful storytelling through podcasts, radio, and other audio formats.
- Public Service in Digital Journalism – Recognizes digital projects that provide a significant public benefit through data, interactivity, or multimedia storytelling.
- Public Service in Visual Journalism – Highlights photography, graphics, and visual storytelling that bring attention to pressing social issues.
- Public Service in Student Journalism – Honors student journalists whose reporting has made a meaningful difference on their campus or community.
A Contest That Invests in Journalists
Since 1950, the Green Eyeshade Awards—hosted by Region 3 and Region 12 of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)—have honored exceptional journalism while ensuring that every dollar after expenses is reinvested into training and programs for journalists. The contest is run entirely by volunteers, including professional judges nationwide.
Expanded Reach and Affordable Entry Fees
For the first time, journalists from Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are eligible to compete, joining the previous states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
Entry fees remain unchanged for over a decade:
Standard Entry Deadline: Mon 14 April at midnight
SPJ Members: $40 per entry
Non-Members: $60 per entry
Students: $20 per entry
Late Entry Deadline: Mon 28 April at midnight
SPJ Members: $60 per entry
Non-Members: $80 per entry
Students: $40 per entry
Enter Today
For more information on categories, eligibility, and how to submit, click here.
