
Honoring Impactful Journalism
Danish Siddiqui Journalism Award
The Danish Siddiqui Journalism Award honors journalists who embody integrity, courage, empathy, and truth. It celebrates those who push boundaries and tackle challenges to deliver impactful reporting that informs, educates, and inspires change. By recognizing these storytellers, we uphold Danish Siddiqui’s legacy of fearless journalism, inspiring and guiding future generations with his commitment to excellence.
Integrity
Uphold moral principles and adhere to the highest standards of journalistic ethics in reporting.
Courage
Demonstrate moral, ethical, or physical courage and determination in the face of intimidation.
Empathy
Maintain the highest journalism standards with compassion and sensitivity.
Truth
Report the truth objectively, accurately, and impartially, free from bias.

Chief Guest
Dr. S.Y. Quraishi
Dr. S.Y. Quraishi is a renowned former Chief Election Commissioner of India and a distinguished public servant with a career spanning over four decades in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). As the 17th Chief Election Commissioner, Dr. Quraishi led the Election Commission during a transformative period, overseeing significant reforms that advanced the transparency, fairness, and inclusivity of India’s electoral processes. His leadership was pivotal in strengthening voter education, expanding electoral participation, and enhancing the role of technology in elections.
The Jury
Distinguished Leaders in Journalism
Award Categories
Impactful Journalism Across
Broadcast
Celebrates excellence in broadcast journalism, recognizing compelling reports and broadcasts that engage audiences and shape public understanding of important events and issues.
Photojournalism
Recognizes powerful visual storytelling, celebrating those whose images capture pivotal moments and convey impactful stories through compelling news or feature photography.
Honors outstanding investigative, feature, or editorial writing that informs, inspires, and challenges public opinion, shaping impactful narratives through the power of print.
Digital
Honors innovative digital storytelling, recognizing those who engage audiences through interactive reports or immersive video content, pushing the boundaries of digital media.
The Winners
Celebrating Stories That Matter
Things you should know
Submission Guidelines
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Eligibility Criteria
- Open to Journalists: The Award is open to professional journalists, photojournalists, and video journalists working in print, photojournalism, digital, and broadcast.
- Geographical Scope: Submissions are accepted from journalists working in India, including foreign correspondents.
- Work Published Date: Eligible works must have been published, broadcast, or posted between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024.
- Original Work: All submitted works must be original and created by the entrant(s). Works plagiarized or found to be significantly derivative will be disqualified.
- Number of Entries: Each journalist can submit a maximum of two entries across all categories.
Submission Format
- Print Journalism:
- To be submitted in a PDF format.
- If URL is available that can be provided also.
- Photojournalism:
- Submit up to 5 high-resolution images (JPEG format, minimum 300 DPI).
- Each image must be captioned with a description, date, and location.
- Include a brief narrative (up to 300 words) explaining the context of the photos.
- Video Journalism:
- Submit a URL link to the video hosted on a public platform or via a secure download link.
- A brief synopsis (up to 300 words) must accompany the video entry.
- Digital Storytelling
- Include URLs for multimedia pieces published online, such as interactive graphics, web documentaries, or podcasts.
- Provide a brief overview (up to 300 words)
Submission Process
- Complete the Online Submission Form: All entries must be submitted through the official Danish Siddiqui Journalism Award website. Fill out the submission form with the required details, including personal information, a brief biography, and a high-resolution profile photo.
- Attach Required Files and Links: Upload or provide links to the work being submitted as per the format guidelines mentioned above.
- Include Supporting Documents
- A brief statement (up to 250 words) describing the motivation behind the work and its impact.
- Self-declaration that the work was produced by the entrant(s) and that all ethical standards were upheld.
- Submit by Deadline: Submit as per deadline. Late entries will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Evaluation Criteria
Entries will be judged based on the following criteria:
- Relevance and Impact: We are looking for work that contributes significantly to public understanding of important issues. Entries should highlight stories that have the potential to drive awareness, inspire action, or bring about meaningful change.
- Originality and Innovation We value creative storytelling approaches. Whether it’s through a fresh perspective, unique angles, or innovative use of media, entries should showcase originality in reporting and presentation.
- Research and Depth: Submissions must demonstrate thorough investigation and in-depth analysis. We expect entries to be well-researched, providing context and insight into the subject matter.
- Ethical Standards: Adherence to the highest standards of journalistic ethics is critical. We seek work that is fair, objective, and respects journalistic integrity while covering sensitive or controversial topics.
- Presentation: The overall presentation of the work is key. We are looking for submissions that are clear, cohesive, and effectively communicate the story to their audience, whether through writing, visual elements, or multimedia formats.
Important Points
- Verification of Information: The Foundation reserves the right to verify the authenticity of the submitted works and supporting documents.
- Publication Rights: The Foundation reserves the right to use the submitted materials for promotional purposes, with due credit given to the authors.
- Disclosure: Entries from previous winners in the same category within the last three years are not eligible. Furthermore, if the work has been recognized in other significant awards, it may require disclosure during the submission process.
- Withdrawal: Entries can be withdrawn any time before the submission deadline by sending a mail to the Foundation. No withdrawals will be accepted after the deadline.
Selection Process
Submission Review
Review entries after submission to ensure they meet the prescribed eligibility and category requirements
Initial Screening
Experts shortlists entries based on significance, originality, and ethical standards.
Jury Evaluation
Award Jury evaluates shortlisted entries for impact, storytelling, and reporting difficulty.
Winner Selection
Selects winners through a consensus-driven process, and announces the results at the awards ceremony