DSJA LOGO

2026 Edition

Honoring Impactful Journalism

The Danish Siddiqui Journalism Award honors journalists who embody integrity, courage, empathy, and truth. It celebrates reporting that pushes boundaries, confronts difficult realities, and delivers impactful storytelling that informs, educates, and inspires change.

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.

Nominations Open

Last Date 15 Feb 2026

The Jury

Distinguished Leaders in Journalism

Veteran Journalist, Writer & Critic
Independent
Founding Editor
The Wire
Diplomatic Affairs Editor
The Hindu
Sr. Investigative Journalist & Author
Confluence Media
Director
AJK MCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia
Former Founding Editor
The Lallantop

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.

Print

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.

Things you should know

Submission Guidelines

?

  • 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 2025 and 31 December 2025.
  • 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.
  • 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)
  • 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.

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.

The Danish Siddiqui Journalism Award follows a strict conflict-of-interest policy to ensure fairness and independence. Jury members are not permitted to recommend or nominate entries. Only submissions received through the official application process are considered. In the event of any overlap between a jury member and an applicant organization, the concerned jury member is recused from evaluating that entry and no details of such submissions are shared with them.

All entries are assessed against clearly defined criteria through a multi-stage evaluation process involving multiple reviewers.

These safeguards are integral to maintaining the credibility and integrity of the Award.

  • 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

2025 Winners

Celebrating Stories That Matter