Call for Entries • 2025

AMEJA Announces 2025 Awards

Celebrating excellence in Arab & Middle Eastern journalism. Submissions are now open—recognizing courage, creativity, and work that deepens understanding of our communities.

In a year marked by unprecedented challenges, the AMEJA Awards offer recognition, solidarity, and a financial boost for journalists who carry so much yet still produce best-in-class reporting.

These awards celebrate exceptional courage, creativity, and commitment in journalism that deepens understanding of Arab, Middle Eastern, North African, and West Asian communities. At a time when press freedom is under threat worldwide, these awards highlight the stories that matter most to our community and the journalists behind them.

While each category welcomes a broad range of submissions, we are especially committed to uplifting work that brings nuance, accuracy, and humanity to coverage of these communities, particularly in North America.

Submit Your Work

Award Categories

Best Investigative Reporting

$1,000

For deeply reported investigations in print or digital formats. Honors rigorous, evidence-based journalism that uncovers hidden truths, challenges narratives, or exposes systemic injustices.

Excellence in Opinion & Analysis

$1,000

For commentary, essays, or explainers that shift understanding. Demonstrates unique insight, compelling argumentation, and a voice that elevates nuanced perspectives.

Best Culture & Lifestyle Reporting

$1,000

Captures the richness of culture, identity, and daily life. Celebrates nuanced stories on food, arts, fashion, family, and more that reflect the vibrancy of MENA communities.

Best Visual Journalism

$1,000

Recognizes photo essays, documentaries, or visual investigations. Strong storytelling through visual mediums with creativity, emotional depth, and technical excellence.

Best Audio Journalism

$1,000

For compelling podcasts, radio stories, and sound-driven features. Judges will value clear production quality, originality, and emotional resonance.

Emerging Voices Award

$1,000

For young journalists (aged 30 and under) making a bold impact. Recognizes ambitious reporting that shows exceptional promise.

Walid El-Gabry Memorial Award (Members only)

$1,000

Honors AMEJA’s co-founder and recognizes a standout member. Decided by a vote of AMEJA members, it celebrates bold, mission-driven journalism that represents our community’s values.

Eligibility

Work must have been published or aired between January 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025.
Must be originally published or aired in English.
Entry fee is $15 for AMEJA members, $55 for non-members (includes a one-year AMEJA membership, pending approval).
Individuals may submit up to five related pieces as a single entry (e.g. a series or body of work), but only one entry per category (if eligible). Each submission requires its own fee and application. Judges will evaluate such entries collectively. We encourage applicants to be selective and include only their strongest work.
The same piece of work may be entered in multiple categories. Each submission requires its own fee and application.
News organizations or other institutional sponsors may submit up to three entries per category, with separate applications and fees for each.
Audio and video entries should include transcripts if possible.
Paywalled entries must include bypass URLs or uploaded files for jurors.

Timeline

Call for Entries Opens: September 1
Submission Deadline: September 30
Finalists Announced: November 3
Awards Ceremony: Mid-November

Submit Your Work

We look forward to receiving your submissions. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing board@ameja.org

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