Philly News Awards
The Philly News Awards are an annual recognition of journalistic excellence in Philadelphia. The awards will be presented during a ceremony on April 10, 2026, at the Pen & Pencil Club. Submissions will be evaluated by judges selected by the P&P Foundation Board of Directors.
To apply, submit your work from 2025 — or the work of a journalist you are nominating — to ThePandPFoundation@gmail.com by Feb. 15, 2026. Applicants can include a written statement, but it is not required. All media are welcome, including newspaper, online, TV, radio, and podcasts. Submissions can be published in any outlet, but the work must pertain to Philadelphia.
Categories
Beat Reporter of the Year
Developing sources, penetrating opaque institutions, and breaking news are the bedrocks of reporting. This award will highlight a journalist who demonstrated mastery over their beat. Entrants should submit a portfolio of no more than five pieces.
Investigative Reporter of the Year
If the purpose of journalism is to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted, investigative reporting is often the best tool for achieving that goal. Entrants can submit either a portfolio of no more than five pieces or all works included in a single project.
Sports Journalist of the Year
Philly is a sports town, and this category recognizes the journalist who helps the best fans in America understand what’s really happening with the teams they love. Entrants should submit a portfolio of no more than five pieces.
Visual Journalist of the Year
A photograph or video can convey as much information as any article, and sometimes more. This category will recognize the visual journalist who best captures important moments in the life of the city. Entrants should submit a portfolio of no more than five pieces.
Audio Journalist of the Year
Philadelphia is home to a thriving community of audio journalists working for local and national outlets. This award will recognize the radio reporter, podcast host or producer, or other audio journalist who used their medium to make a difference and highlight voices in Philadelphia. Entrants should submit a portfolio of no more than five pieces.
Philly News Awards judges
Chris Brennan is a columnist for USA Today and previously worked for the Philadelphia Daily News and The Philadelphia Inquirer. A Philadelphia native, he graduated from Temple University.
Melissa Lyttle is a Philadelphia-based freelance photojournalist. She previously worked as a staff photographer at Florida newspapers for 15 years. A past president of the National Press Photographers Association, she has reported on five continents, covering conflicts, politics, institutions, and the people who shape them.
Nina Feldman is a producer at The Daily podcast from The New York Times. Previously, she was a health reporter for WHYY, where she covered the coronavirus pandemic and the opioid epidemic.