WAN-IFRA Digital Media Awards unify process for 2026 CPJ gala honors five journalists and sets fundraising record Malaysia PM urges fair pay for journalists amid low wages Kashmir Times raid draws concern over media pressure Tunisian journalists protest rising media restrictions Samoa PM bars Samoa Observer in escalating media dispute Asia sees rising press freedom risks amid China-style controls Thai indictment of journalist sparks cross-border press freedom concerns Thai court indicts Australian journalist over defamation New study shows alarming decline in press freedom in Pakistan WAN-IFRA Digital Media Awards unify process for 2026 CPJ gala honors five journalists and sets fundraising record Malaysia PM urges fair pay for journalists amid low wages Kashmir Times raid draws concern over media pressure Tunisian journalists protest rising media restrictions Samoa PM bars Samoa Observer in escalating media dispute Asia sees rising press freedom risks amid China-style controls Thai indictment of journalist sparks cross-border press freedom concerns Thai court indicts Australian journalist over defamation New study shows alarming decline in press freedom in Pakistan
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WAN-IFRA Digital Media Awards unify process for 2026

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 1 hour ago |  JP Global Monitoring Desk

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WAN-IFRA Digital Media Awards unify process for 2026
WAN-IFRA’s 2026 Digital Media Awards introduce a unified global entry system, fairer judging, and synchronized timelines to highlight the most innovative digital journalism worldwide.

SINGAPORE — The global benchmark for recognizing excellence in digital journalism is set to become even more unified with the latest update to WAN-IFRA’s Digital Media Awards. Long regarded as the most prestigious competition in digital publishing, the awards honor media organizations and publishers behind outstanding digital projects, products, and strategies.

A streamlined and unified process has now been introduced to simplify participation and ensure consistency across global markets.

New structure for 2026

For the first time, all entries will be submitted through a single global platform and follow one unified timeline across every region, including APAC, South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Entrants will submit their work once, and the same submission will be evaluated regionally before top entries advance to the global stage. This approach aims to create a fairer system that highlights impactful digital initiatives irrespective of market size or geography.

Announcements and timelines

Regional finalists will be named between March 13 and 23, 2026, followed by the announcement of global finalists on May 4, 2026. Regional winners will be revealed at WAN-IFRA’s Digital Media regional events, while the global winners will be honored on June 2 during the Awards & Gala Night at the World News Media Congress 2026.

The call for entries closes on December 31, 2025.

KEY POINTS:

  • WAN-IFRA launches a unified global platform for its 2026 Digital Media Awards
  • One submission will now compete regionally before advancing to global judging
  • The new system streamlines fairness and simplifies participation
  • Finalists will be announced in March and May 2026
  • Global winners will be revealed at the World News Media Congress on June 2, 2026

For more information, click here

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