Dateline Awards

Each year the D.C. Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists honors excellence in journalism. The Washington, D.C., Chapter’s Dateline Awards recognizes print, digital and broadcast journalists in the greater D.C. metropolitan area, including Northern Virginia and Maryland.

Journalists can submit their work in seven divisions:

  • Daily Newspapers
  • Weekly Newspapers
  • Magazines
  • Television
  • Radio
  • Newsletters/Trade Publications
  • Online Publications 

Within each division there are more than 18 categories, from breaking news to features, commentary, photography and design.

The Correspondent Award is given each year for distinguished coverage of the Washington area published or broadcast outside the Washington, D.C., area. 

A special award – the Robert D.G. Lewis Watchdog Award – is presented to a journalist or group in any award classification whose entry best exemplifies journalism aimed at protecting the public from abuses by those who would betray the public trust. There is a cash prize for this award.

Entries are judged by a sister chapter.

All winners are announced at the chapter’s annual Dateline Awards and Hall of Fame dinner held each June at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C..

For details on how to enter the Dateline Awards, as well as information on guidelines, divisions and categories, visit Dateline Awards 2024. Information on previous years’ awards and winners is at Dateline Awards.