Behind the Lens, Beyond the Fee: Barriers to Entry in the “Best of Photojournalism” Competition
Behind the Lens, Beyond the Fee: Barriers to Entry in the “Best of Photojournalism” Competition
Kyser Lough and Roberta Fiorito (Ph.D. student). Behind the Lens, Beyond the Fee: Barriers to Entry in the “Best of Photojournalism” Competition. Accepted to the Visual Communication division of the 2025 AEJMC conference, San Francisco
Abstract: This study investigates who enters the NPPA’s Best of Photojournalism contest and what that reveals about equity and access in journalism awards. Using four years of entrant data, it examines variables such as job role, media organization, and freelance status. Awards serve as markers of prestige and professionalization, yet barriers like cost, language, and institutional affiliation persist. By analyzing entry demographics, we explore how such contests shape and reflect the field of visual journalism.
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