Apply to be a screener for the 2018 OJAs!

Members of The Guardian US Mobile Innovation Lab pose after accepting the 2017 Gannett Foundation Award for Technical Innovation in the Service of Digital Journalism. (Photo by Alicia Abelson, ONA17 Student Newsroom)

Screening applications are now closed. Thanks to all who applied and those who participated!

Do you want to be part of what makes the Online Journalism Awards such a unique and highly esteemed honor? The review process starts with the community’s input and the collective expertise of journalists, academics and media professionals from around the world. We’re looking for volunteer screeners to lend their expertise to that process — applications are now open!

Each year we select a diverse set of 150 volunteers to kickstart the review process and pass on their collective recommendations to the OJA jury, who then select the finalists and winners. The screeners are professionals from all aspects of the industry — from reporters, editors and designers to product managers and data journalists. In 2017, they reviewed more than 1,100 entries from journalists and news teams representing 32 countries.

The Job

• Reviewing approximately 20-25 entries.
• Provide comments and scores to entries based on the guidelines we provide.

The Requirements

• Must have a passion for digital journalism
• Must be able to commit 10-15 hours to review entries June 18-July 6.

The Perks

• An opportunity to review some of the best digital journalism work in the world.
• A meaningful volunteer experience.

If you’re interested in participating, please apply by June 15. To reflect the full breadth of the industry, we encourage those working for local news organizations as well as U.S. national and non-U.S. based groups to participate. Screeners will be assigned entries the week of June 18 and have approximately three weeks to review their assignments.