Bart Richards Award for Media Criticism

The Bart Richards Award for Media Criticism is administered by the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State University. Established in 1994 and first announced at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., the award was created to recognize distinguished contributions to the improvement of print and broadcast journalism through responsible analysis or critical evaluation. It is one of the few awards in the United States dedicated specifically to evaluating the performance of the media and the work done by publishers, editors, and reporters. The award honors work that critically examines news media coverage of significant subjects or issues. It is open to various formats of media criticism, including articles, books, electronic and online reports, academic and other research, and reports from media ombudsmen and journalism watchdog groups. The goal is to promote high-quality, responsible journalism by recognizing constructive, fact-based media critique that addresses important topics in the public interest. Eligibility extends to both individuals and organizations in the United States, including newspapers, periodicals, broadcast and cable stations, enterprises, and groups. Nominations can be made by anyone on behalf of an individual or organization. Eligible submissions include work done in a single calendar year or cumulative work, with the latter requiring representative samples. The judging panel is composed of professionals from journalism and journalism education, ensuring informed and fair evaluation of each entry. The submission process does not involve formal application forms. Each entry must include a letter describing the nature and results of the work, along with the published or aired material and any necessary documentation. Links to online work are acceptable. For cumulative entries, nominees should submit only representative examples. Larger submissions such as books or magazines can be mailed or delivered physically. The winner of the Bart Richards Award for Media Criticism receives a $2,500 honorarium and is expected to attend the award ceremony, which in 2025 will be conducted in September on the Penn State campus for the first time. During the ceremony, the recipient will speak about the work for which they are being honored, providing an opportunity for public discussion of media performance and standards. For the 2026 award cycle, which recognizes work published in 2025, the submission deadline is January 31, 2026. Questions about the award can be directed to Steve Sampsell, Director of Strategic Communications, at the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications. He can be reached via email at steves@psu.edu or by phone at 814-865-3766. All submissions and correspondence should be addressed to the Bart Richards Award at 115 Carnegie Building, University Park, PA 16802.