Nomination Guide
Recognising good journalism, useful public communication and lasting service to Solomon Islands media.
Thank you for taking the time to read this guide. The MASI Media Awards 2026 are a chance to recognise the people, teams and organisations who inform, explain and serve communities across Solomon Islands. This guide explains who can nominate, how to put a nomination together, how entries are judged and what each of the 14 awards looks for.
You do not need a long application. A short, honest and well-supported nomination is all that is required, and nominations from every province are welcome.
1. How to Nominate
Who can nominate
Only current financial MASI members and serving MASI Board members may submit nominations. These are MASI Board awards and are not open to public nomination. Board members may nominate, but independent judges choose the recipients. The proposed People’s Choice award is decided by a separate public vote, explained under Category 10.
You may nominate yourself or someone else. The nominee’s consent or signature is not required.
Choosing a category
Choose the category that best fits the person, team or organisation. Each nominee must meet the criteria for that category. The overview table in Section 4 lists all 14 awards.
What to include in every nomination
- Your name, contact details and MASI membership or Board details.
- The nominee’s name and role.
- The award category.
- A short explanation of why the nominee deserves the award. About 300 words is enough.
Awards Nomination
Examples of work (competitive awards)
Please include one to three examples of work from the award period. A link, PDF, photograph, audio recording or video recording is acceptable. Give the publication or broadcast date and explain the nominee’s part in any team effort. One strong example can be enough. Please do not send confidential source details.
Outstanding Service to MASI and Its Members (Category 11)
Describe the nominee’s contribution during the two-year award period, who benefited and what changed. Provide supporting examples, and statements or contact details for two people who know the work. Formal reference letters are not required.
If you need help
If a recording, link or older record is difficult to obtain, please explain this and contact MASI for help. MASI may seek missing details before judging. Limited internet access or basic equipment should never prevent a deserving nomination.
2. Key Dates and Contact Details
| Nominations open | 9 November 2026 – 22nd November 2026 |
| Nominations close | 22nd November 2026, Time 4pm Solomon Islands time |
| Award period | Year Jan 2025 to Nov 2026 – a two-year period. All nominations must show work or active contribution during this period. |
| Form and submission address | coordinatormasi@gmail.com |
| For help | Call MASI Coordinator on: 7872277 or President: 7505120 |
3. Fair Judging
How entries are scored
Judges assess the quality, accuracy, fairness and value of the work, taking account of the resources and working conditions available. Radio, print, television and digital work are all welcome where relevant. Provincial reporters and small newsrooms are assessed fairly alongside larger organisations.
Each competitive category has four judging areas, worth 25 points each. An entry must score at least 75 out of 100 and meet professional ethical standards. The highest score, or a single nomination, does not automatically earn an award, and judges may withhold an award if the standard is not met. The public vote is separate and is not scored by the judging panel.
Awards Nomination
Independence and conflicts of interest
Judges must declare conflicts and take no part in judging nominees where they have a conflict. Sponsors, nominators and the Board must not direct the judges’ choices. Judges keep their scores and reasons, and MASI publishes a short explanation for each award.
Nominating in more than one category
The same person may be nominated in more than one relevant category. Please explain why the work fits each category; winning one award does not automatically qualify someone for another. Credit collaborators and submit only work the nominee helped produce.
Questions and feedback
Questions and respectful feedback are welcome. Please send concerns about eligibility, conflicts or the process to the awards contact within seven days of the results. MASI will arrange a review by someone without a conflict.
4. Award Categories
There are 12 competitive awards, one Outstanding Service to MASI and Its Members Award and one proposed People’s Choice award: 14 awards altogether. They will be presented in the order shown below, with Journalist of the Year presented last.
| No. | Award | Type | Who may be nominated |
| 1 | Emerging Journalist of the Year | Competitive | Journalist with up to five years’ regular experience |
| 2 | Provincial Reporter of the Year | Competitive | Journalist based in a province |
| 3 | Sports Reporter of the Year | Competitive | Journalist reporting on sport |
| 4 | Public Relations and Communications Professional of the Year | Competitive | Communications professional with a formal title |
| 5 | Excellence in Media Production and Innovation | Competitive | Individual, team or media organisation |
| 6 | Broadcast Journalist or Presenter of the Year | Competitive | Radio or television journalist or presenter |
| 7 | Environment and Climate Change Reporter of the Year | Competitive | Journalist covering environment or climate |
| 8 | Social Affairs Reporting Award | Competitive | Journalist covering social issues |
| 9 | Editor of the Year | Competitive | Editor with real editorial responsibility |
| 10 | People’s Choice Media Organisation of the Year (proposed) | Public vote | Chosen by public vote; no nominations |
| No. | Award | Type | Who may be nominated |
| 11 | Outstanding Service to MASI and Its Members | competitive/s ervice | Individual, team or organisation |
| 12 | Media Organisation of the Year | Competitive | Independent news organisation |
| 13 | Investigative Reporter of the Year | Competitive | Journalist |
| 14 | Journalist of the Year (presented last) | Competitive | Journalist |
Category 1: Emerging Journalist of the Year Award
Who qualifies
A journalist with up to five years of regular journalism experience in total, regardless of age. Employees, freelancers and stringers may qualify.
What to send
Reporting that shows promise, learning and growing professional skill. Please follow the simple nomination steps at the start of this guide.
What judges look for
Accuracy and fairness; reporting and initiative; storytelling and clarity; professional growth and public value.
Category 2: Provincial Reporter of the Year Award
Who qualifies
A journalist based in a province, including a media-company employee, stringer or correspondent who reports regularly from that province. Occasional reporting visits from Honiara do not qualify.
What to send
Examples showing reliable reporting on provincial life and issues. Please state where the nominee is based and their reporting role. Please follow the simple nomination steps at the start of this guide.
What judges look for
Accuracy and fairness; consistent local reporting and initiative; understanding of local issues and voices; public value and clear storytelling.
Category 3: Sports Reporter of the Year Award
Who qualifies
A journalist reporting on sport for Solomon Islands audiences, through any medium. A full-time sports position is not required.
Awards Nomination
What to send
Sports work that goes beyond scores to explain people, performance, opportunities or issues affecting sport. Please follow the simple nomination steps at the start of this guide.
What judges look for
Accuracy and sporting knowledge; original reporting and depth; clear storytelling; public value and fair representation.
Category 4: Public Relations and Communications Professional of the Year Award
Who qualifies
A person doing substantial public relations or communications work serving Solomon Islands audiences, in government, business, an NGO, a community organisation or another body. A formal communications job title is required.
What to send
Examples from their wider role: useful information, handling journalists’ enquiries, arranging access or interviews, listening to audiences, correcting errors and following through. Explain what the nominee personally did and the result. Please follow the simple nomination steps at the start of this guide.
What judges look for
Accurate and useful information; timely and helpful responses to journalists; clear and accessible communication with results; integrity, corrections and respect for editorial independence. The number of statements issued or the publicity gained is not enough.
Category 5: Excellence in Media Production and Innovation Award
Who qualifies
An individual, team or media organisation producing journalism or making a practical improvement to how it is produced or delivered. This includes radio producers, sound technicians, editors, camera operators, designers and digital staff.
What to send
A completed production or an improvement already in use. Explain each nominee’s contribution and how it helped the audience. New or expensive technology is not required. Please follow the simple nomination steps at the start of this guide.
What judges look for
Production quality and clarity; creativity or practical improvement; accuracy and responsible practice; audience value and accessibility.
Category 6: Broadcast Journalist or Presenter of the Year Award
Who qualifies
A radio or television journalist or presenter, including online audio or video, whose work informs the public. News, current affairs, public-interest interviews, documentaries and responsibly moderated talkback all qualify.
What to send
One to three recordings or accessible links showing reporting, interviewing, presenting or moderation, with an explanation of the nominee’s role. Producers and technical contributors may also be nominated in Category 5. Please follow the simple nomination steps at the start of this guide.
What judges look for
Accuracy and preparation; interviewing, reporting or responsible moderation; clear and engaging presentation; public value and fairness. Popularity, entertainment alone or simply reading a prepared script is not enough.
Category 7: Environment and Climate Change Reporter of the Year Award
Who qualifies
A journalist reporting on the environment or climate change affecting Solomon Islands. Provincial staff, stringers and correspondents also qualify.
What to send
Work on issues such as climate impacts, adaptation, forests, oceans, pollution, fisheries, biodiversity, mining or waste. A story may cover one issue or the connections between several. Please follow the simple nomination steps at the start of this guide.
What judges look for
Accuracy and verification; depth and explanation; relevant voices and local consequences; clear storytelling and public value.
Category 8: Social Affairs Reporting Award
Who qualifies
A journalist reporting on social issues affecting Solomon Islands communities, through any medium and from any location.
What to send
Work on women, youth, children, disability, health, education, livelihoods, community development, gender-based violence, law and order, crime or the courts of justice. One issue or case is enough. Please protect children, survivors and other vulnerable people. Please follow the simple nomination steps at the start of this guide.
What judges look for
Accuracy and relevant context; explanation of the issue and the responses to it; fair representation and protection from harm; accessibility and public value.
This award assesses reporting on a social issue. Category 2 recognises the work of a reporter based in a province.
Category 9: Editor of the Year Award
Who qualifies
A person exercising real editorial responsibility in print, radio, television or digital news. Working editors in small newsrooms may qualify; a title or management position alone is not enough.
What to send
Published or broadcast examples showing how the nominee’s editorial decisions improved reporting, protected independence or helped colleagues. Explain their decisions and contribution. Please follow the simple nomination steps at the start of this guide.
What judges look for
Editorial judgement and accuracy; fairness, ethics and independence; support and development of colleagues; improvement in the quality and public value of journalism.
Category 10: People’s Choice Media Organisation of the Year Award
Status: proposed, subject to Board agreement.
About the award
This award invites the public to choose the media organisation they trust and value most for keeping them informed, explaining important issues and giving communities a voice. The organisation with the most valid votes receives the award at the MASI Media Awards 2026. Public voting is separate from professional judging, and organisations are not nominated for this award.
How the public vote would work
Subject to agreement, MASI could ask the Umi Toktok Forum to host or promote the poll. MASI would first confirm a list of eligible, currently operating Solomon Islands news organisations serving the public during the award period. The published list must include all the voting options; comments do not add nominees to the poll.
Voting options: SIBC; Solomon Star; Island Sun; In-depth Solomons; SBM Online; Sunday Isles; Tavuli News; ZFM; Barava FM; Paoa FM.
Voting rules
- One published poll or voting link, with one choice per voter and a clear closing date and time.
- The voting method will be published before voting opens.
- A method that limits repeat votes will be used. MASI will not promise controls that the platform cannot provide.
- Paid or automated votes are not allowed.
- Comments, likes and shares do not count as votes.
Result and tie-break
MASI and the poll host will record the result at closing and check any reported irregularities. The eligible organisation with the most valid votes wins. If the lead is tied, a short run-off will be held between the tied outlets under the same published rules. No winner will be announced while the result is unresolved.
Arrangements still to be confirmed
The Board and the proposed host must agree on the outlet list, dates, voting method and result-checking arrangements before the public post is published. A draft post is provided in Appendix A for use once those details are confirmed.
Category 11: Outstanding Service to MASI and Its Members Award
Who qualifies
An individual, active team or organisation supporting MASI and its members during the two-year award period. This award recognises service that is earned through current action. Age, seniority, founding status, years served and former positions do not create an entitlement, and no minimum length of career is required.
What to send
Describe what the nominee did, who benefited and what difference it made. Examples include volunteering, mentoring, training, defending journalists, advocating for media freedom and providing practical help. Give dates, useful examples and the names of two people who can confirm the work. The contribution must be mainly voluntary or go beyond ordinary paid duties; reasonable reimbursement of expenses is acceptable. Sponsorship or a past achievement alone is not enough.
What judges look for
Current service and commitment; practical benefit to MASI and its members; voluntary effort, mentoring or advocacy; integrity and confirmation from those helped. Each area is worth 25 points. Independent judges decide, and the 75-point minimum, conflict rules and option to withhold the award apply.
Category 12: Media Organisation of the Year Award
Who qualifies
A Solomon Islands news organisation providing an independent news service during the award period. Commercial, public, community and not-for-profit outlets may qualify.
What to send
Up to three examples of journalism and a short explanation of editorial standards, service to audiences and support for staff. Small and provincial organisations are assessed in context. A PR department or advertising page without an independent news service does not qualify.
What judges look for
Quality and accuracy of journalism; independence and accountability; public service and audience access; staff support and practical sustainability. Size, profit and equipment do not determine the winner.
Category 13: Investigative Reporter of the Year Award
Who qualifies
A journalist who made a substantial contribution to an original investigation published or broadcast during the award period. Please credit collaborators and explain the nominee’s role.
What to send
An investigation or linked series revealing significant information through evidence, verification and sustained enquiry. Explain the findings and their public value. Do not disclose confidential sources.
What judges look for
Original investigation and depth; evidence and verification; public value and accountability; fairness, right of reply and source protection. Repeating allegations or publishing a leaked document without verification is not enough.
Category 14: Journalist of the Year Award
Who qualifies
A journalist personally reporting original work for Solomon Islands audiences during the award period. Radio, television, print and digital journalists qualify, including provincial employees, freelancers, stringers and correspondents.
What to send
Up to three strong examples showing the nominee’s reporting, consistency and contribution. A specialist beat, senior title or investigative story is not required. PR material without independent reporting does not qualify.
What judges look for
Accuracy and ethical judgement; original reporting and depth; clear storytelling; public value and consistent professional standards. Winning another category does not automatically qualify someone for this award.
Appendix A: Draft Public Voting Post for Umi Toktok Forum
For use only after MASI and Umi Toktok Forum have agreed the poll arrangements. Please replace the highlighted fields before publication. This draft has not yet been sent to the forum.
MASI MEDIA AWARDS 2026 — PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Which Solomon Islands media organisation gets your vote?
The Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) is a membership-based association representing journalists and media in Solomon Islands.
For the MASI Media Awards 2026, MASI is inviting you, the public, to choose the winner of the People’s Choice Media Organisation of the Year Award.
Whether you listen to radio, read newspapers or follow news online, your vote will help recognise the media organisation you trust and value most.
Think about which organisation keeps you informed, explains issues that matter to you and gives people in our communities a voice.
Choose one organisation in the poll:
SIBC • Solomon Star • Island Sun • In-depth Solomons • SBM Online • Sunday Isles • Tavuli
News • ZFM • Barava FM • Paoa FM
The organisation with the most valid votes will receive the award at the MASI Media Awards 2026.
Voting closes: 22nd November 2026, Solomon Islands time.
Please select one option in the poll: [official poll link]. Comments, likes and shares do not count as votes.
Have your say. Cast your vote!
