Missouri Press Association
Serving Missouri Newspapers Since 1867
Submit nominations today for the Missouri Newspaper Hall of Fame, William E. James Outstanding Young Journalist and the brand-new Missouri Journalist of the Year award.
Missouri Journalist of the Year
New for 2026, the Missouri Journalist of the Year is an annual competition open to all professional journalists currently working for a member of the Missouri Press Association.
Journalists of all all experience levels can be nominated for this award. Recipients will be chosen for the significant impact, locally or statewide, their journalism work had in the previous calendar year. Individuals can be nominated for this award or self-nominate.
All nominations must include:
• A cover letter highlighting the impact of the journalist’s work on their community or in
the state of Missouri.
• A portfolio of at least five articles representing the journalist’s work in the previous year.
In addition, nominations can include:
• Letters of support for the journalist’s nomination.
• Additional examples of the journalist’s work, including photography, information graphics, video or audio pieces.
Nominations must be received by Missouri Press Association staff by the first Monday in April to be considered for this year’s award. The recipient will receive $500, a plaque and be recognized at this year’s Better Newspaper Contest awards presentation, held during the Annual Convention and Trade Show.
Find the nomination form here.
Missouri Newspaper Hall of Fame
Missouri Press Association Newspaper Hall of Fame inductees are selected annually from nominations received by the MPA Newspaper Hall of Fame Committee. Fill out the form linked below to submit your nomination. No self-nominations will be accepted.
To be considered for induction into the Newspaper Hall of Fame, a person must have made exemplary contributions to the newspaper industry over a number of years, lived honorably, influenced unselfishly, thought soundly and displayed community involvement. MPA founded the Hall of Fame in 1991 and past inductees include Joseph Pulitzer, Walter Williams, Samuel Clemens, and many more listed here.
Nominations must include:
• A nomination letter.
• At least one additional letter of support.
• Biographical info on nominee to assist the Committee’s evaluation.
• Examples of nominee's contributions to Missouri newspapers.
• A photo of the nominee, if available.
Find the nomination form online here.
Outstanding Young Journalist
Nominations for Outstanding Young Journalist must be submitted by March 31. An editor or publisher must submit the nominee’s resume, letter of nomination and 10 samples of work from the previous calendar year.
Entries will be judged on the quality and variety of the work samples and the impact of the work in the community. The nomination letter must be signed by the editor or publisher and should note the contributions the nominee has made to the newsroom.
Nominations may be submitted digitally. Winners are not eligible to win this award in subsequent years.
Nominees Must Be:
— Younger than 30 years old on January 1, of the year of the nomination
— An employee of a Missouri Press Association member newspaper
— A regular contributor to the newspaper
