The Private Eye Paul Foot Award 2024 for Investigative and Campaigning Journalism is now open for entries. The award was set up in memory of revered journalist Paul Foot, who died twenty years ago in 2004, and honours the UK’s most brilliant, talented and determined journalists working in the fields of investigative and campaigning journalism today.
In 2024, the Private Eye Paul Foot Award has increased its prize pot, with the winner set to receive £8,000 – up from £5,000 last year – while runners up will receive £1,500 per entry.
The 2023 award was won by David Conn, The Guardian, for his entry Revealed: Conservative peer Michelle Mone and her family secretly received millions from “VIP lane” PPE firm. Conn’s winning investigation uncovered how Baroness Mone and her three adult children had been secretly paid £29m from the profits from PPE contracts. The PPE company she was linked to is now under investigation.
SUBMISSIONS PROCEDURES FOR 2024
As last year, all submissions must be made online to awards@private-eye.co.uk. Postal submissions will not be accepted. The entry form and covering letter must be attached to the submission email and can be downloaded here.
Submissions will be accepted for material published in a newspaper, magazine or website between 1st April 2023 and 26th March 2024. The deadline for entries is Tuesday 26th March 2024, 1.00pm. No broadcast material is eligible. Individual journalists, teams of journalists or entire publications may enter and entries will be considered for anything from a single piece to entire campaigns. Applications are welcomed from national media and international outlets based in the UK whose submissions focus on UK-based or UK-relevant investigations, and submissions from regional and smaller, independent news outlets are also encouraged.
The judging panel is comprised of Padraig Reidy (Chair), Francis Wheen, Simon Jenkins, Helen Lewis, David Conn, Janine Gibson, Julia Langdon, Kim Sengupta and Matt Foot.
Ian Hislop, Editor of Private Eye, said: “This is a shocking 60% increase for the prize winner. And a 50% rise for the runners up. It is irresponsible and inflationary and might give journalists the idea that their work was in some way valued. In the words of the Prime Minister “Stop the Boost”! (surely “boats” ED).”
Padraig Reidy, Chair of Judges, The Private Eye Paul Foot Award, said: “We’ve seen once again this year how dedicated campaigning journalism can set the agenda and deliver justice for ordinary people. The Paul Foot Award judges are looking forward to reading stories from across the UK, published everywhere from newsletters to the biggest global titles, that show the power of reporters who dig deep and stick to their guns.”
KEY DATES
- Tuesday 26th March 1.00pm: Deadline for entries
- May 2024: Details of the short-listed entries will be published at private-eye.co.uk
- Tuesday 11th June: The winning entry for 2024 will be revealed at an awards announcement event hosted by Ian Hislop in central London
About Paul Foot
Paul Foot, an investigative journalist, editor and left-wing campaigner, worked variously for the Daily Record, the Daily Mirror, The Guardian and Private Eye. He was involved in many high-profile campaigns throughout his illustrious career, including the Birmingham Six, the Bridgewater Four and the John Poulson scandal. His accolades include the Journalist of the Year, the Campaigning Journalist of the Year, the George Orwell Prize for Journalism and in 2000 he was honoured as the Campaigning Journalist of the Decade. Paul Foot died in 2004 at the age of 66.
For further information, including a downloadable application form, please visit www.private-eye.co.uk or contact Emily.Laidlaw@midsaspr.co.uk.
