According to J-Lab: The Institute for Interactive Journalism, the Knight-Batten Awards for Innovations in Journalism, a US$10,000 grand prize and up to US$6,000 in special distinction awards, spotlight news and information that is more than multimedia journalism. They reward novel efforts to involve citizens actively in public issues, invite their participation, and create entry points that stir their imagination and engagement. Honoured are pioneering approaches to journalism that spur non-traditional interactions and that have community impact. Entries could consist of online news experiences, news games, novel uses of cell phones, Webcams, iPods, computer kiosks, new uses of software, content management systems, and other advances in interactive or participatory journalism. Entries may also demonstrate simple efforts that notably connect in new ways with a community. Entries must consist of journalism content created by a news-producing initiative. Individuals must have been affiliated with such initiatives at the time of publication to enter. The contest is open to all news efforts originating between May 1 2008 and June 1 2009. Included in the awards programme, funded by the Knight Foundation, are a Citizen Media award and a Wild Card award, to be given at the judges’ discretion. They are administered by J-Lab: The Institute for Interactive Journalism.

The deadline for application is June 1 2009.

Click here for more information.

The J-Lab website, December 6 2008.