The Walkley Foundation for Excellence in Journalism has launched a new event that recognises and rewards the new generation of emerging Australian journalistic talent who in turn could be Walkley Award winners of the future.

The only national event of its kind celebrating journalists aged 26 and under, the winner will receive an all-expenses paid trip to travel to media organisations in London, New York and Washington, plus A$5,000. Awards are in five categories: print, television, radio, online and photography.

The judging panel will draw up a shortlist of three finalists in each category before selecting one of those category winners for the main accolade of Young Australian Journalist of the Year. The Young Australian Journalist of the Year Awards is open to all Australian journalists or final year journalism students, employed full-time or freelance who have had work published, broadcast or televised through Australian media outlets in the past 12 months.

The award ceremony will be held in Sydney in July 2008.

The Walkley Foundation tonight announced the launch of the Young Australian Journalist of the Year Awards that will recognise and reward the emerging generation of Australian journalistic talent. The only event of its kind celebrating journalists aged 26 and under, the overall winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to visit media organisations in London, New York and Washington, together with A$5,000 spending money.

Awards will be made in five categories: print, television, radio, online and photography. The judging panel will draw up a shortlist of three finalists in each category before choosing a winner. The judges will then select one of those category winners for the main prize and accolade of Young Australian Journalist of the Year.