• The National Media Awards are open to full-time, part-time, and freelancing media professionals and content creators working and residing in Eswatini.
  • All entities and organisations must be legally registered in Eswatini.
  • Eligible applicants include: Journalists, broadcasters, producers, editors, photographers, digital creators, and media houses whose work was published, aired, or released between 16 November 2024 and 15 November 2025.
  • Submissions must reflect originality, ethical reporting, and creative excellence within the Eswatini media landscape.
  • If entering the same work in multiple (max. 3 categories) categories, tailor your rationale per category. Ensure to use a separate entry form per submission.

See the downloadable Entry Guide for detailed eligibility criteria. Entries open 06 October 202530 November 2025 (23:59 PM). Download your Nomination application form.

Award Categories
  • Journalist of the Year: Print/Online + Electronic
  • News Story of the Year: Print/Online + Electronic
  • Regional Integration Award: Print/Online + Electronic
  • Editorial Leadership Award
  • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Investigative Reporter Award
  • Community Impact Award
  • Emerging Reporter Award
  • Business Reporter Award
  • Sports Reporter Award
  • Environmental & Climate Change Reporter Award
  • Columnist of the Year (Opinion & Analysis)
  • Entertainment Reporter Award
  • Photographer Award
Originality and Authorship
  • Work produced must be original and independently produced. Where work is collaborative, it should be declared.
  • Include an Impact Statement Form outlining significance, reach, and outcomes. Attach the form as part of your final submission.
Rules and Guidelines, T&Cs

Rules & Guidelines

  • Only eligible works submitted through the official channels (entries@nationalmediaawards.co.sz) will be considered.
  • Entries must comply with Eswatini’s media laws and codes of journalistic ethics.
  • Entrants must ensure the information provided is accurate and complete at the time of submission.
  • Misrepresentation, plagiarism, or falsified information will result in immediate disqualification.
  • No entrant may attempt to influence the judging process. Any such attempt will lead to disqualification.

T&Cs

  • By submitting an entry, entrants agree to the Rules, Regulations, and Privacy Policy of the National Media Awards (NMAs).
  • Entrants grant the NMAs, ESNAJ, EEF, and MARC the non-exclusive right to use submitted work (with full attribution) for promotional and educational purposes related to the Awards.
  • Entries remain the intellectual property of the creator, but the NMAs may reproduce excerpts or visuals for press, broadcast, or digital coverage of the event.
  • No entry fees apply for 2025; participation is free of charge for all qualifying journalists.
  • Entries received after the closing deadline will not be accepted or carried over to the next cycle.
Entry Process
  • Entrants should sign the Editors Endorsement Form from their editors. 
  • All submissions must have been first published or broadcast between 16 November 2024 and 15 November 2025
  • Entrants are allowed to submit applications under three (3) different categories. Tailor each rationale per category 
  • The same work may not be entered into more than 2 categories

It’s All in The Timing

  • Entries Open: 6 October 2025
  • Entries Close: 30 November 2025 at 23:56 (SAST) 
  • Finalists Notified: Early December 2025
  • Awards Gala: 12 December 2025
  • Late entries will not be accepted.