The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) and the Probe Media Foundation Inc. (PMFI) are now accepting nominations for the Search for Journalists of the Year (JOY).

The JOY celebrates and honors distinctive Filipino journalists from print, broadcast and online media for their body of work that has contributed to the development of the nation and inspired other media practitioners.  It also encourages responsibility, accountability and excellence in storytelling.

The JOY intends to recognize outstanding mature journalist sometime during his or her prime as viewed in the context of the whole landscape of the journalism profession.  Journalism would be viewed as a life as well as a primary source of livelihood, not just a craft, vocation or career. 

Journalists qualified for this search must be Filipino citizens currently residing in the Philippines. They must have been working in the media industry for at least ten (10) years covering the period from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2012. They must be practicing any medium (print, radio, television or online) of journalism in the Philippines on a regular basis and as a primary source of income.

Nominations are open to everyone of legal age. Self-nominations are also allowed.  Nominees may be endorsed by their current supervisor, superior or editor, provided that the endorser is attached to a bona fide media organization or news agency. These endorsements are valid and required even if some or all the nominee’s submitted stories for review were created for a prior employment. The deadline for submission of nominations is on or before January 31, 2013.

The three winners will each receive PhP300, 000 and a special trophy. They will also receive the Metrobank Foundation Fellowship Program in Journalism. The Metrobank Foundation Fellowship Program in Journalism is a lecture series intended for the three (3) selected Journalists of the Year. They will deliver lectures about their journalistic experiences in select academic institutions in NCR, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, to audiences of students, academe, media, civil society and others. The program will highlight the journalists’ contributions to both the industry and to society, and give the public a chance to learn from these noteworthy individuals.

The information and materials are on www.facebook.com/MetrobankFoundationJOY, or visit www.mbfoundation.org.ph/excellence-awards-program-joy.html and  www.probefound.com/.  In time, the profiles of shortlisted nominees will be made available on the official Facebook page and on the websites.*