Green Eyeshade Awards Celebrate Trailblazing Journalism
The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is excited to announce the 2025 Green Eyeshade Awards, marking 75 years of honoring excellence in journalism across the southeastern United States. As the oldest regional journalism competition in the country, the Green Eyeshade Awards acknowledge exceptional work that informs and empowers communities. With entries representing Alabama to Puerto Rico, the event showcases a diverse array of stories from talented journalists.
Highlights from the 2025 Awards
This year, the prestigious Best of Show honor was awarded to Blue Ridge Public Radio for its outstanding coverage of Hurricane Helene, a natural disaster that significantly impacted North Carolina. Titled
Hell or High Water, their report exemplified what it means to be a community lifeline—by providing real-time updates, investigative journalism, and accountability for public officials. The judging panel praised Blue Ridge Public Radio for its innovative use of multimedia storytelling—combining journalism with compelling visuals—demonstrating the critical role of media during emergencies.
The unprecedented storm, recorded as the worst in North Carolina's history, tested the resilience of the community, and Blue Ridge's experts and journalists rose to meet the challenge head-on. Their post-Hurricane coverage didn’t just inform the public; it held power to account, making it a model of modern journalism.
Award Categories and Winners
The Green Eyeshade Awards recognize outstanding work across various media, and this year’s winners include:
- - Print/Digital Writing: South Florida Sun Sentinel, Cindy Krischer Goodman, Carline Jean, Mike Stocker—Born to Die series
- - Graphics/Photography: Tallahassee Democrat, Alicia Devine—The Sports Shots of Alicia Devine
- - Video/Television: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Fraser Jones—Finding his mom after deadly Hurricane Helene strands thousands in North Carolina
- - Audio/Radio: Blue Ridge Public Radio—Hell or High Water coverage
- - Digital/Online: WABE, Stephannie Stokes—Division of Families
- - Students: Caplin News Staff, Florida International University—Reporting Collection
This year’s awards also celebrate an expansion of categories and coverage areas, reflecting significant changes in media consumption and production over the years. With a remarkable increase of 57 percent in submissions compared to the previous year, these adjustments allowed for the inclusion of a wider variety of works and creative expressions.
Looking Forward
As we honor the extraordinary talents in journalism, the SPJ prepares for the upcoming 2026 Green Eyeshade Awards competition, which will open for submissions in January. Journalists from the southeastern U.S. and surrounding regions are encouraged to participate and share their impactful stories. The net proceeds from this year’s competition will be reinvested in training and advocacy for journalists, ensuring quality reporting continues to flourish.
The Green Eyeshade Awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also reflect the ongoing commitment to integrity, accountability, and journalism that resonates with the community. SPJ remains dedicated to ensuring journalists are supported and equipped to uncover the truth, one story at a time. Join us in commemorating 75 years of journalism excellence and looking forward to the next 75 years of enlightened storytelling.