The Rotary Club of Manila (RCM) organized the RCM Journalism Awards in 1966 to honor the outstanding contributions of individuals in the tri-media: print, television, radio.

Importantly, the awards sought to encourage excellence in Philippine Journalism by giving recognition to journalists and media agencies which performed outstandingly.

With the proclamation of martial law in 1972, RCM stopped giving awards. The Club?s message was that since there was no real freedom of the press, there was no sense in holding the awards. With the return of democracy and the renewed vitality of the Fourth Estate, the Journalism Awards returned in 1986 and have since carried on the Club?s commitment to encourage the proper development of Philippine Journalism and give recognition to the excellence of Filipino journalists and their works.

For the 2002 Journalism Awards, the Rotary Club of Manila decided to establish a Hall of Fame for multi-awarded (winning at least three times) broadcast and print journalists.

For this year?s Journalism Awards the RCM has expanded the categories to better reflect the changing landscape of Philippine Journalism. Aside from Outstanding Newspaper, Investigative Reporter, Broadcaster and Opinion Writer of the Year, the expanded awards categories include Regional Newspaper of the Year, TV and Radio Station of the Year, Broadcast Journalist of the Year for TV and Radio, as well as Special Recognition Awards.

For News (TV and Print), News (Business Section - Print), TV Public Service and Radio Public Service.

Trophy Design

The trophy design was conceptualized through the efforts of Rtn. TOMAS ?Tom? C. BANGUIS, JR., President, AB Communications, on a pro bono basis. A brief description of the trophy?s main design is composed of a feather pen with ?flame? feathers executed using narra wood for the lower half of the pen. The ?flame/fire? was done with cut-out brass with engraving. The simulated paper was done on brass material, while the base is made out of narra wood with light walnut shiny finish. A plate identifying the winner was done on photo-engraved brass plate, with textured brass nail. The backing for the pen/flame at 1/4 clear glass with bevell with the Rotary logo etched at the glass backing.