The public needs guidance on how to process and understand new technologies that can potentially disrupt their daily lives. In times of crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic or an earthquake, without proper explanation, society may fall into chaos. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recognizes the crucial role that media plays in informing the public about the benefits and dangers of new technologies, as well as how to prepare for natural disasters and health epidemics.

And to recognize the important role of the media in creating public awareness on science, technology, and innovation, DOST is finding ways to strengthen the relations between the Department and the media. One of the key initiatives seen is through rewards and recognition, a tool that will incentivize the efforts of media partners by having a regular media award for the best science and technology content.

In this connection, the Science and Technology Information Institute is reviving the conduct of the Bantog Awards - The Science For The People Media Awards.

This award will recognize the best works of the year of our partner media writers, reporters, correspondents, bloggers, content creators, information officers, and media organizations for their efforts in growing the interest in science and technology of the public by developing in-depth science news reporting, segments, programs, specialized science literacy audio package, and feature stories aimed to increase science literacy in the country.

The Bantog Media Awards is open to all credible science media practitioners, advocates, and allies with irrefutable integrity devoted to increase science literacy, appreciation, and awareness in the country through media reporting and science writing. It focuses on the in-depth explanatory program or writing on the science behind any of the DOST programs, technologies, projects, services, and/or advocacy offerings and how the public can benefit from these initiatives. Entries should possess general perspectives about an issue or concerns and provide a deeper understanding by incorporating data, case studies, and scenarios among others that will enrich the story and drive discussions even among non-expert audience. 

*The template of the endorsement letter from Media organization/ practitioner shall be provided.
** The template of the endorsement letter from the Head of the Agency shall be provided.

• Identify the categories of awards as follows:
• Best S&T News Story (Text)- Print and online newspaper story, news blog article
• Best S&T News Story (Audio)- Radio program segment or episode, podcast episode
• Best S&T News Story (Video)- TV news program segment or episode, news vlog episode
• Best S&T Investigative Story (Video)- TV public affairs program segment or episode, vlog episode
• Best S&T Feature Story (Text)- Print and online feature story, blog essay
• Best S&T Short-form Series (Video)- minimum 5 entries on Tiktok video, YT shorts, FB Reels, IG Reels
• Best S&T Editorial/Opinion (Text)
• Best S&T Editorial/Opinion (Audio/Video)
• Outstanding S&T lnformation Officer
  • Champion
  • 2^nd Place
  • 3^rd Place
• Outstanding S&T Advocate (Institutional Media Awards)

A. CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION

The DOST Media Awards 2024 Board of Judges shall use the following criteria as basis for their evaluation of entries. The Board of Judges is composed of experts from the government, industry, and the academe. No DOST officials or personnel shall sit on the Board.

As general guidelines, the Board of Judges shall consider the following in crafting the criteria.

• Nominees should be Filipino.
• Open to all National, Regional Media, Independent Content Creators, and DOST Information Officers.

Best S&T News Story (Text)

Individual Awards Category

Best S&T News Story (Audio)

  Individual Awards Category

Best S&T News Story (Video)

Individual Awards Category

Best S&T Investigative Story (Video)

Individual Awards Category

Best S&T Feature Story (Text)

Individual Awards Category

Best S&T Short-form Series (Video)

e.g. Tiktok, Facebook Reels, Youtube Shorts, and Instagram Reels

Individual Awards Category

Best S&T Editorial/Opinion (Text)

Individual Awards Category

Best S&T Editorial/Opinion (Audio/Video)

Individual Awards Category

Outstanding S&T Information Officer

Individual Awards Category

*The template of the endorsement letter from Media organization/ practitioner

shall be provided.

** The template of the endorsement letter from the Head of the Agency shall be

provided.

Outstanding S&T Advocate

Institutional Media Award

B. ELIGIBILITY

National and local media practitioners affiliated to legitimate news organizations in the Philippines can join. Media practitioners from news organizations based outside the Philippines are not eligible. Likewise, all syndicated news stories published outside the Philippines are also not eligible.

For the national and local broadcast entries, TV and Radio programs aired nationally and locally in the Philippines by any Philippine TV and Radio media organizations are eligible to join.

News organizations that are based in the Philippines may vie for the Outstanding S&T Advocate (Institutional Media Award).

Independent content creators are also invited to join in this contest.

Lastly, all media and information officers from the DOST attached agencies, provincial and regional offices are eligible to join the Outstanding S&T Information Officer category for their contribution in the information generation, media relations work, and S&T promotions.

C. SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES

Nominees/ nominating parties are required to fill-out the online form along with the copies of news articles published in printed newspaper and/or online and/or TV/Radio segments/documentaries aired on television/radio which features DOST S&T stories for the period of July 2023 to June 2024. All news articles and TV/Radio segment/documentary submissions should be properly labelled with title of article/segment/program, the name of writer/reporter/s, name of media organization, and date of publication/release.  All entries must be accompanied by evidence illustrating the reach and impact of submitted articles and/or TV/Radio segments/documentary programs such as but not limited to the following:   a. Number of online shares/views; and/or b. Google analytics (number of webpage hits). Submissions may be done in person, through e-mail, and/or courier.

Nominees/ nominating party must submit the above-mentioned requirements not later than 9 August 2024, 12:00NN (PST).

Decisions of the Board of Judges are final. Nominees/ nominating party or their representatives by the act of submitting and nominating, the author/writer/producer agree to the immunity of the members of the Board of Judges, the DOST-STII and its employees from any legal suit that may arise from or relative to the conduct of the contest.  

By submitting articles/news cuts to the Committee, the author/writer/producer agrees and gives DOST-STII the right to use the articles/reports as materials for information dissemination/advocacy programs related to any S&T activities without undue disadvantage to the writer/author and/or producer. 

Sole entry in a specific category will not automatically make it qualify for the title or award. The entry will still be evaluated by the Board of Judges. 

The Board of Judges has the right not to declare any winner and/or may opt to recognize deserving media practitioners for the awards if no nominee(s) is/are qualified or have not met the requirements and criteria.

1. Prizes

Each winner will receive a plaque of recognition and the corresponding cash prizes: