We’re looking forward to seeing all our finalists at the 2026 MJA Awards ceremony this evening.
Ahead of the winners being announced we’re bringing you a quick reminder of who is up for our newcomer, freelance and editor trophies.
As ever, this year’s shortlist truly showcases the breadth, depth and impact of reporting that has informed public debate, challenged assumptions and brought important health stories to wider audiences.
The finalists in these categories show what a difficult job our independent judges have.
It’s always exciting to see new talent coming through the ranks. Many of our most experienced journalists were once listed on our newcomer shortlist.
For 2026 in Newcomer – supported by Weber Shandwick – we have:
Robbie Boyd
Regulators fail to protect NHS staff exposed to cancer causing chemical
Channel 4 News
Maeve Cullinan
‘Cult’ of tourniquets causing thousands of unnecessary amputations and deaths in Ukraine, say surgeons
The Daily Telegraph
Emily Warner
Revealed: How ICBs are taking their own approaches to Mounjaro prescribing
The Pharmacist
The MJA has many freelance members working across a range of media and this is always a hotly contested category. Our judges managed to narrow the shortlist to five.
Our finalists for Freelance – supported by Opella are:
Paul Adepoju
Battle of the mosquitoes
Nature Medicine
The oxygen crisis didn’t end with COVID-19 — it evolved
Devex
Conflict disrupts global supply chains for cancer medicines
The Lancet Oncology
Daily Mail Health Section/Mail Online
The form you MUST ask your doctor about if you want to die at home surrounded by your loved ones
Daily Mail Health Section/Mail Online
Yes, we doctors DO make mistakes… but these seven simple rules will help protect you
Daily Mail Health Section/Mail Online
Will Stoddart
Why are men with aggressive prostate cancer being denied lifesaving drug that inpatients CAN get in Scotland and Wales?
Daily Mail Good Health
Our blueprint for a LONGER LIFE
Daily Mail Good Health
How noise like low hum of a fridge could treat dementia
Daily Mail Good Health
Rosie Taylor
I Just Want to Feel Like Me Again
The Guardian
Rethinking 999
The Sunday Times Magazine
Living in the countryside can harm your health
The Telegraph
Helen Thomson
Improve Your Immunity
New Scientist
The Sweet Spot of Stress
New Scientist
The treaty that could end the plastic deluge
The Observer
And we cannot forget those who are making the tough decisions, selecting the topics, guiding the investigations and shaping the content.
In our Editor – supported by ABPI category, the finalists are:
Mun Keat Looi
Trump’s second term and the weaponisation of health policy: a 2025 timeline
The BMJ
How politics destroyed Colombia’s model healthcare system
The BMJ
How attacking healthcare has become a strategy of war
The BMJ
Victoria Macdonald
How dangerous delays left thousands waiting more than 6 hours in ambulances
Channel 4 News
Exclusive: Regulators fail to protect NHS staff exposed to cancer causing chemical dubbed ‘the new asbestos’
Channel 4 News
Oxford University Hospitals: Couple called scandal-hit NHS trust 44 times for scan
Channel 4 News
Jennifer Richardson
Junk food “avoids advertising regulation” with top level UK sports sponsorship
bmj.com
Banking baby teeth: companies may be misleading parents with “outrageous claims”
bmj.com
Why doctors are uniquely vulnerable to domestic abuse
bmj.com
Our judges also have the privilege of selecting our Outstanding Contribution to Health and Medical Journalism Award – supported by Novartis. This is awarded to one of our winners and we can’t wait to see how has been awarded the crown.
