Carmage Walls Commentary Prize: Raise your voice. Win recognition. Shape the conversation.

The opportunity to showcase your most compelling, courageous writing has arrived. The Carmage Walls Commentary Prize invites entries from members of America's Newspapers — and this year, it’s bigger, bolder and more rewarding than ever.

Why enter?

This prestigious contest celebrates the very best in editorial and column writing — work that informs, challenges and inspires communities. Named for legendary newspaperman Benjamin Carmage Walls, the prize honors a legacy of strong, principled journalism that makes a difference.

If you’ve written something that sparked conversation, influenced opinion or took a stand when it mattered most, this is your moment.

What’s new this year?

• More Prize Money: A total of $20,000 in cash awards will be distributed — an increase from previous years.
• Expanded Categories: New categories reflect the evolving world of opinion journalism.
• Open Competition Format: Entries are judged together, emphasizing quality and impact over circulation size.

Learn more and enter the Carmage Walls Commentary Prize