New Folio Award Categories for Digital Media Announced

Fair Media Council Unveils New Social Media Categories for the 2025 Folio Awards
Signature Social Impact Storytelling Award Announced with $1,000 Prize

The Fair Media Council (FMC) is proud to announce the expansion of its social media categories for the 2025 Folio Awards, introducing fresh opportunities for businesses and nonprofits to showcase their creativity and leadership in the digital space. Designed to reflect FMC’s commitment to advocating for and recognizing quality, trust, and credibility in media, the new categories encourage organizations to use their platforms for positive impact and innovative storytelling.

The highlight of this year’s competition is the new Signature Social Impact Storytelling Award, which includes a $1,000 prize. This award will honor work that goes beyond engagement to drive meaningful social change, spotlighting organizations that leverage social media to inspire action and make a difference. FMC is seeking to reward those who are reshaping the media landscape through quality storytelling that truly matters.

“We’ve expanded the social media categories this year to reflect the changing ways businesses and nonprofits use digital platforms to tell important stories,” said Jaci Clement, CEO/Executive Director at Fair Media Council. “We’re especially proud to introduce the Social Impact Storytelling Award because it embodies what FMC stands for—using media as a force for good.”

Also for the first time, FMC is accepting nominations for lifetime achievement in digital media, to recognize an individual leader who has enhanced public access to quality information and enriched the media landscape. 

In total, there are 54 categories that are divided according to the following umbrella topics: social responsibility and truth campaigns, storytelling and creative content, classic digital media, media relations and branding, podcasts, innovation and strategy, leadership and the future of work and education.Categories include: 

• Best Leadership in Media Award
• Best Social Responsibility Campaign
• Truth in Action Award
• Best Public Trust Campaign
• Best “What’s Global is Local” Campaign
• Best Use of Social Media for Advocacy
• Best Podcast Series
• Best Podcast for Public Awareness 
• Best Media Relations Campaign
• Best Branding Campaign on Social Media
• Best Organization Website 
• Best Newsletter 
• Best Authentic Storytelling Campaign 
• Best Visual Storytelling 

Please refer to the website for the full listing of 54 categories.

These new categories provide businesses and nonprofits with numerous opportunities to enter their best work, showcasing how media can be used as a tool for driving positive change, building trust, and creating high-quality content.

While the focus of this announcement is on social media, FMC has also updated its news categories.

Businesses and nonprofits are encouraged to submit their entries for the 2025 Folio Awards today. For more information and a complete list of categories, visit fairmediacouncil.org/folio-awards. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 1. A tiered-entry system encourages early submissions. 

About the Folio Awards

The Fair Media Council Folio Awards are the Gold Standard for the Modern Media Landscape. All are eligible to enter. 

About Fair Media Council

Founded in 1979, the Fair Media Council is a nonprofit organization that advocates for quality news and creates a media-savvy society. Through its programs, resources, and annual Folio Awards, FMC fosters transparency, accountability, and trustworthiness in the media. FMC is one of the oldest, most successful media watchdogs in the country. Businesses and nonprofit organizations are eligible for membership, which supports FMC’s work to keep local news local and accountable to the community.