CalMatters Recognized as Finalist for Prestigious Online News Awards
CalMatters, a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization dedicated to explaining how California’s state government works and empowering Californians to engage in the democratic process, has been named a finalist in two categories of the 2025 Online News Awards (ONAs): General Excellence and Social Media Engagement. These nominations highlight CalMatters’ innovative approach to journalism, its impactful reporting, and its commitment to reaching and informing diverse audiences, especially young voters.
The nomination for General Excellence recognizes CalMatters’ comprehensive approach to informing the public, encompassing in-depth investigative reporting, accessible voter information resources, and the groundbreaking Digital Democracy platform. CalMatters’ investigative journalism has spurred concrete action, leading to a state audit on legislator travel funding, a bill to increase homeless shelter oversight, and campaign finance penalties for a former lawmaker. These investigations underscore CalMatters’ commitment to holding power accountable and driving positive change within California’s government.
Complementing its investigative work, CalMatters’ 2024 Voter Guide reached an unprecedented audience through a multi-platform strategy. This included TikTok videos, interactive online quizzes, partnerships with local publications, and translated versions in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and a simplified English edition. The guide’s accessibility and widespread reach ensured that one in five California voters utilized this valuable resource to navigate the complexities of the ballot. This comprehensive approach underscores CalMatters’ dedication to fostering informed civic participation.
The Digital Democracy platform, launched in 2024, provides unprecedented access to the inner workings of the state government. It offers video and transcripts of legislative hearings, vote logs, lobbyist data, and bill tracking tools. This transparency empowers citizens to understand the legislative process and hold their representatives accountable. Furthermore, CalMatters generously shared this innovative platform, training journalists from over 20 newsrooms on how to leverage its AI-generated tipsheets. This collaborative approach strengthens the broader journalistic landscape and enhances public access to crucial government information. The platform’s impact has also been recognized with two Emmy nominations and the prestigious Poynter Institute’s Punch Sulzberger Prize for Journalism Innovation.
CalMatters’ second nomination, for Social Media Engagement, recognizes its innovative TikTok strategy to engage Gen Z voters. Through a creative blend of informational and entertaining content, CalMatters effectively leveraged the platform to connect with a younger demographic. This involved creating viral skits explaining California propositions in a relatable format, developing interactive filters tied to ballot measures, and partnering with California-based influencers to amplify voter guide outreach.
The TikTok campaign demonstrated CalMatters’ ability to adapt to evolving media consumption habits and effectively communicate complex political issues in an engaging manner. The call-center skit format, featuring reporter Jenna Peterson and audience engagement manager Anna Almendrala, resonated with TikTok users and established a successful model for future engagement. The creation of custom TikTok filters, inspired by popular beauty industry trends, added an interactive element to voter education, encouraging participation and driving traffic to the CalMatters Voter Guide.
The collaboration with California influencers further broadened the reach of CalMatters’ voter information efforts. By carefully selecting influencers who aligned with their target audience and emphasized authentic messaging and transparent disclosure, CalMatters effectively tapped into existing online communities. This strategic partnership extended the voter guide’s reach beyond CalMatters’ established following, contributing to the record engagement achieved during the 2024 election cycle.
The Online News Awards, presented by the Online News Association (ONA), recognize excellence in digital journalism across various categories. The winners of the General Excellence and Social Media Engagement categories will be announced at the ONA conference in New Orleans in September. CalMatters’ nominations in these prestigious categories highlight the organization’s commitment to impactful, accessible, and innovative journalism that strengthens democracy and empowers Californians to engage with their government. Last year, CalMatters was also a finalist for General Excellence, demonstrating a continued commitment to delivering high-quality journalism and serving the public interest. This consistent recognition underscores CalMatters’ position as a leading force in digital news and a vital resource for Californians seeking to understand and participate in their state’s political landscape.