The awards were launched last night at the Frontline Club, where the judging panels were also announced. Martin Bright, political editor of the Jewish Chronicle and journalist and author Michela Wrong will be judging the Journalism Prize, while lawyer David Allen Green (aka Jack of Kent) and former political editor of the Observer Gaby Hinsliff will judge the Blog Prize entries.
Green was himself shortlisted for the 2010 Blog Prize, which saw a total of 164 bloggers enter following the introduction of the category in 2009.
There is also a prize for books which will be judged by James Naughtie, presenter of BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Ursula Owen, former editor of Index on Censorship and founder director of Virago Press and Will Skidelsky, books editor for the Observer.
This year's awards will have a poverty theme, marking the 75th anniversary of Orwell's journey to Wigan Pier in January 2011, according to a press release. Entries must have been published between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2010 and have a clear relationship with the UK or Ireland.
Full entry details can be found on the newly unveiled Orwell Prize website.
Longlists for the categories will be announced on 30 March next year and the shortlists on 26 April. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at Church House in Westminster on 18 May 2011, where each winner will receive £3,000.
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