These days, it can feel like the New York Times is so dominant that it has no newspaper to compete with but itself. And now it has a new internal awards ceremony to let it do just that.

Late last year, people across the company were invited to nominate candidates for the inaugural Ochs Awards, honoring the top journalists and journalism of the year. (Masthead positions and desk heads were ineligible.) Awards would be given in 25 categories, from Best Scoop to Writer of the Year to Rising Journalist. There are also categories for beat reporting (in culture and lifestyle, in news) and Editor of the Year (culture and lifestyle, news, audiovisual). The finalists in each category would be selected by “relevant committees of editors,” and the masthead would then choose the winners.

On Monday, the finalists were announced, as staff were invited to join virtually to “raise a glass to the winners” — who will receive a cash prize — on........

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