Greater Cincinnati Pro Chapter
2020
EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM CONTEST
CALL FOR ENTRIES
The Greater Cincinnati Pro Chapter
of the Society of Professional Journalists
is looking for the most outstanding work appearing
in print, online and on-air during 2019
in Southwest Ohio (Cincinnati & Dayton markets),
Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana.
ENTRY DEADLINE:
MARCH 15, 2020
All entries for the
2020 Greater Cincinnati SPJ Pro Chapter Excellence In Journalism contest will
be submitted online through Better Newspaper Contest.
Greater Cincinnati
SPJ Excellence In Journalism
Note: BNC is optimized to use the Google Chrome
browser and Firefox for PC and Mac/Apple.
Please use a recent version of either to make entering easier.
HERE’S HOW TO ENTER
2) Click "Open Call Login" at
the top of the page
3) Look for "Create Your Open Call
Account Here" and fill out the requested information, then press
"submit"
4) A validation email will be
sent to you that you will need to click the link in to validate your account
5) After validating your account, log into
your account via the “Open Call Login” page and navigate to the ”My Contests”
page
6) Look for the Greater Cincinnati SPJ
Excellence In Journalism contest in the “Available Contests” section & check
the box next to the contest name
7) Navigate to the “Manage
Entries” page and click "Submit Entry " on the left side
8) Select appropriate category by number
9) Read the category note describing what is
expected of each entry
10) In the box labeled “Who should be credited
for this entry” enter the names of those responsible for the entry and click
“submit." You can enter three names, but anything above that enter
"staff"
11) To upload digital files and attachments, follow
the instructions indicated
12) To add web/audio/video content, copy and
paste the content’s URL address into the provided website URL field. Note
-- there is a 20MB limit on file size. Here are examples of free streaming
content websites where you can upload audio and video content:
For more detailed instructions go to www.betterbncsupport.com
IMPORTANT!
1) Make sure the
content can be accessed for the duration of the contest and awards process – at
least through June 30, 2020.
2) It’s preferred
that entries not be behind a paywall or password protection. If that has to be the case, provide
username/password information in the COMMENTS section of your entry. Please test the login from computers outside
your office to make sure the login works.
If your website
requires a subscription after a certain number of entries, please provide a
login that will allow judges to view all submissions. Judges have had problems in this area in the
past and if work samples are not accessible the entry will be disqualified.
If you have
questions about entries or problems completing them, contact:
or
Click on “Help and Support” on the BNC website
ENTRY FEES
SPJ Members: $25 for each entry
Non-Members: $35 for each entry
If you want to pay
through Pay-Pal
·
When all entries are submitted, log onto your
account
·
Navigate to the “Manage Entries” page
·
Click “Calculate Entry Fees”
·
Follow the instructions on the screen to pay for
the entries
If you want to pay
by check
Make it payable to:
Greater Cincinnati SPJ Pro Chapter
Send to:
Tom McKee
Greater Cincinnati SPJ Pro Chapter
6774 Euclid Ave.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45243
To become an SPJ member, sign up at “spj.org” and be sure to designate the
Greater Cincinnati SPJ Pro Chapter as the chapter you want to join.
There are no local dues for chapter membership.
The annual national membership dues are $75 and can be paid in one sum or
monthly installments.
THE EXCELLENCE IN
JOURNALISM AWARDS CELEBRATION
AND
THE GREATER
CINCINNATI JOURNALISM HALL OF FAME INDUCTION
WILL BE HELD IN
JUNE, 2020
NOTE: Entries will be judged by members
of the Keystone SPJ chapter in Pennsylvania.
Judges have the discretion to choose or not choose a winner and finalists
in each category. All judging decisions
are final. Winning entries will be
awarded one plaque – additional plaques can be purchased for team members at
cost. Finalists will be awarded one
certificate – extras can be purchased at cost.
ENTRY CATEGORIES
Entries can be made
in one or more of four categories:
ALL-MEDIA: includes the three
most significant awards the chapter presents
for work done in any
medium in 2019.
WRITTEN
COMMUNICATION: covers articles and still pictures appearing in a newspaper, in a magazine,
on a blog or posted online during 2019.
BROADCAST
COMMUNICATION: includes stories that were broadcast on a television or radio station, appeared
online or as a podcast during 2019.
BEST OF SHOW: the best reporter
in written and broadcast communication, plus the best newspaper, magazine, web
site, television and radio newscast.
ALL MEDIA AWARDS
ENTRY CODE 100 -
GERALD WHITE MEMORIAL AWARD
This is the most
prestigious award presented by the Greater Cincinnati SPJ Pro Chapter. It honors the memory of longtime Cincinnati
Enquirer investigative reporter Gerald White and is presented to an individual
or team for excellence in investigative reporting in any medium. Entries will be judged on enterprise, depth of
research and overall presentation. Please include a summary of the circumstances
that prompted the story, the hurdles overcome in completing production and the
impact generated.
101 - CAMILLA
WARRICK AWARD
This award honors
journalists in any medium who use their professional role to make an impact on
Greater Cincinnatians. It's named for
the late Cincinnati Enquirer and Post reporter and columnist Camilla
Warrick. Entries can be the work of an
individual or team and must include a written statement that details the public
service value of the project and the overall impact of the work.
102 - FIRST
AMENDMENT AWARD
A free press is
essential in a democracy and this award honors an individual journalist or
group of journalists in any medium going to extraordinary lengths to protect
the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Journalists today face constant challenges
from governments, corporations or individuals trying to interrupt the free flow
of information. Please provide details
on the story’s origination and how challenges faced in completing it were
overcome.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
103 - NEWS STORY
This category focuses
on outstanding coverage of a single news event by an individual or team. Entries are limited to one story which could
be general assignment reporting or breaking news - the basic day-to-day
journalism that keeps the public informed.
104 - FEATURE STORY
Entries in this
category will be one story that captures the human spirit and/or has compelling
human interest appeal. This could include
lifestyle trends, personality profiles or the lighter side of life.
105 - INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
This category zeroes in on original in-depth reporting on an issue of wide-ranging
community impact. This can include
stories where databases were used in preparing the report. The entry may include three stories on the
same topic.
106 - CONTINUING
COVERAGE OR SERIES
News is a 24/7
business and a story often can’t be told in one day. That’s where this category comes in: excellence by an individual or team in
covering a topic over an extended period of time. The entry may include up to six stories.
107 - BUSINESS STORY
Decisions made each
day by business leaders impact employees, investors and consumers. This category reflects reporting excellence
by an individual or team.
108 - BUSINESS FEATURE/ANALYSIS/COLUMN
Entries in this
category go beyond business headlines to focus on people, places or trends and
demonstrate how an issue impacts corporations and consumers.
109 - GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY
ISSUES REPORTING
Decisions made at
the local, state and federal levels of government affect every citizen in every
village, city, township, county or state.
Coverage and analysis of these issues is vital if people are to make
informed decisions on how they should vote or live their lives.
110 - EDUCATION
REPORTING
Millions of dollars
are poured into education in public, private, parochial and charter schools
plus colleges and universities. Parents,
students, teachers, staff and administrators need to know that money is being
well spent. Reporting on important education
issues and trends at the primary, secondary and collegiate levels is the focus
of entries in this category.
111 - HEALTH/MEDICAL
REPORTING
People need to know
how to keep themselves and their families safe and healthy.
What new products
are available? What about preventive
medicine? What about the impact of
lifestyle choices? Who are the best
doctors and hospitals?
Reporting on health
and medical issues is vital to quality of life.
112 - ENVIRONMENTAL/SCIENCE
REPORTING
Coverage that
illuminates an environmental or scientific issues that has had (or will have)
impact on a local, regional or national audience or that explains a complex
topic or environmental scientific story in a compelling manner.
113 - ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
REPORTING
This award is for excellence
in reporting on the people and places that provide music, dance, theater, art and
other entertainment to citizens.
114 - ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
CRITIQUE
Critiquing arts and entertainment
performances and exhibitions can be a difficult job. Which reporter does the most even-handed and
honest job? That’s what will be
determined from the entries in this category.
115 - EDITORIAL
More and more media
outlets are providing editorials on key issues to help citizens make up their
own minds on how they feel. Entries in this
category can include up to six pieces.
116 - SPORTS
REPORTING
Who provides readers
with the most outstanding coverage of sporting events and participants at the
high school, college, professional or recreational levels? That’s what judges will determine after
reviewing entries in this category.
117 - SPORTS FEATURE
This is reporting
that goes beyond the scores and highlights of a game to capture the essence of
the human spirit of participants.
118 - MAGAZINE
REPORTING
This award is for an
outstanding story appearing in a regularly published magazine.
119 - NEWS/SPORTS
BLOG
More and more news
outlets have their reporters write blogs on news and sports topics. Who has the most outstanding news or sports
blog? That’s what the judges will
determine.
120 - NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINE/WEBSITE
DESIGN
The look of a
newspaper, magazine or web site is determined by the artists who lay out the
pages and create the illustrations that highlight the stories presented. This award is for the best overall design of a
daily, weekly or monthly newspaper, magazine or web site.
121 - NEWS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography brings
events of the world to life. The winner
of the award in this category will have demonstrated outstanding news
photography in print or online. Entry
can include up to 12 images.
122 - SPORTS
PHOTOGRAPHY
A photographer can
captures the essence of a sporting event in a split second.
The image can convey
the emotion of a player or fan. This
award recognizes outstanding sports photography in print or online. Entry can include up to 12 images.
BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
123 - NEWS STORY
This award is for
outstanding news reporting presented on television, radio or online. The story should have widespread appeal to
viewers, listeners or readers.
124 - FEATURE STORY
Entries in this
category go behind the headlines to capture the essence of the human
spirit. The story must have been
broadcast on television, radio or appeared online during 2019.
125 - INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
Television and radio
outlets have excellent reporters that dig into topics of critical importance to
the region. These aren’t stories that
turn in a day. They reflect days, weeks,
months or even years of preparation. The
winner in this category will be determined by judges to be the story with the
most depth and impact.
126 - BUSINESS/CONSUMER
REPORTING
Business leaders
make daily decisions affecting people of every race, color and age. Those people need accurate information so
they know how to wisely spend their money.
Entries in this category will have appeared on television, radio or
online during 2019.
127 - GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY
ISSUES STORY
Governments approve
laws that determine the quality of life for citizens. They also provide basic services for a wide
range of communities and solve problems for residents. This award is for outstanding television,
radio or online coverage of government/community issues.
128 - EDUCATION REPORTING
What happens in
classrooms is of vital importance to parents, students, teachers, staff and
administrators. That’s why broadcast
reporting on trends at the elementary, secondary and collegiate levels is
recognized in this category.
129 - HEALTH/MEDICAL
REPORTING
Health is a big
concern for every citizen and reporting on medical trends and issues impacts
the quality of life for everyone. The
winner of this category will have demonstrated outstanding coverage in this
area.
130 - SPORTS
REPORTING
This award
recognizes excellence in broadcast coverage of a sports story at the high
school, college or recreational level.
131 - SPORTS FEATURE
There’s more to
sports reporting than just the scores of a game or match.
This category
recognizes broadcast excellence in sports coverage that focuses on the individuals
involved.
132 - VIDEOGRAPHY
This award recognizes
the best videography on television or online.
Please submit a composite of work with a time limit of 15 minutes.
133 - DOCUMENTARY
The winning
individual or team in this category will have produced news program that
provides an extensive, in-depth look at a single topic of importance or
interest to the region. Time limit is 60
minutes.
134 - SPECIAL REPORT OR PROGRAM
The entries in this
category will focus on a news program that provides an extended look at a
newsworthy topic. Time limit is 30
minutes.
135 - MULTI-MEDIA PROGRAM
A news program that
includes a wide range of media used to tell a single story. Time limit is 60 minutes.
136 - PODCAST
Podcasting gained
considerable growth in 2019 as more news outlets adopted the format. This new award recognizes excellence in an
audio and/or video podcast presented in 2019.
BEST OF SHOW
137 - BEST OVERALL
WRITTEN REPORTER
Who is the best
reporter for a daily, weekly or monthly newspaper, magazine or on-line.? Entry can include up to 12 articles.
138 - BEST OVERALL
BROADCAST REPORTER
The winner of this
category will be determined from a compilation of radio or television work that
shows how the reporter stands out from the competition.
Time limit: 15 minutes
139 - BEST NEWSPAPER
Who has the best
overall daily, weekly or monthly newspaper?
Judges will examine entries that include newspapers from up to three
separate days during 2019.
140 - BEST MAGAZINE
There’s tremendous
competition among magazine staffs to prove that their publication is the best. Entries can include up to three issues from
2019.
141 - BEST WEB SITE
Best web site hosted
by a newspaper, magazine, television or radio station.
142 - BEST
TELEVISION NEWSCAST
Best single
television newscast. Time limit: 30 minutes.
143 - BEST RADIO NEWSCAST
Best single radio
newscast. Time limit: 15 minutes.
