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.
