2018 Contest Categories

1. BREAKING NEWS REPORTING: Reporting, by an individual or a team, of a single breaking news event across all available publishing platforms. Each entry is limited to coverage of the first 48 hours. Entries should include social, digital and print components. Entries should include URLs and/or screenshots for online components. Limit 15 URLs and/or attachments. To help judges decide the Public Service Gold Medal, each entry must include a 1-page letter noting the public impact of the reporting. [Limit: 3 entries per newsroom]
2. FEATURES & ENTERPRISE WRITING: A story, or collection or series of not more than three stories, written by an individual or team reporting on compelling topics, including, but not limited to trends, issues, personalities, travel, lifestyles, arts, criticism or topics of human interest and not working on a daily deadline. The quality of writing, including a compelling narrative form and the use of telling details and color, will be principal factors in judging. Entries should include social, digital and multimedia components, which judges will consider as key elements. Entries should include URL and/or screenshots for online components. To help judges decide the Public Service Gold Medal, each entry must include a 1-page letter noting the public impact of the reporting. [Limit: 3 entries]
3. INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING: A story, or collection of not more than 10 stories on the same subject, prepared by an individual or a team and based primarily on original reporting (as opposed to the findings of others). Stories may appear on a single day, in a consecutive series or in occasional reports reflecting continued investigation and new findings. Important factors will be the quality of the reporting and the importance of the findings to the public. Entries should include social, digital and multimedia components, which judges will consider as key elements. Entries should include URLs and/or screenshots for online components. To help judges decide the Public Service Gold Medal, each entry must include a 1-page letter noting the public impact of the reporting. [Limit: 3 entries]
4. COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP: A story, or collection of not more than five stories, written by an individual or a team, that enhances public understanding of a significant and complex subject, demonstrating a mastery of the subject, lucid writing and clear presentation. Entries should include social, digital and multimedia components, which judges will consider as a key element. Entries should include URL and/or screenshots for online components. Community engagement forums and partnerships will also be considered. To help judges decide the Public Service Gold Medal, each entry must include a 1-page letter noting the public impact of the reporting and community engagement. [Limit: 3 entries]
5. BEAT REPORTING: Up to five stories, by an individual, that demonstrate mastery of a single beat, understanding the subject matter, the range of the work, enterprise reporting and good writing. Social, digital and multimedia components will be considered if entered. [Limit: 3 entries]
6. SPORTS: A story, or collection or series of not more than three stories, written by an individual who is reporting on sports. Entries may include trends, personalities and topics of human interest. Columns will not be considered in this category. Social, digital and multimedia components will be considered if entered. [Limit: 3 entries]
7. BUSINESS: A story, or collection or series of not more than three stories, reported by an individual who is reporting on business news. Social, digital and multimedia components will be considered if entered. [Limit: 3 entries]
8. COLUMNS: Three general interest columns, other than criticism, expressing the views of the individual writer. Sports columns are allowed in this category. [Limit: 3 entries]
9. EDITORIALS: Three examples of unsigned opinion reflecting the institutional position of the newspaper and prepared substantially by the same writer. [Limit: 3 entries]
10. PAGE ONE DESIGN: Four front pages from the newspaper. Judging will be based upon use of art, design and typography along with story elements. [Limit 1 entry, constituting four front pages]
11. FEATURE PAGE DESIGN: Any Feature page of the newspaper. This includes special section covers and pages. One page constitutes an entry. Double-trucks may be submitted, in broadsheet or tabloid format. Judging will be based upon use of art, design and typography, and appropriateness to the materials displayed. [Limit: 3 entries]
12. SPORTS PAGE DESIGN: Any Sports page of the newspaper. This includes special section covers and pages. One page constitutes an entry. Double-trucks may be submitted, in broadsheet or tabloid format. Judging will be based on use of art, design and typography, and appropriateness to the materials displayed. [Limit: 3 entries]
13. SPOT NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY: A photograph or photographs taken by an individual or a team in the course of coverage of a single, unplanned and unscheduled event. [Limit: 3 entries, Up to three photos per entry]
14. FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY: Up to three photographs taken by an individual on the same subject. Photographs must reflect superior storytelling quality. Respect for the dignity of the subject is important. [Limit: 3 entries, Up to three photos per entry]
15. SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY: A photograph or photographs by an individual that increases understanding and appreciation for individual and team sports. Deadline or non-deadline. [Limit: 3 entries, Up to three photos per entry]
16. PHOTO STORY: A series of up to 15 photographs presented in print together or as part of a series telling a single story, or presented online in a single article page, as a gallery or slideshow. [Limit: 3 entries]
17. BREAKING NEWS VIDEO: Video presentations from an individual or a team on the Web site. Judges will look for innovative use of original content, storytelling, technical and journalistic quality, and value to the viewer. Entries should include URL. Entry may include supporting stories from the print or online publications for context. One video constitutes an entry; videos must not be longer than 10 minutes. [Limit: 3 entries]
18. LIVE VIDEO: Live video from an individual or team covering a news story via any social media platform. Judges will look for impact, storytelling, technical and journalistic quality. Entry can include supporting material, including but not limited to print material. Entries should include URL and be no longer than 10 minutes. Entries can be edited for length. . [Limit: 3 entries]
19. FEATURES VIDEO: Video from an individual or team. Judges will look for innovative use of original content, storytelling, technical and journalistic quality, and value to the viewer. [Limit: 3 entries]
20. MULTIMEDIA: Multimedia package can be breaking news or a non-deadline subject. Package may include a mix of video, audio, slideshows, music, text, etc. Award recognizes creative and effective use of the medium to tell a story. Judges will look for innovative use of original content in a variety of formats, reader interaction, ease of navigation, value to the audience. Entries should include URL. [Limit: 3 entries]
21. NEWS INTERACTIVE. An entry consists of single interactive element, such as a map, slide show, explanatory graphic or other element that invites audience members to interact with story elements. Entries should include URL. [Limit: 3 entries]

CATEGORIES JUDGED AT LARGE AMONG ALL CIRCULATION DIVISIONS:

22. NICHE SITE/APP: A website or mobile app separate from newspaper’s main site, or a “special channel” on the main site, that presents different content from the main site. Content/theme/topic can be from any field. Judges will look for creativity, reader interaction, attractiveness of the site, evidence of popularity, and ad support. Entries should include URL or link to app. [Limit: 3 entries]
23. EDITORIAL CARTOON: Judged for artistic ability, originality, understanding of subject, creativity and overall editorial impact. Up to five cartoons constitute an entry. Independent or contracted (freelance) cartoonists based in the state of Florida may enter. [Limit: 3 entries}

SPANISH-LANGUAGE CATEGORIES:

The three Spanish-language categories below will be judged in a single division. In addition, Spanish-language publications may enter categories for photography (Categories 14-17, above) and design (Categories 11-12), and all will be judged in Division C (daily newspapers under 50,000 circulation).

S1. NEWS REPORTING: A selection of up to three news stories (or a single series), by an individual or team that shows exceptional reporting and writing and highlights a significant impact in the community. Entries should include social, digital and multimedia components, which judges will consider as key elements. [Limit: 3 entries per paper]

S2. SPORTS: A story, or collection or series of not more than three stories, written by an individual or team reporting on sports. Entries may include trends, personalities and topics of human interest. Entries should include social, digital and multimedia components, which judges will consider as key elements.  [Limit: 3 entries per paper]

S3. FEATURES & ENTERPRISE WRITING: A story, or collection or series of not more than three stories, written by an individual or team reporting on compelling topics, including, but not limited to trends, issues, personalities, travel, lifestyles, arts, criticism or topics of human interest and not working on a daily deadline. The quality of writing, including a compelling narrative form and the use of telling details and color, will be the principal factors in judging. Entries should include social, digital and multimedia components, which judges will consider as a key element. Entries should include URL and/or screenshots for online. [Limit: 3 entries per paper]

STUDENT CATEGORIES:

C1.BREAKING NEWS REPORTING: Reporting, by an individual or a team, of a single breaking news event across all available publishing platforms. Each entry is limited to coverage from a single day. Entries should include social, digital and print components. Entries should include URL and/or screenshots for online components. [Limit: 3 entries per student publication]

C2. FEATURES & ENTERPRISE WRITING: A story, or collection or series of not more than three stories, written by an individual or team reporting on compelling topics, including, but not limited to trends, issues, personalities, travel, lifestyles, arts, criticism or topics of human interest and not working on a daily deadline. The quality of writing, including a compelling narrative form and the use of telling details and color, will be the principal factors in judging. Entries should include social, digital and multimedia components, which judges will consider as a key element. Entries should include URL and/or screenshots for online components. [Limit 5 entries per individual or student media organization]

C4. COMMENTARY: Individual or group column, blog or other commentary on a single theme that engages readers using information, commentary and multimedia effectively. (“Theme” is interpreted broadly: Campus life, books, politics, sports team, movie reviews, opinion, etc.) Entries must include PDFs, URLs and/or screenshots of up to three examples. [Limit: five entries per student media organization]

C5. SPORTS: A story, or collection or series of not more than three stories, reported by an individual who is covering sports. Entries may include trends, personalities and topics of human interest. Columns will not be considered in this category. Submit PDFs, URLs and/or screenshots. [Limit: five entries per student media organization]

C6. MULTIMEDIA: Multimedia package can be breaking news, sports or a non-deadline subject. Package may include a mix of video, audio, slideshows, music, text, etc. Award recognizes creative and effective use of the medium to tell a story. Judges will look for innovative use of original content in a variety of formats, reader interaction, ease of navigation, value to the audience. Entries should include URL.

C7. NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY: Still images taken by an individual or a team of a single event or topic related to news or feature coverage. Up 10 images per entry. Include PDFs, JPGs or URLs.

C8. SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY: Still images taken by an individual or a team of a single event or topic related to sports coverage. Up 10 images per entry. Include PDFs, JPGs or URLs.

C9. VIDEO STORYTELLING:  Video presentations from an individual or a team on the Web site. Judges will look for innovative use of original content, storytelling, technical and journalistic quality, and value to the viewer. Entries should include URL. Entry may include supporting stories from the print or online publications for context. One video constitutes an entry; videos must not be longer than 10 minutes. [Limit: 3 entries per individual or student media organization.]

C10. BEST STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR: Daily, non-daily and digital-only publications may be entered. For publications that distribute a print edition, please include two editions from Jan.-April, 2017 and two editions from September-December, 2017. Each entry should include the URL for the publication’s main web site. Each entry should include a one-page cover letter, of not more than 600 words making the case for why the publication and/or site should be named best student publication. The entry may include pdfs or URLs for up to five individual stories, columns, photographs or videos or multimedia presentations that support the case. One entry per organization.