Florida Society of News Editors
2010 Contest Categories

(For work in 2009)

• Contest general info
• Contest rules
• Submission of photo and graphic entries
• Entry form

1/13 correction:

Headline writing (#9) and editorial cartoon (#14) categories added, subsequent categories renumbered.

2/11 correction:

Spanish-language categories edited, limits changed to 2 entries per paper and a clarification on requirements per entry.

All categories are judged by circulation division (Division A, more than 125,000 daily; Division B, 40,000 to 125,000 daily; and Division C, under 40,000 daily).

Please use the same form for online and Spanish-language categories. Deadline for all entries: Friday, Feb. 19, 2010.

* FSNE GOLD MEDAL FOR PUBLIC SERVICE: The FSNE Gold Medal for Public Service is awarded for work of meritorious public service by a newspaper through distinguished reporting, writing and presentation. The medals will be awarded in each of three circulation classes from among the First Place winners in the four top categories: Daily Deadline, Features, Investigative and Explanatory. All the judges participate in selecting the Gold Medal winners. Each entry in those four categories must include a 1-page letter noting the public impact of the reporting. The contest chairs shall report the three winners to the FSNE president. The names of the winners shall be kept confidential until they are announced at the conclusion of the Awards Ceremony. Newspapers do not enter in this category separately.

WRITING CATEGORIES(For each entry, please send an original and three copies):

1. DAILY DEADLINE: Reporting and writing, by an individual or a team, under the pressure of a daily deadline that reflects thorough coverage of a single spot news event. Each entry is limited to coverage from a single day. Entries should include online components, which judges will consider as a key element. Lack of online material will not disqualify an entry, but judges will note its strength, weakness or absence. Entries should include URL and/or screenshots or printouts 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 per paper]

2. FEATURES & ARTS WRITING: A story, or collection or series of not more than three stories, written by an individual or team reporting on trends, 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 online components, which judges will consider as a key element. Lack of online material will not disqualify an entry, but judges will note its strength, weakness or absence. Entries should include URL and/or screenshots or printouts 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 online components, which judges will consider as a key element. Lack of online material will not disqualify an entry, but judges will note its strength, weakness or absence. Entries should include URL and/or screenshots or printouts 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. EXPLANATORY REPORTING: 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 online components, which judges will consider as a key element. Lack of online material will not disqualify an entry, but judges will note its strength, weakness or absence. Entries should include URL and/or screenshots or printouts 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]

5. BEAT REPORTING: Five stories, by an individual, that demonstrates mastery of a single beat, understanding, range of work, enterprise reporting and good writing. [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. [Limit: 3 entries]

7. BUSINESS: A story, or collection or series of not more than three stories, written by an individual who is reporting on business news. [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. HEADLINE WRITING: Three to six news and/or feature headlines representing the work of a single editor. No team entries will be allowed, and no individual can enter more than once. Entries must include the headline and complete story. Submissions may be accompanied by one-paragraph descriptions detailing difficulty of count, deadline, or circumstances that would not otherwise be obvious. [Limit: 3 entries]

10. EDITORIALS: Three examples of unsigned opinion reflecting the institutional position of the newspaper and prepared substantially by the same writer. [Limit: 3 entries]

DESIGN/VISUAL CATEGORIES (See detailed instructions, posted soon on fsne.org, for submitting photo and design entries. Please make sure all URL sites are active and live).

11. PAGE ONE DESIGN: Five front-pages, consisting of three required and two from any other editions during the 2009 contest year. The three required are: Wednesday, Jan. 21, the presidential inauguration; Friday, June 26, the death of Michael Jackson; and any date that highlights the economic crisis. These dates are chosen to highlight coverage of a major spot news story or expected news event. Judging will be based upon use of art, design and typography. [Limit: 1 entry (constituting five front pages)]

12. FEATURE PAGE DESIGN: Any Feature page of the newspaper. This includes special section covers and pages. One page constitutes an entry. Pages consisting substantially of photographs are not allowed. 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]

13. SPORTS PAGE DESIGN: Any Sports page of the newspaper. This includes special section covers and pages. One page constitutes an entry. Pages consisting substantially of photographs are not allowed. 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]

14. EDITORIAL CARTOON: Judged for artistic ability, originality, understanding of subject, creativity and overall editorial impact. One cartoon constitutes an entry. [Limit: 3 entries]

15. NEWS GRAPHICS/ILLUSTRATIONS: Charted information, diagram, graph or illustration that effectively explains or tells a story. One graphic or illustration constitutes an entry. [Limit: 3 entries]

16. SPOT NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY: A photograph taken by an individual or a team in the course of daily coverage of a single, unplanned and unscheduled event. [Limit: 3 entries, 1 photo per entry]

17. FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY: A photograph taken by an individual or team on the same subject. Photographs must be unposed, reflecting superior story-telling quality. Respect for the dignity of the subject is important. [Limit: 3 entries, 1 photo per entry]

18. SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY: A photograph by an individual or team that increase understanding and appreciation for individual and team sports. Deadline or non-deadline. [Limit: 3 entries, 1 photo per entry]

19. PHOTO STORY: A series of up to 15 photographs presented together or as part of a series telling a single story. [Limit: 3 entries, 15 photos per entry]

20. PHOTOGRAPHY BY A JOURNALIST NOT AFFILIATED WITH A NEWS ORGANIZATION. Best photography by a community journalist not affiliated with a news organization. Photographs can be spot news, feature, sports or photo story. (Limit: 3 entries, 1 photo per spot news, feature and sports photography; up to 15 photos for a photo story.)

ONLINE CATEGORIES (Please make sure all URL sites are active and live).

21. ONLINE BREAKING NEWS: News coverage presented during the first 24 hours after an event. May include stories, photos, graphics, multimedia, slideshows, galleries, etc. Entries must include URLs or screen shots. [Limit: 3 entries]

22. BLOG/ONLINE COMMENTARY: Individual or group blog or online commentary on a single theme that engages readers using information, commentary and multimedia effectively. ("Theme" is interpreted broadly: Local affairs, books, politics, sports team, opinion, etc.) Entries must include URL and screenshots or printouts of up to three individual days' entries. [Limit: 3 entries]

23. BLOG/ONLINE COMMENTARY BY A JOURNALIST NOT AFFILIATED WITH A NEWS ORGANIZATION: An individual community journalist or group blog or online commentary on a single theme that engages readers using information, commentary and multimedia effectively. ("Theme" is interpreted broadly: Local affairs, books, politics, sports team, opinion, etc.) Entries must include URL and screenshots or printouts of up to three individual days' entries. [Limit: 3 entries]

24. BREAKING NEWS VIDEO: Video presentations from an individual or a team on the newspaper's Web site presented during the first 24 hours after an event that reflects thorough coverage of a single spot news event. Judges will look for innovative use of original content, storytelling, technical and journalistic quality, and value to the reader. Entries should include URL or a disk with the video in a .mov file. 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]

25. NON-DEADLINE VIDEO: Feature video packages or longer enterprise video projects from the newspaper's Web site. Award recognizes creative and effective use of the medium to tell a story. Judges will look for innovative use of original content, storytelling, technical and journalistic quality, and value to the reader. Entries should include URL or a disk with the video in a .mov file. 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]

26. VIDEO FROM A JOURNALIST NOT AFFILIATED WITH A NEWS ORGANIZATION: Video presentations from a community journalism Web site. This can be breaking news, feature packages or longer enterprise projects. Award recognizes creative and effective use of the medium to tell a story. Judges will look for innovative use of original content, storytelling, technical and journalistic quality, and value to the reader. Entries should include URL or a disk with the video in a .mov file. Entry may include supporting stories from online publications for context. One video constitutes an entry; videos must not be longer than 10 minutes. [Limit: 3 entries]

27. MULTIMEDIA: Multimedia package from the newspaper's Web site. This 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 reader. Entries should include URL. [Limit: 3 entries]

28. INNOVATION THAT DRIVES DIGITAL AUDIENCE: This will honor journalistic excellence, by an individual or a team, devoted to readership growth online. The entry can be a single effort or a portfolio, presented to the judges in visual, digital or text format. It should show innovation and impact on audience growth. The judges will consider authenticity, information value, creativity and impact. Please explain in a cover letter the results that show online audience growth and include any supporting material. [Limit: 1 entry]

29. BREAKING NEWS ONLINE SLIDESHOW: Online photo slide presentation from the first 24 hours after a news event. Award recognizes effective use of the medium. Entries must include URL. [Limit: 3 entries]

30. ENTERPRISE ONLINE SLIDESHOW: Online photo slide presentation that effectively tells a story, reflecting superior story-telling quality and not produced on daily deadline. Award recognizes effective use of the medium. Entries must include URL. [Limit: 3 entries]

31. NICHE SITE/CHANNEL: A web site 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. [Limit: 3 entries]

32. HOME PAGE DESIGN FOR A COMMUNITY JOURNALISM WEB SITE. The home page of a Web site not affiliated with a news organization. Judges will look for clear and easy navigation, functionality, ease of use, range of coverage, creativity, attractiveness and timeliness. Entries should include URL. [Limit: 1 entry]

33. USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN BREAKING NEWS. This will honor creative and effective use, by an individual or a team, of social media to tell a story within the first 72 hours of a single news event. This includes the use of Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube and other social media to gather or disseminate information, and serve a community. The entry can be a single effort or a portfolio, presented to the judges in visual, digital or text format. (Limit: 1 entry)

SPANISH-LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER CATEGORIES:

All Spanish-language entries will be judged in a single division, regardless of circulation size and frequency of publication. For entries in each category, please send an original and two copies.

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. [Limit: 2 entries per paper]

S2. SPORTS WRITING: 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. [Limit: 2 entries per paper]

S3. FEATURES WRITING: A story, or collection or series of not more than three stories, written by an individual or team reporting on trends, personalities, travel, lifestyles, arts, criticism or topics of human interest and not working on a daily deadline. [Limit: 2 entries per paper]

S4. DESIGN: Any page of the newspaper, including 1A. This includes special section covers and pages. One page constitutes an entry. Pages consisting substantially of photographs are not allowed. 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: 2 entries per paper].