ELIGIBILITY
The competition is open to all daily and weekly newspapers, radio stations and television stations, and news-providing websites serving Greater Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey and Northern and Central Delaware.
CONDITIONS
All entries must have been published or broadcast between January 1 and December 31, 2014.
All newspaper story entries must be marked with the date of publication and the name of the author(s). They should be mailed to Pat Delsi, 1100 Prospect Ridge Boulevard, Haddon Heights, NJ 08035-1643. Four copies of each entry, either originals or photocopies are required. Articles may be printed from electronic libraries. Only one copy of each photo entry is required and it should be submitted by email to Tom Bergbauer at tbergbauer@verizon.net.
Brief explanatory letters, if warranted, are limited to 500 words.
Radio and television entries must be marked with the date of broadcast and name of reporter(s). They should be mailed to Pat Delsi, 1100 Prospect Ridge Boulevard, Haddon Heights, NJ 08035-1643.
Websites should mail four copies of each story submitted to Mr. Delsi, along with the date they were published and their URL. If it is felt that a printed version of the story does not do it justice, please submit a short note requesting that we should visit the URL. For those entering the Best Overall Website category, please print your site's address on the entry form along with emailing it to tbergbauer@verizon.net with Best Overall Website Entry as the subject line.
"A single entry form must accompany each entry in all categories. Forms may be photocopied. They are available on line at www.phillyppa.com
The forms must be submitted by mail to Mr. Delsi's address for each entry in all categories -- including websites and photography -- along with the check.
DEADLINE
All entries must be postmarked by Monday, March 16, 2015. Those received after that date will be rejected.
ENTRY FEES
An entry fee of $30 will be required for the first three entries in any category. There will be a $5 charge for any additional entry. Checks should be payable to the Philadelphia Press Association.
DESCRIPTION OF CATEGORIES
ALL MEDIA COMPETITIONS
Open to daily and weekly newspapers, radio and television stations and news websites.
GRAND AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
The aim of this category is to correct inequities to any segment of society or improve the quality of life within the news provider's coverage area. The winner of this award will be selected from the four Public Service winners.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Only printed copies of the editorials will be accepted. This requirement applies to radio and television stations as well as newspapers and websites.
Depth of thought and courage are criteria used in determining a winner.
NEWSPAPER COMPETITIONS
BREAKING NEWS – DAILY ONLY
A single story and sidebars on a breaking news event by one or more reporters. Judging is based on readability, accuracy, completeness, reader interest and resourcefulness in overcoming obstacles at deadline.
A notation on the time span between assignment and completion must accompany entry.
PUBLIC SERVICE – DAILY AND WEEKLY DIVISIONS
The aim of this category is to correct inequities to any segment of society or generally to improve the quality of life within the news provider's coverage area. A brief explanatory letter must accompany each entry outlining the project and any results it generated.
ENTERPRISE REPORTING – DAILY AND WEEKLY DIVISIONS
This category recognizes the initiative and resourcefulness of a reporter(s) in uncovering newsworthy happenings that otherwise might not have been reported. A brief explanatory letter must accompany each entry outlining the project.
NEWSPAPER WRITING – DAILY AND WEEKLY DIVISIONS
An article or series to be judged on human interest, reader interest, quality of writing, originality, style and local appeal.
BUSINESS COVERAGE – DAILY AND WEEKLY DIVISIONS
A news story, feature, or series to be judged on quality, clarity of writing, originality appeal, impact, and technical knowledge.
SPORTS COVERAGE – DAILY AND WEEKLY DIVISIONS
This is aimed at recognizing excellence in writing. There is no restriction on subject matter and it need not appear on a regular basis. Judging will be based on treatment of the issue, local appeal, originality and quality of writing.
COLUMN WRITING DAILY and WEEKLY DIVISIONS
Aimed at recognizing excellence in writing. There is no restriction on subject matter and it need not appear on a regular basis. Judging will be based on treatment of the issue, local appeal, originality and quality of writing.
HEADLINE WRITING – DAILY AND WEEKLY COMBINED
This entry will be judged on style, originality and accuracy in summarizing the story. Entries should include the headline and at least the first four paragraphs of the story.
NEWSPAPER PHOTOGRAPHY – DAILY AND WEEKLY DIVISIONS
Entries must be submitted electronically to tbergbauer@verizon.net. All must include the date of publication with page number.
BREAKING NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY – DAILY AND WEEKLY DIVISIONS.
This is for a single photo of an unscheduled event for which there was no opportunity to plan coverage.
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY – DAILY AND WEEKLY DIVISIONS
This is for a single photo of any subject other than a sporting event or sports news.
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY – DAILY AND WEEKLY DIVISIONS
This is for a single photo from any scheduled sporting event.
TELEVISION COMPETITIONS
PUBLIC SERVICE
The aim of this category is to correct inequities to any segment of society or generally to
improve the quality of life within the station's coverage area.
A brief explanatory letter must accompany each entry outlining the project and any results it generated.
BREAKING NEWS
Coverage of a breaking news event by one or more reporters. It may include several reports. Judging is based on accuracy, completeness, interest, and resourcefulness in overcoming obstacles to getting the news out quickly.
TELEVISION FEATURE
A story or series that will be judged on human interest, viewer interest, quality of production, originality, style and appeal.
TELEVISION WEATHER COVERAGE
This will be judged on reporting weather predictions and how the region copes with weather extremes.
TELEVISION SPORTS COVERAGE
This will include coverage of professional and scholastic competition.
RADIO COMPETITIONS
PUBLIC SERVICE
The aim of this category is to correct inequities to any segment of society or generally to
improve the quality of life within the news provider's coverage area.
A brief explanatory letter must accompany each entry outlining the project and any results it generated.
ENTERPRISE REPORTING
This category recognizes the initiative and resourcefulness of a reporter(s) in uncovering newsworthy happenings that otherwise might not have been reported. A brief explanatory letter must accompany each entry outlining the project.
BREAKING NEWS
Coverage of a breaking news event by one or more reporters. It may include several reports. Judging is based on accuracy, completeness, interest, and resourcefulness in overcoming obstacles to getting the news out quickly.
RADIO FEATURE
A story or series that will be judged on human interest, viewer interest, quality of production, originality, style and appeal.
WEBSITE COMPETITION
The competition will have a corporate division for contestants affiliated with another media outlet, and an independent one for those that are not. The categories are:
BEST OVERALL WEBSITE
PUBLIC SERVICE
The aim of this category is to correct inequities to any segment of society or
improve the quality of life within the news provider's coverage area.
NEWS COVERAGE
SPORTS COVERAGE
FEATURE WRITING