PHILADELPHIA PRESS ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL AWARDS COMPETITION
ELIGIBILITY
The competition is open to all daily and weekly newspapers, radio stations, and television stations serving the Greater Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey and Northern and Central Delaware areas.
CONDITIONS
All entries must have been published or broadcast between January 1 and December 31,
2009 inclusive.
Entries are limited to three in each category from any one source, except in the Overall Weekly Coverage category. This means a newspaper, radio station or television station may submit three entries in each category. The same limitation applies to individuals. Should an individual or a newspaper, radio station, or television station duplicate their entry in a
different category, judges reserve the right to list that entry in a category they feel
most reflects that entry.
All newspaper entries must be marked with the date it appeared and the name of
its author(s). Four copies of each entry, either originals or four photocopies are required. Only one copy of each photo entry is required. Brief explanatory letters, wherever warranted, should not exceed 500 words.
Radio and television entries must be marked with the date of broadcast and the name of the reporter(s).
A single entry form also must accompany each entry in all categories. Forms may be photocopied.
DEADLINE
All entries must be postmarked by Monday, April 5, 2010. Those received
after that date will be rejected by the Philadelphia Press Association.
Entries should be addressed to the Philadelphia Press Association c/o Pat Delsi, 1100 Prospect Ridge Blvd., Haddon Heights, NJ 08035. Persons with questions about the contest should contact Pat Delsi at (856) 365-5600.
ENTRY FEES
An entry fee of $30 per category will be required. Checks should be made out to
the Philadelphia Press Association. The entry fee is waived for members of the PPA whose dues for 2010 were previously paid. Membership in the PPA costs $30 per year.
AWARDS
A plaque will be awarded for first place in each category. Certificates will be given for second place, third place, and honorable mention. Judges reserve the right to limit the number of awards in each category.
All first place winners will be guests of the association at an awards reception.
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DESCRIPTION OF CONTESTS
ALL MEDIA COMPETITIONS
(Open to Daily and Weekly Newspapers, Radio and Television stations)
GRAND AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
The aim of this category is to correct inequities thrust upon any segment of society or generally improve the quality of life within the newspaper's, radio station's, or television station's coverage area. The winner of this award will be selected from the four Public Service winners.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Only printed copies of the editorial will be accepted. This stipulation applies to radio and television stations as well.
This category encourages excellence in editorial comment. Depth of thought and
courage are the criteria used in determining a winner.
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NEWSPAPER COMPETITIONS
SPOT NEWS COVERAGE DAILY ONLY
A single story or a story and sidebars on a spot news event by one or more reporters. Judging is based on readability, accuracy, completeness, reader interest and resourcefulness in overcoming obstacles.
A notation on the time span between assignment and completion must accompany each entry.
OVERALL COVERAGE WEEKLY ONLY
Weekly newspapers are encouraged to submit two (2) editions of their choice that will be judged on the overall content and coverage of local issues. Only 1 copy each of the two (2) editions need to be submitted.
PUBLIC SERVICE
DAILY and WEEKLY DIVISIONS
The aim of this category is to correct inequities thrust upon any segment of society or generally improve the quality of life within the newspaper's, radio station's, television station's or
magazine's coverage area.
A brief explanatory letter must accompany each entry outlining the project and any results from it.
ENTERPRISE REPORTING
DAILY and WEEKLY DIVISIONS
This category recognizes the initiative and the resourcefulness of a reporter or reporters 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 spot news story, a series, or a feature to be judged on quality, clarity of writing, originality, appeal, impact and technical knowledge.
SPORTS COVERAGE
DAILY and WEEKLY DIVISIONS
A news story, a series, or a feature to be judged on quality, clarity of writing and local appeal.
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.
SPECIAL SUBJECT WRITING
DAILY and WEEKLY DIVISIONS
A story or a story and sidebars on an area of special interest such as sports, business, health, science and the environment. Judging will be based on readability, appeal, and technical knowledge of the subject matter.
HEADLINE WRITING
DAILY and WEEKLY COMBINED
Judging is based 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
All entries must be black and white prints. Color prints will not be accepted unless they are re-printed in black and white. Entries must not exceed 11 inches by 14 inches. Entries also must include proof of publication.
SPOT NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY
DAILY and WEEKLY DIVISIONS
This award will be for a single photo of an unscheduled event for which there was no opportunity for planning of its coverage.
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
DAILY and WEEKLY DIVISIONS
This award will be for a single photo on any other subject except sporting events.
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
DAILY and WEEKLY DIVISIONS
This award will be for a single photo for any scheduled sporting event.
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TELEVISION COMPETITIONS
PUBLIC SERVICE
The aim of this category is to correct inequities thrust upon any segment of society or generally improve the quality of life within the newspaper's, radio station's, television station's or
magazine's coverage area.
A brief explanatory letter must accompany each entry outlining the project and any results from it.
ENTERPRISE REPORTING
This category recognizes the initiative and the resourcefulness of a reporter or reporters in uncovering newsworthy happenings that otherwise might not have been reported.
A brief explanatory letter must accompany each entry outlining the project.
SPOT NEWS
A story or a story and sidebars on a spot news event covered by one or more reporters. Judging is based on accuracy, completeness, interest and resourcefulness in overcoming obstacles.
TELEVISION FEATURE
A story or a series to be judged on human interest, viewer interest, quality of production, originality, style and appeal. Maximum length of the entry not to exceed 10 minutes.
TELEVISION MAGAZINE FEATURE
A locally written and produced story or series on a single subject relating to people, places or events. Maximum length of the entry not to exceed 30 minutes.
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RADIO COMPETITIONS
PUBLIC SERVICE
The aim of this category is to correct inequities thrust upon any segment of society or generally improve the quality of life within the newspaper's, radio station's, television station's or
magazine's coverage area.
A brief explanatory letter must accompany each entry outlining the project and any results from it.
ENTERPRISE REPORTING
This category recognizes the initiative and the resourcefulness of a reporter or reporters in uncovering newsworthy happenings that otherwise might not have been reported.
A brief explanatory letter must accompany each entry outlining the project.
SPOT NEWS
A story or a story and sidebars on a spot news event by one or more reporters. Judging is based on accuracy, completeness, interest and resourcefulness in overcoming obstacles.
RADIO FEATURE
A story or series to be judged on interest, quality of presentation, originality, style and appeal.
