You are on page 1of 5

A CALL FOR ENTRIES . . .

Nominations invited for 2019 Excellence in Journalism, Journalist of the Year Awards

Through the Excellence in Journalism competition, Detroit SPJ will honor outstanding achievements during 2018 by print,
broadcast, photo and online journalists in southeastern Michigan. Our chapter also will select a Journalist of the Year, a
Young Journalist of the Year and scholarship awardees.
Judges for the Excellence in Journalism competition are working journalists from other SPJ chapters. Proceeds from the
awards banquet and the competition are applied to the Detroit chapter’s Larry Laurain scholarship fund.
Deadline for all entries will be Sunday, February 17, 2019. That includes Excellence in Journalism, Journalist of the Year
and Young Journalist nominations, as well as Laurain Scholarship applications.
Winners in all categories will be honored at the awards banquet on Thursday, May 2, 2019, at the San Marino Club, 1685
East Big Beaver Road, Troy. Call (313) 288-9546 for tickets or table reservations.

General Information
(updated 2/11/19)
NOTE: Several categories are being changed/consolidated, and a few categories were eliminated this year. We have also
added new categories: Community/Local News, Racial Justice, Environment, Education and Health.

1. All entries will be submitted online through Omni contests. 7. Judges will take into consideration the SPJ Code of Ethics
Mailed tearsheets or other materials will not be accepted. in evaluating all entries.
2. Entries must have been published or broadcast in Southeast 8. Entries must include the text of any correction or
Michigan between Jan. 1, 2018, and Dec. 31, 2018. clarifications made in connection with that entry. Include a
Questions on geographic eligibility may be directed to: summary of written challenges concerning the accuracy or
spjdetroit@gmail.com. fairness of the entry (including letters to the editor, whether
published or not), or any notice of legal action. As an aid to
3. An entry may be submitted in only one contest category. judges who might not be familiar with this coverage area,
4. Entrants do not need to be members of the Society of include an explanation or refutation of any objections.
Professional Journalists.
9. Judges may declare “no winner” in any category at their
5. All contest entries must be the product of original writing, discretion. All decisions by the judges, including interpretation
reporting or production by the entrant(s). This contest is of these rules, are final. Judges reserve the right to disqualify
intended to reward individual achievement. In most cases, the any entry. In the case of disputes, the Detroit chapter’s board
name of the entrant(s) should be that of an individual or of directors will make final determinations.
individuals and the news organization they represent should be
10. Entry fee is $30 for each entry. Payment must be received
listed under media affiliation. News organizations should be
by the entry deadline and is non-refundable.
listed as “entrant” only for categories which require
comprehensive team effort involving more than four 11. Fee for one, single entry is $10 if accompanied by a
individuals. completed, new membership form and annual dues payment
for national and local chapter membership. Membership
6. All entries must be in the correct presentation format. See
applications are available at www.spjdetroit.org.
information provided with each class. Both broadcast and
print entries may contain online elements. 12. Entries must be received no later than midnight, Sunday,
February 17, 2019. See specific attachment requirements for
each class, inside.
Deadline: Sunday, February 17, 2019
This is the deadline for: broadcast, print and online journalism entries
Journalist of the Year and Young Journalist of the Year nominations.
Laurain Scholarship application deadline is Sunday, February 17, 2019
Questions? Call (313) 288-9546 or e-mail spjdetroit@gmail.com.

BROADCAST
Deadline: Sunday, February 17, 2019
Radio: Upload audio files. Television: Entry should include video file of reporter package
Categories:
Spot or breaking news reporting: Single-day coverage of Best videography: Best visual storytelling in a story or
breaking or developing news produced under deadline newscast. The winning entry will demonstrate excellence in
pressure. the use of videography and sound.
General news reporting: A story or series of stories resulting Best news editing: Best editing techniques used to tell a story.
from a journalist’s initiative, but excluding coverage of This can be a single story or series including outboarded
breaking or developing news. elements and graphics.
Feature reporting: A report or series not considered "hard Consumer/watchdog/investigative reporting: Provides an
news" that includes profiles, human interest stories, etc. example of looking out for citizens’ interests such as saving a
Submit up to 3 examples on a single topic. family from losing a home or helping correct an injustice.
Sports reporting: A report or series of reports within a regular Community/Local News Reporting: A single or series of
newscast or of a sporting event. report(s) covering the effects of a situation on specific
Automotive reporting: Includes coverage of OEMs, suppliers communities or neighborhoods.
or dealers. Entries will be judged on quality, timeliness and Racial Justice Reporting: A single or series of report(s) that
exclusiveness. If being first was important, provide have helped end racial injustice and instead promote equality
documentation of how others followed. on the basis of race.
Newscast: One single complete, regularly scheduled news Environment Reporting: A single or series of report(s) on a
program. broad range of environmental topics.
News special and documentary: A program 15 minutes or Education Reporting: A single or series of report(s) on a
longer broadcast outside of a regular newscast and prompted broad range of educational topics.
by breaking news or a major issue of community concern. Health Reporting: A single or series of report(s) on a broad
This may be a live or taped original broadcast. range of health topics.
Open-government reporting: To individuals or news
organizations for significant, effective coverage promoting
open government in Michigan.

PRINT
Deadline: Sunday, February 17, 2019
Class A: Stories/photos published in any newspaper of greater than 100,000 circulation; by wire services; or in
magazines, trade publications and non-daily entertainment/alternative newspapers of greater than 50,000 circulation.
Class B: Stories/photos published in daily newspapers of less than 100,000 circulation. Publications in Class B may
choose to compete in Class A.
Class C: Stories/photos published in any non-daily newspaper, magazine or trade publication of less than 50,000
circulation. Publications in Class C may choose to compete in Class A or Class B.
Class D: This class is for in-house and custom publications such as those produced by universities, membership
organizations or other nonprofits and businesses.
NOTE: Determine an entry’s circulation classification by its publication use. For chains and group publications sharing
editorial or photographic copy across several publications or nameplates, the largest circulation of any single publication
within the group should be used; if the story or photo was used only in one publication, use that publication’s circulation.
Categories:
Spot or breaking news reporting: Single-day coverage of Sports column writing: Sports commentary appearing on a
breaking or developing news written on deadline. regular basis by a single writer. Submit 3 columns. No blogs.
General news reporting: A story or series resulting from a Sports reporting: A single game, news or feature story
journalist’s initiative, but excluding coverage of breaking or related to sports. No columns.
developing news. Submit up to 3 examples on a single topic. Editorial writing: An individual editorial that appears on the
Feature reporting: A report or series not considered "hard editorial or op-ed page. No columns.
news" that includes profiles, human interest stories, etc. Headline writing: An individual (not team) award. Submit 5
Submit up to 3 examples on a single topic. headlines by one headline writer. Include stories.
Consumer/watchdog/investigative reporting: A story or News photography: A single, compelling photo of a breaking-
series of stories that looks out for citizens' interests, such as news event.
saving a family's home, helping correct injustice or exposing Feature photography: A single, compelling photo not of a
corruption. Print and online resources may be used. Submit up breaking-news event.
to 3 examples on a single topic. Community/Local News Reporting: A single or series of
Best explanatory story: Helps readers make sense of a report(s) covering the effects of a situation on specific
complex topic. Print and online resources may be used. communities or neighborhoods.
Submit up to 3 related stories. Racial Justice Reporting: A single or series of report(s) that
Open-government reporting: To individuals or news have helped end racial injustice and instead promote equality
organizations for significant, effective coverage promoting on the basis of race.
open government in Michigan. Submit up to 3 examples on a Environment Reporting: A single or series of report(s) on a
single topic. broad range of environmental topics.
General column writing: Regularly appearing viewpoint, Education Reporting: A single or series of report(s) on a
business, features or news columns by a single writer. Submit broad range of educational topics.
3 columns. No blogs. Health Reporting: A single or series of report(s) on a broad
range of health topics.

Print, newspapers only


Sports photography: A single, compelling photo featuring Inside news page design: Newspapers only. Submit a 1-page
sports. or a two-page layout.
Page one design: Newspapers only. Submit a 1-page layout. Sports page design: Newspapers only. Submit a 1-page or a
Feature page design: Newspapers only. Submit a 1-page or a two-page layout.
two-page layout.

Print, non-daily publications only


Cover design: Magazines and some tabloid newspapers. Magazine spread design: Magazines and some tabloid
(Depending on the format, tabloid newspapers have the option newspapers. (Depending on the format, tabloid newspapers
of entering as page one newspaper or magazine cover, but not have the option of entering as a newspaper feature or
both.) Submit a 1-page layout. magazine spread, but not both.) Submit a 1- or 2-page layout.

Open print categories


Automotive reporting: Includes coverage of OEMs, suppliers Criticism: Includes art, music, film, book, theatre and
or dealers. Entries will be judged on quality, timeliness and restaurant reviews or recurring cultural commentary. Submit 3
exclusiveness. If being first was important, provide examples.
documentation of how others followed. Editorial cartoon: Submit 3 cartoons.
Car review: Submit 3 reviews from a single writer. Informational graphics: A storytelling graphic that illustrates
an aspect of a news or feature story.

In-house/custom publications only


Feature reporting: A report or series of reports on a subject Feature design: Submit a 1- or 2-page layout on a single
not considered “hard news.” This includes profiles and human subject in JPG or PDF format.
interest pieces. Submit up to 3 examples on one topic. Photo: A single, compelling photo on any topic.
Cover design: Submit a 1-page layout. Use of photos/graphics: Submit up to 6 samples in JPG or
PDF format.
ONLINE
Deadline: Sunday, February 17, 2019

All news websites, whether independent or affiliated with print or broadcast news organizations, may enter. But an entry
is eligible in only one class: print, broadcast or online.

How to submit: The website address and directions on how to access the site, including passwords, must be on the
entry form. Include the URL and passwords needed to access the site. Entries that do not supply this information will be
disqualified.

Categories:
Spot or breaking news reporting: Single-day coverage of Digital-media presentation: A single entry demonstrating
breaking or developing news written on deadline. excellence in blending multiple media into a single online
General news reporting: A story or series of stories resulting presentation.
from a journalist’s initiative, but excluding coverage of Community/Local News Reporting: A single or series of
breaking or developing news. report(s) covering the effects of a situation on specific
Feature reporting: A report or series not considered "hard communities or neighborhoods.
news" that includes profiles, human interest stories, etc. Racial Justice Reporting: A single or series of report(s) that
Submit up to 3 examples on a single topic. have helped end racial injustice and instead promote equality
Consumer/watchdog/investigative reporting: A story or on the basis of race.
series of stories that looks out for citizens' interests, such as Environment Reporting: A single or series of report(s) on a
saving a family's home, helping correct injustice or exposing broad range of environmental topics.
corruption. Print and online resources may be used. Submit up Education Reporting: A single or series of report(s) on a
to 3 examples on a single topic. broad range of educational topics.
Health Reporting: A single or series of report(s) on a broad
range of health topics.

SPJ Detroit Journalist, Young Journalist of the Year


Nomination deadline: Sunday, February 17, 2019
SPJ Detroit’s Journalist and Young Journalist of the Year paid, full-time work experience (or equivalent experience if
competition is open to all journalists (reporters, editors, freelance). Internships do not qualify.
producers, anchors, photojournalists, etc.) in southeastern
Each nomination must include the following:
Michigan. Nominees will be judged on the overall quality of
their body of work during 2018. Nominations for JoY and 1. Nomination letter from a supervisor stating why the
YJoY must be received by Sunday, February 17, 2019. individual should be considered as the SPJ Detroit Journalist
or Young Journalist of the Year. Freelance nominations
No entry fee is required. must include letters from two (2) supervisors.
Judges will consider the nominee’s impact on the practice of 2. A resume/work history.
journalism through outstanding work or exemplary service
to or leadership in the profession. 3. Work samples. For Journalist of the Year, submit
minimum 5 and maximum 10 samples. For Young
For Young Journalist of the Year: Nominees must be 30 Journalist, submit minimum 3 and maximum 5 samples.
years old or younger. Nominees may have turned 31 in 2018 Include a brief explanation of each. Include context for
and still be eligible. Nominees must have at least 1 year of judges unfamiliar with the market. Freelancers must submit
10 samples.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Application deadline: Sunday, February 17, 2019

The Detroit chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists classes, or clips published in student or professional
will award a $2,500 Larry Laurain journalism grant to a publications. Financial need is considered.
Michigan resident who is or will be a sophomore, junior or
senior in 2019. The award may be used at any four-year college Scholarship winners will be honored at the chapter’s annual
in Michigan. Additional grants may be awarded. awards banquet, Thursday, May 2, 2019, at the San Marino
Club, 1685 East Big Beaver Road, Troy. Tickets or table
The scholarship honors the late Larry Laurain, former SPJ reservations are available by calling SPJ Detroit at (313) 288-
Detroit chapter president and Oakland Press city editor. 9546. Additional information at www.spjdetroit.org.
Applicants must intend to practice journalism, as evidenced by
enrollment in journalism classes and by work from those

Write a personal narrative addressing these points:


 Tell us why you want to be a journalist.
 Outline your career goals after graduation.
 Describe your journalism-related activities and how they differ from those of your classmates.
 List your educational, campus and social activities. Briefly, tell of their influence on you.
 Describe what you believe is the most important challenge facing journalists today.
 Which person in journalism would you most like to emulate and why?
 And finally, tell us what winning this award would mean to you.

All applications must include:


1. An essay covering all seven points above.
2. A teacher, dean, or adviser’s reference letter, which reviews your work or enrollment in a journalism class, your academic status or
how you have indicated your interest in journalism.
3. At least five clips of any published or classroom-produced samples of your writing.

Deadline: Sunday, February 17, 2019


This is the deadline for: broadcast, print and online journalism entries
Journalist of the Year and Young Journalist of the Year nominations
Laurain Scholarship applications

Questions? Call (313) 288-9546 or e-mail spjdetroit@gmail.com

You might also like