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Annual SPJ contest going online

The Hawaii Chapter SPJ's contest is going online, and a lot of changes are coming.

The chapter's board opted for this method to make it easier for people to enter and for judges to review the contest materials.

The contest was retooled after the board learned that the Honolulu Star-Advertiser would not be submitting entries next year. In previous contests, the Honolulu Advertiser, which was merged with the Star-Bulletin, and the Star-Bulletin accounted for nearly 45 percent of the entries.

Here is what you need to know about how to enter the contest:

(1) Entry forms will be online, filled out and with either web links or PDFs (Adobe Acrobat) attached. No more copying DVDs, clipping articles or copying entry forms.

(2) An individual at each news outlet will be designated as the main contact who will set up the password for the outlet so all personnel can enter. Or you can contact Stirling Morita at spj@flex.com so an account can be set up for you.

Here are the categories:

PRINT

In all categories: Submit article URLs or attach PDFs of articles up to 20 MG.

NEWSPAPERS
  • N101 Business Reporting. Submit a single story on a particular event or issue.
  • N201 News Page Design
DAILY NEWSPAPERS (Open to newspapers that publish at least five days a week and wire services)
  • D101 Spot News Reporting. For deadline reporting of a single event, scheduled or unscheduled. Entry must have been published in the issue that directly followed the event and may include sidebars.
  • D201 General News/Enterprise Reporting. A single story on a particular event or issue.
  • D301 Feature Writing/Short Form. A single article no more than 1,500 words in length. Entry may include sidebars.
  • D401 Feature Writing/Long Form. A single.article of more than 1,500 words in length. Entry may include sidebars.
  • D501 Feature Page Design
NON-DAILY NEWSPAPERS
  • ND101 General News/Enterprise Reporting. A single story on a particular event or issue.
  • ND201 Feature Writing. A single article. Entry may include sidebars.
  • ND301 Community Reporting. A single article on a community event or issue.
MAGAZINES (Open to magazines and newsletters)
  • M101 Business Reporting. A single story on a particular event or issue.
  • M201 Industry or Trade Reporting. A single article on a particular industry or trade.
  • M301 Profile. Submit a single profile or story portraying a personality, business or group of interest or significance.
  • M401 Feature writing/Short Form. Submit a single article no more than 1,500 words in length. Entry may include sidebars.
  • M501 Feature Writing/Long Form. Submit a single article of more than 1,500 words in length. Entry may include sidebars.
  • M601 Page Design
  • M701 Magazine Cover. Submit a single magazine cover.

BROADCAST

In all broadcast categories: Entries must not contain material not originally aired. Lead-ins may be included.

RADIO (Web page addresses preferred.)
  • R101 General News/Enterprise Reporting. Submit a single story on a particular event or issue.
  • R201 Feature Reporting. Entry may include related stories that aired in the same newscast.
TELEVISION (Web page addresses preferred.)
  • T101 Government Reporting. Submit a single story on a particular government issue or event.
  • T201 Business Reporting. Submit a single story on a particular event or issue.
  • T301 General News/Enterprise Reporting. Submit a single story on a particular event or issue.
  • T401 Feature Reporting. Entry may include related stories that aired in the same newscast.
  • T501 Spot News Reporting. For deadline reporting of a single event, scheduled or unscheduled. Entry must have been aired within 24 hours of the event, and may include related stories that aired in the same newscast.
  • T601 Investigative Reporting. Submit a single story on a single subject that was the result of extensive research and original investigation.
  • T701 Videography. Submit a single story.
  • T801 Series Reporting/Documentary/Special News Program. 1) A series of stories on a single subject that aired consecutively. 2) For an independent production that need not be under the control of a news organization, the documentary must have been produced and aired in Hawaii during the calendar year. 3) For a news program aired outside a regular newscast but under the control of a news organization, the special news program may be an entire program or a single segment from a program.

ALL MEDIA

Open to entries from all divisions. Submit article URLs or attach PDFs of articles up to 20 MG.
  • A101 Column Writing/News. Submit a column or blog entry related to a news event or events.
  • A201 Column Writing/Features or Sports. Submit a column or blog entry on a feature or sports event.
  • A301 Government Reporting. Submit an article or blog entry on a particular government-related event or issue.
  • A401 Breaking News Reporting. For spot news coverage and continuing coverage of a major event. Entries must include both initial reports and up to five follow-ups.
  • A501 Health Reporting. Submit an article or blog entry on a health-related topic.
  • A601 Sports Reporting. Submit an article or blog entry on a particular sports event, person or issue. Entry may include sidebars.
  • A701 Arts/Entertainment Writing. Submit a single column, review, feature or blog entry.
  • A801 Editorial Opinion. Submit an editorial on a single subject.
  • A901 Illustration/Cartoon. Entry consists of original art or editorial cartoon.
  • A102 Informational Graphic
  • A202 News Photography
  • A302 Feature Photography
  • A402 Sports Photography
  • A502 Photo Essay
  • A602 Special Section. Submit one complete staff-produced special section or edition built around a unique local subject matter, such as anniversary, collector's edition, disaster, tribute or any major issue, that goes above and beyond routine coverage. Section must have been published in 2010. Judging will be based on theme and content, and layout/design/presentation.
  • A702 Investigative Reporting. Submit a single article or blog entry on a single subject that was the result of extensive research and original investigation.
  • A802 Public Service Reporting. For public service through extensive coverage of an important issue facing the community. Submit a single article or series of articles or blog entries. May include sidebars and editorials.

INTERNET

Entries consist of one main webpage address and up to two additional addresses to highlight specific features. Entrants must keep their nominated entries intact and accessible for at least eight months following submission. In the case of individual writing or reporting entries, entrants may facsimiles of the webpage (PDF attachments) as an alternative. Entries from online media affiliated with other media should document and explain how the material entered differed from or enhanced the coverage provided by the affiliated medium rather than merely repurposed it.
  • I101 Online News Reporting. Submit a story or package about a single issue or news event.
  • I201 Online Feature Reporting. Submit a story or package about a single issue or news event not produced on a daily deadline.
  • I301 Best Multimedia Presentation. News on a single topic displaying outstanding use of multimedia.
  • I401 Best Overall News Site. Submit three links.
  • I501 Best News Site (1-person produced). Submit three links.

STUDENT

The contest is open to anyone studying in an academic institution in 2010. All entries must have been published or aired in 2010. Work published while working as a student intern is acceptable. Unpublished manuscripts and classroom exercises do not qualify.

S101 Student Journalism in Any Media. Submit a single article on a particular event or issue or webpage address where the article or broadcast is located. May include sidebars.

GENERAL RULES

Eligibility: Entries must have been published or broadcast in Hawaii during 2010.

Deadline: Feb. 28, 2011. Entries must be posted on Better Newspaper Contest site by 4:30 p.m. Hawaiian Standard Time.

Entry Fee: $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers. Entrants must be chapter members to qualify for membership rate, which is not transferrable to other people in the same company. Checks or money orders should be made out to "Hawaii Chapter SPJ." DO NOT SEND CASH. All fees are nonrefundable. SPJ members submitting entries for nonmembers must pay nonmember rate.

Multiple-entry discount: $22 for each of 10 or more entries. ($220 for 10 entries)

Student contest fee: $15 for members of an SPJ student chapter, $17 for nonmembers. Student fee applies to the student category only. (Students entering professional categories must pay professional rates.)

To submit entries: Go online to Better Newspaper Contest's webpage and insert the webpage address for article or attach a .PDF (Adobe Acrobat file) of the article or articles up to 20 megabytes in size. For BROADCAST entries, also fill out the online entry form at Better Newspaper Contest and list a web page address for the story/stories. One check may be written for all submissions by one person or company and should be mailed to Hawaii Chapter SPJ, P.O. Box 3141, Honolulu, HI 96802. Entrants may also submit a very brief statement in support of work summarizing the entry, discussing major findings and subsequent results (No more than 50 words on the online entry page).

Joining SPJ: Anyone may qualify for member fees if a completed SPJ membership application is submitted with entry fees, along with a separate check for SPJ dues payment.

Awards: First-place awards will be given, with merit awards given to up to two finalists. Awards may be withheld if judges decide no entry merits recognition. Decisions of the judges are final. Questions: Direct them to Stirling Morita at spj@flex.com or 529-4755.

THE SPJ HAWAII CHAPTER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISQUALIFY ANY ENTRY THAT FAILS TO CONFORM TO RULES. ENTRY FEES WILL NOT BE REFUNDED. ENTRIES WILL NOT BE RETURNED.

FAQ:
Q: If original clips are unavailable, can I submit a computer printout of my entry?
A: Yes, as long as the publication date is clearly visible. Wire services may submit computer printouts as PDFs.

Q: Can an entry qualify for the membership rate if one of the named entrants contributing to the work being entered is a chapter member?
A: Yes.

HAWAII CHAPTER SPJ // P.O. BOX 3141 // HONOLULU, HI 96802