Categories

Instructions
Rules & Eligibility
Enter Contest

Radio/Podcasts

Spot News

Story or stories produced in a single day about an unscheduled news event for which there is no advance notice. Entrant may submit attachment including explanation of any problems reporter(s) had to overcome in obtaining the story and meeting deadline.

INVESTIGATIVE STORY

Must show unusual enterprise and initiative in uncovering story. May be a single report or series of reports on an investigation conducted by the entrant(s). In an attachment, reporter(s) should indicate time spent on story, problems associated in gathering information and what resulted from bringing the investigation subject to light.

News feature

A feature of a harder nature not falling under spot news or investigative story categories. (This category could include such things as medicine, law enforcement, politics, economics, etc.) May be a single story or series of stories on one subject.

"Human interest" Feature

A “slice of life” or whimsical feature with no significant hard news value.

sports story

Story which concentrates on particular sport and/or its participants.

sports show

A single program or series of programs on same subject.

regularly scheduled local newscast

Entry may be a single complete newscast or a number of complete newscasts to illustrate scope of coverage on a single story or series of stories.

special program

A program not regularly scheduled on a specific event. May be a single program or series of programs on same subject. Category includes public affairs programs and documentaries.

Print Media

D=DAILY

Daily general circulation newspaper

ND=NON-DAILY

General circulation periodical not published daily

S=SPECIAL INTEREST

Periodical for specific audience, i.e., institutional, religious, or trade; includes magazines and newsletters
For these categories, entries from dailies will only be judged against other dailies; all non-daily entries, including those from special interest print, will be judged together.

D/ND/S NEWS FEATURE/SERIES

A feature of harder nature not falling under “spot news” or “investigative story” categories. (This category could include such topics as medicine, law enforcement, politics, economics, etc.) Reporter can enter one story or series of stories on one subject.

D/ND/S “HUMAN INTEREST” FEATURE/SERIES

A “slice of life” or whimsical feature with no significant hard news value.

D/ND/S SPORTS STORY

Story or series of stories on one subject concentrating on particular sport and/or its participants.

All Print

For these categories, all entries will be judged together.

SPOT NEWS

Coverage of an unscheduled news event for which there is no advance notice. This can be a single story or group of stories appearing on the same day which clearly demonstrates reporter’s, or team of reporters’, ability to deal with breaking story under deadline pressure. Weight will be given to superior coverage provided against nearest deadline. Reporter(s) should indicate difficulties in covering story.

COLUMN

Single column, which best exemplifies columnist’s work. Any columnist (news, sports, humor, lifestyle, etc.) may enter. Robert R. Haggart Award presented to winner in memory of the Syracuse Post-Standard columnist.)

FRONT PAGE DESIGN

At least three examples of newspaper front pages should be submitted. Entry will be judged on layout and design, graphics, typography, readability and ease of use.

INVESTIGATIVE STORY/SERIES

May be a single report or series of reports on an investigation conducted by the entrant(s). Reporter(s) should indicate time spent on story and problems associated in gathering information. Also indicate what resulted from bringing the investigation subject to light.

EDITORIAL

A print editorial showing quality of writing, clearness of intent, and call to action. Entry may indicate what effect editorial had on subject.

CRITIQUE

A critique of entertainment topic (including TV, radio, movies, stage shows, books, etc.)

HEADLINE WRITING

Entry should include three samples of headlines and accompanying articles. Entry will be judged on creativity, relevance to article, and concise writing.

Magazine

MAGAZINE

Entries judged on overall writing quality, layout, and graphics. Entries must  include a cover and contents page with entire publication. Web or Issuu links are accepted.

BEST NEWSLETTER/TRADE PUBLICATION

Publications operated for the purpose of promoting an organization or service. Entries judged on overall writing quality, layout, and graphics. Entries must include the entire publication. Web or Issuu links are accepted.

Still Photography

CARL SINGLE AWARD FOR SPOT NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY

Single photo of unscheduled news event with no advance notice. (Awarded in memory of Syracuse Post-Standard photographer Carl Single.)

FEATURE PHOTO

Single photo of human interest or “slice of life.”

SPORTS PHOTO

Single photo of a sporting event.

PORTRAIT

Single photo of a person or group of people.

PHOTO ESSAY

Series of photos telling or showing a story.

Television

SPOT NEWS

Coverage of an unscheduled news event for which there is no advance notice. Entry should include explanation of any problems reporter and/or photographer had to overcome in obtaining the story and meeting deadline, etc.

INVESTIGATIVE STORY/SERIES

Must show unusual enterprise and initiative in uncovering story. May be a single report or series of reports on an investigation conducted by the entrant(s).

NEWS FEATURE Short FOrm

A feature that is less than 2-minutes in length. Entries should be of a harder nature not falling under “spot news” or “investigative story” categories. 

NEWS FEATURE Long FoRM

A feature that is more than 2-minutes in length. Entries should be of a harder nature not falling under “spot news” or “investigative story” categories. 

“HUMAN INTEREST” FEATURE

A “slice of life” or whimsical feature with no significant hard news value. (Strong picture/word coordination is important).

SPORTS STORY

Story which concentrates on particular sport and/or its participants. (Strong picture/word coordination is important).

SPORTS SHOW

A single program or series of programs on same subject.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED SPORTSCAST

Entry may be a single complete sportscast or a number of complete sportscasts that regularly air as segment on scheduled newscast. This is different from a “sports show,” in that a sportscast includes multiple sports news stories.

SPECIAL PROGRAM

A program not regularly scheduled on a specific event. May be a single program or series of programs on same subject. Category includes public affairs programs and documentaries.

PHOTO ESSAY

Highly visual story without narration utilizing natural sound and/or music. (Entry may include anchor introduction, if necessary).

VIDEO JOURNALISM

Each entry must be three stories showing work in news, sports, feature or weather-related video as one entry.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED LOCAL NEWSCAST

Entry may be a single complete newscast or a number of complete newscasts to illustrate scope of coverage on a single story or series of stories.

BEST WEATHERCAST

A report from a regularly-scheduled newscast that provides the viewer a clear, understandable view of the current weather and what can be expected in the future.

Online Journalism

BREAKING NEWS

Best coverage of breaking news event, featuring video, text and/or sound.

MULTIMEDIA STORY

Best single news, feature or sports story utilizing multiple platforms – video, print, web – in a single entry.

NEWS WEBSITE

Websites operated by a news organization for the purpose of disseminating news and information. This category is judged based on the appearance of the website on the day of the judging. Each website is considered one entry. Entries will be judged on ease of use, graphic design, information offered, and functionality of content. This category is judged based on the appearance of the website on the day of the judging.

BLOG

An online blog adding depth, context and perspective to a news, feature or sports story. Entrants submit up to three blog posts per entry.

GRAPHICS

Best single digital graphic element published by a news organization. The entry can be published by print, broadcast or online platforms but cannot be entered in any other category. Entires may include: interactive graphics, infographics, motion graphics, etc.

VIDEO JOURNALISM

Each entry must be three stories showing work in news, sports, features, or weather-related video as one entry. Entry may not be entered in the Television category.

BEST USE OF
SOCIAL MEDIA

Entries will be judged on impact/engagement, creativity and level of innovation, as well as how they helped to further the audience’s understanding of a particular story or issue. Submit three social media posts.

Student

Open to full-time students of accredited colleges or universities in the Syracuse Press Club service area for work done for on-campus media.

BEST RADIO/PODCAST NEWS STORY

General hard news or news of the day story on student radio.

BEST PRINT/DIGITAL NEWS STORY

General hard news or news of the day story in a student newspaper or student website.

BEST VIDEO/TELEVISION NEWS STORY

General hard news or news of the day story on student television or student website.

BEST RADIO/PODCAST SPORTS STORY

Coverage of a collegiate, local or regional sports story on student radio.

BEST PRINT/DIGITAL SPORTS STORY

Coverage of a collegiate, local or regional sports story in a student newspaper or student website.

BEST VIDEO/TELEVISION SPORTS STORY

Coverage of a collegiate, local or regional sports story on student television or student website.

BEST RADIO/PODCAST FEATURE STORY

Lighter human interest story on student radio.

BEST PRINT/DIGITAL FEATURE STORY

Lighter human interest story in a student newspaper or student website.

BEST VIDEO/TELEVISION FEATURE STORY

Lighter human interest story on student television or student website.

BEST USE OF MULTIMEDIA

News, sports or feature story or series that relies on multiple forms of media, including text, video, photo, design, etc. to produce a cohesive and engaging package.