Society of Professional Journalists
Ohio SPJ Awards 2009
Call for Entries
To Honor the Best of Ohio's Print, Broadcasting, Online, Trade and College Journalism
The Ohio SPJ Awards competition, presented collaboratively by the Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland Chapters of SPJ, honors print, broadcast, online, trade and college journalists in Ohio for their best work during 2008 to both serve the public interest and to protect press freedom. Categories have been revised to better reflect the changing challenges of journalism.
This is the only Ohio competition that honors journalists who fulfill the SPJ mission, defense of the First Amendment, support of literacy, resistance to censorship, advocacy for openness of public records and meetings, media self-criticism and community service. This program also recognizes the best college daily and weekly newspapers, and awards up to $2,000 in scholarships for excellent college journalistic writing in news, feature, sports and opinion. Deadline: Entries must be postmarked by February 27, 2009.
ELIGIBILITY: Journalists are eligible who work for print and broadcast mediums in Ohio, and mediums in adjacent states that have significant reach into Ohio. Entrants need not be members of the Society of Professional Journalists. The work must have been published or broadcast in 2008.
ABOUT SPJ: The Society of Professional Journalists is the nation's most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry through the daily work of its nearly 10,000 members; works to inspire current and future journalists through professional development; and advocates for the protection of the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of speech and press.
WHAT SPJ DOES: Nationally, SPJ improves and protects journalism through national and local training, freedom of Information advocacy and resources, its Code of Ethics that encourages responsible reporting, a web site filled with career resources -www.spj.org, and a national recognition program for excellence in journalism. Local SPJ chapters provide programs relevant to a city or region. Check www.spj.org to for membership information, and to find a chapter near you.
COLLEGE STUDENT JOURNALIST RULES:
Student material published in student publications or broadcast on student radio or television stations is eligible for either college or professional categories, but not both.
Student-produced material that is published in a professional publication or broadcast on a professional radio or television station is only eligible for professional categories.
Scholarships are awarded only in the college categories.
GENERAL RULES:
SPJ chapters in other states will conduct judging. All decisions of judges are final.
By entering, entrants and their employers agree that entries or excerpts may be published in the Ohio SPJ Awards Program Booklet, in future year entry materials, on the websites of Ohio SPJ, or the Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland SPJ chapters, or in program publicity.
Make checks payable to SPJ, and mail with entries to Ohio SPJ Awards, 1331 South High Street, Columbus, OH 43207.
Deadline: Entries must be postmarked by February 27, 2008.
CHECK OUT ALL PAST WINNERS AT: www.spjawards.com
COLLEGE JOURNALISM CATEGORIES:
Best College Daily Newspaper - For the best student newspaper or publication published regularly 3 or more times a week. Enter three issues. NO ENTRY FEE.
Best College Non-daily Newspaper - For the best student newspaper or publication published regularly up to twice a week. Enter three issues. NO ENTRY FEE.
Best College News Writing - One $500 scholarship will be awarded to the college journalist who show the most promise as a news writer, print or broadcast, through published or aired stories and academic standing. Ohio students only. Student entry fee: $10. Submit two or more stories, a recommendation from an advisor/teacher, and a grade report.
Best College Feature Writing - One $500 scholarship will be awarded to the college journalist who show the most promise as a feature writer, print or broadcast, through published or aired stories and academic standing. Ohio students only. Student entry fee: $10. Submit two or more stories, a recommendation from an advisor/teacher, and a grade report.
Best College Sports Writing - One $500 scholarship will be awarded to the college journalist who show the most promise as a sports writer, print or broadcast, through published or aired stories and academic standing. Ohio students only. Student entry fee: $10. Submit two or more stories, a recommendation from an advisor/teacher, and a grade report.
Best College Opinion Writing - One $500 scholarship will be awarded to the college journalist who show the most promise as a opinion writer, print or broadcast, through published or aired opinion pieces and academic standing. Ohio students only. Student entry fee: $10. Submit two or more stories, a recommendation from an advisor/teacher, and a grade report.
Entry Fee: $10 per each entry in each writing category. No entry fee for newspaper categories. Make check payable to SPJ. Mail check with entries to Ohio SPJ Awards, 1331 South High Street, Columbus, OH 43207. Deadline: Postmarked by February 27, 2009.