2008-09 OAPB RADIO RULES

Entries must be received by 5:00 p.m., March 27, 2009.

 

Eligibility:  Any radio station in Oklahoma, or an adjoining state, that receives the Oklahoma AP broadcast wire is eligible to compete in the OAPB contest.  Out-of-state stations must explain in a cover letter why the entry is of Oklahoma interest.

 

Divisions:  All eligible stations will compete in one division.  Note:  If a category receives no more than one entry, it is the discretion of the judges whether to award a first-place plaque for that entry or to return the entry fee.  The decision of the judges is final.

 

How to Enter:  All entries must have aired between March 1, 2008 and Feb. 28, 2009 and be received no later than 5:00 p.m., March 27, 2009.  Send entries to:  OAPB CONTEST, The Associated Press, 525 Central Park Drive, Suite 202, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105.  Entries may be cassette or CD.  No entries will be returned. 

 

Each entry must be labeled (typed please) with the following information:  contest category name (don’t identify by number), station call letters, entry by name, date of airing, and applicable staff names:  reporter, photographer, producer, any others involved in gathering the information or producing the report that would be printed on award plaque or certificate.  After submission, no names will be added or deleted.  

 

Judging: Stations entering the contest agrees to judge other entries. Failure to do so will result in disqualification of entries.  Each station must supply the name, address, phone number and email address of a judging contact at their station.  This person will be contacted regarding any entry questions and will receive entries in the required contest swap with another state.

 

Categories:  There are nine (9) separate categories and a sweepstakes winner will be chosen.  An Oklahoma-shaped plaque will be awarded to the first place winner in each of the separate categories.  Certificates will be awarded for first place, second place, third place and honorable mention where merited by the judges.  The station winning the sweepstakes award will be given a plaque.

 

Fee:  The fee is $15 per entry.  Stations are limited to five (5) entries per category.  Fees must accompany entries.

 

Note:  Please follow the rules EXACTLY to avoid disqualification.

 

CATEGORIES:

 

1)  Weather Coverage.  An entire report on the latest local weather information contained within a newscast or coverage of a special weather event whether anticipated or unexpected such as tornadoes or snow or ice storms. Judging criteria includes content easily understood by the listener, presentation, as well as delivery, editing, scripting and thoroughness. The entry tape must contain the entire weathercast or weather segment.

 2)  Government Reporting.  Reporting on state or local government.   May include but not limited to the Legislature, city or county government.   May be a single report or a series.  Series limit of 5 reports.

3)  Enterprise/Investigative Reporting.  A report or series of reports, including documentaries, in which primary details are developed by deliberate journalistic investigation that is more than just the reporting of developing details.  Judging criteria includes significance to the audience, resourcefulness, thoroughness, presentation of both sides of the story, courage, fairness and exclusivity.  Courage of the reporter, news director, producer and station management will be considered.

   4) Feature Reporting.  A report or series of reports that can be humorous or serious.  Judging criteria:  human interest, thoroughness, originality, entertainment or news value and delivery.

5)  Best Use of Sound.  Taped voices of newsmakers or sounds from an actual news event, used in production of an aired news report.  Entry should include the aired report so judges can ascertain the pertinence of the actuality or natural sound.  The criteria are audio quality, resourcefulness and dramatic impact.

6) Spot News.  Coverage of an unanticipated event.  Any report that begins within 24 hours of the event is eligible.  Judging criteria for spot news include timelines, delivery and thoroughness.

  7) Best Reporter Portfolio.  Three samples of reporting by a single reporter.  Reporter must also be the writer of all samples.  All three samples must be on one tape or CD and are to be judged as one total entry.  Only one portfolio entry per reporter.

   8) Best Newscast.  Any regularly scheduled newscast that must have aired on one of the five (5) days designated by The Associated Press as a contest day.  2008-09 contest dates are: 
 November 18, December 10, December 31, 2008, and January 14 and February 20, 2009.
  Judging criteria includes content, overall audience appeal and pace.

  9) Best Election Coverage.  The best locally produced coverage of the 2008 general election.  The category is not limited to election night coverage, but may be election night coverage.  It may be a single report or a series of reports about a single issue, candidate or race.  Judging criteria includes overall presentation, planning and preparation involved in broadcasting the story.  It should include solid production techniques, delivery, editing and scripting.
 

 Sweepstakes.  The sweepstakes winner will be selected based on a point system that provides four points for each first place award, three points for each second place, two points for each third place and one point for each honorable mention.  A plaque will be awarded to the station receiving the most points.  No other plaque or certificate will be awarded.