2009-10
Entries must be received by
Eligibility:
Any television station in
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
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 seventeen (17) separate categories and one sweepstakes winner will
be chosen. An Oklahoma-shaped
plaque will be awarded to the first place winner in each category.
Certificates will be awarded to first place, second place, third
place and honorable mention based where merited.
The station winning the sweepstakes
award will be given a plaque.
Fees:
The fee is $15.00 per entry. Stations are limited to five (5) entries per
category. Entry fees must accompany the
entries.
Contest dates for Best Early Newscast, Best Evening Newscast and Best
Sportscast:
November 12, December 3, December 22, 2009, and January 6, January
29, 2010.
NOTE: Please follow the rules EXACTLY to avoid disqualification.
CATEGORIES:
1) Web Site.
Any station may enter their Web site by submitting AP entry form or
station letterhead including the following information:
Station call letters,
online editor and phone number in case a judge needs assistance, Web address
(URL), and how often the site updated and when.
Judging criteria: organization of a
logical online sequence that allows viewers to easily navigate the site, is
the site attractive visually, does the site provide an opportunity to
contact members of the station's staff and does the site present updates of
the day's news. Judges may view each Web site at their discretion.
2)
3) Investigative Reporting.
Reports must be developed through a reporter's own initiative and
primary details that are developed by deliberate journalistic investigation
that is more than just the reporting of developing details. Judging criteria:
significance to the audience, resourcefulness, thoroughness, presentation of
both sides of the story, courage, fairness and exclusivity. Courage of the
reporter, photographer and station management will be considered.
4) Best Special Program.
Stand alone special programs outside of news.
May include but not limited to: documentaries, entertainment and
sports. Open format.
5) Video Editing.
Editing as it relates to a report or series of reports or special
programs. Entries must not
exceed 30 minutes and must
be submitted as aired.
6) Feature Reporting.
A report or series of reports on
"soft" news. Can be humorous or serious. Judging criteria: human interest,
entertainment value and delivery.
7) Feature Photography.
Photo coverage of a report or series of reports on “soft” news.
Can be humorous or serious, and may include news-related programs,
such as documentaries. Judging criteria: photographic quality, imagination and impact.
Entries restricted to 30-minute length.
8) General News.
Reporting of an event for which
coverage can be planned such as a scheduled meeting or a report on the
anniversary of a significant event. Judging criteria includes significance to and
impact on the audience, resourcefulness, presentation and fairness.
9) General News Photography.
Photo coverage of an event for which coverage can be planned such as
a scheduled meeting or a report on the anniversary of a significant event.
Must be unique in its quality, editing, imagination and impact.
10) Best Reporter Portfolio.
Three samples of reporting by a single reporter.
Reporter must also be the writer of all samples.
May include live and taped elements.
All three samples must be on one VHS tape or
DVD and are to be judged as one total entry.
Only one portfolio entry per reporter.
11) Best Photographer Portfolio.
Three samples of reporting by a single photographer.
Photographer must also be the editor of all samples.
May include live and taped elements.
All three samples must be on one VHS tape or DVD-R and are to be
judged as one total entry. Only
one portfolio entry per photographer.
12) Sportscast.
Any regularly scheduled sportscast that aired on one of the five (5)
designated 2009-10 contest dates.
Judging criteria includes content, overall audience appeal and
pace.
13)
Weather Event 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, snow or ice storms. Judging criteria includes content that is easily
understood by the viewer, presentation, visual appeal and production
techniques as well as delivery, editing, scripting and thoroughness. The
entry tape must contain the entire weathercast or weather segment.
*This category replaces Weather Coverage, Special Weather Event Coverage and
Special Weather Event Photography.
14) Spot News.
Coverage of an unanticipated event
within 24 hours of the occurrence of the event.
Any report that begins within 24 hours of the event is eligible.
Judging criteria includes delivery, editing, scripting and
thoroughness.
15) Spot News Photography.
Photo coverage of an unanticipated event.
Any report that begins within 24 hours of the event is eligible. Must
be unique in its quality, editing, imagination and impact.
16) Best Early Newscast.
Any regularly scheduled newscast.
Must have aired on one of the five (5) designated 2009-10 contest dates
between
17) Best Evening Newscast.
Any regularly scheduled newscast.
Must have aired on one of the five (5) designated 2009-10 contest dates
between
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.