NEW  2005 Illinois Associated Press Broadcasters Association Journalism Excellence Contest

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ILLINOIS ASSOCIATED PRESS BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION CONTEST CATEGORIES

The Illinois AP Broadcasters Association Executive Board has made some changes to the contest categories for 2005. The following are the new categories. Note the addition of Outstanding News Operation and Best Videography. Feature entries will now be judged in two categories: Best Hard News Feature and Best Light Feature. Best Editorial or Commentary has been dropped.

1. BEST NEWSCAST: Entry must be a regularly scheduled newscast from one of the ten Illinois AP Contest Days. It should contain the entire newscast; commercials may be edited out.The contest days for 2005 were January 27, February 18, March 28, May 3, June 8, July 13, August 1, August 30, September 23, October 27.
Limit: One per station.

2. BEST REPORTER: Entry must be on one tape and must include a minimum of three-non-documentary stories broadcast during the contest year. Stories should demonstrate skills in gathering and writing, while also displaying initiative in reporting and performance. "Best Reporter" should be an individual who handles day-in, day-out assignments as well as special assignments capably.
Limit: None.

3. OUTSTANDING NEWS OPERATION: Entry should contain a newscast and additional examples of spot news, continuing coverage, features and other work that showcases the overall performance of the news operation. A written presentation of no more than one typed page is required, including a list of material on the tape. Voice-overs or narratives are permitted only if they were part of the original piece that aired. Tape may be edited (all commercials must be removed). Time limit: 60 minutes for TV entries or 30 minutes for radio entries.
Limit: One per station.

4. BEST SPOT NEWS: Best coverage of an unscheduled single news event. The award is not intended to encompass overall spot news coverage by a station for the year.
Limit: Two per station.

5. BEST SERIES OR DOCUMENTARY: Entry may be a single story or series of stories on any one topic. Thoroughness of research and reporting is just as important as writing and presentation. If a series, all segments should be submitted on one tape. Time Limit: 30 minutes.
Limit: Two per station.

6. BEST HARD NEWS FEATURE: Entry should show reporter, s ability to cover an unusual story or an unusual angle of a news story. Use of sound and/or TV photography will be considered.
Limit: Two per station.

7. BEST LIGHT FEATURE: Entry should show reporter, s ability to cover an unusual story or an unusual angle of a news story. Use of sound and/or TV photography will be considered.
Limit: Two per station.

8. BEST INVESTIGATIVE REPORT: Entry may be a single story or series of stories about a previously unexplored and significant original story. The entry should show extraordinary research, ground-breaking reporting and results obtained by researching and airing the story.
Limit: Two per station.

9. BEST SPORTS REPORT: Entry may be a single story or series of stories about the same sports topic. Not intended to be a "sportscast" category. Play-by-play is not eligible.
Limit: Two per station.

10. BEST VIDEOGRAPHY (TV ONLY): Entries should show creativity and versatility in both photography and use of sound. May be spot news, feature, documentary or sports. Can be by staff or individual, but must be limited to a single story/series about the same topic or event. Entry must be on one tape.
Limit: Two per station.

11. BEST USE OF SOUND (RADIO ONLY): Entries will be judged on use of natural and creative sound to tell or enhance a news story. May be spot news, feature, documentary or sports. Entry must be on one tape.
Limit: Two per station.

12. BEST NEWSWRITER: Tape with accompanying script for at least three, but no more than five, examples of a writer, s work. Judges will consider only the writing in a taped entry. If only script is submitted, all actuality within each story must be transcribed. Introductory material also must be transcribed. Sports writing also may be entered. No documentaries.
Limit: None.