NSPA Awards Week Day 3: Newspaper and Broadcast Pacemaker

NSPA is pleased to announce the finalists in the 2011 Newspaper Pacemaker and Broadcast Pacemaker contests.

The Newspaper Pacemaker contest is co-sponsored by the Newspaper Association of America Foundation. The contest yielded a total of 325 entries and categories included: Newspapers eight or fewer pages, Newspapers 9-16 pages, Newspapers 17+ pages, Newsmagazines and Jr. High/Middle School Newspapers.

Entries were judged based on the following criteria:

  • Coverage and content
    Were all aspects of student life covered (academics/sports/clubs/local news, etc.)? Was the use of wire/syndicated copy limited (especially on pg. 1)? Was there evidence of sound news judgment?
  • Quality of writing and reporting
    Was the writing concise and the reporting thorough? Was writing free of opinion (with the exception of editorials or columns)? Was the copy edited for consistent style?
  • Leadership on the opinion page
    Did staff editorials, cartoons and letters supplement personal columns? Did the staff demonstrate sensitivity to controversial topics? Was the content of the editorial page consequential?
  • Evidence of in-depth reporting
    Did major stories show evidence of multiple sources? Are series or depth pieces prominent in entered issues?
  • Layout and design
    Was the look of the paper clean and contemporary? Was a consistent modular page makeup used throughout the publication? Did designers establish a clear visual hierarchy for readers?
  • Photography, art and graphics
    Did visuals enhance the verbal content and draw the reader in? Did visuals improve the reader’s understanding of the accompanying story? Were photos properly credited? Was the quality of photos and art technically excellent?

A note on Newsmagazines:

The 2011 NSPA Newspaper Pacemaker judging team made the decision to move a group of publications from the regular newspaper categories to the newsmagazine category under the supervision of NSPA. NSPA reserves the right to re-categorize publications based on its standards in order to ensure that like publications are competing fairly in its contests.

A newsmagazine possesses certain characteristics, which are outlined on page 19 in the NSPA Newspaper Guidebook. Three key elements are: a graphically or photographically-focused cover with teasers to inside coverage, a table of contents and coverage of special topics in a centerspread, as featured on the cover. See the guidebook for an in-depth explanation.

Questions about the re-categorization of newspapers to the newsmagazine category may be directed to contests@studentpress.org.

View the list of finalists here

—–

The Broadcast Pacemaker contest is co-sponsored by SchoolTube.com and the Radio Television Digital News Foundation. Entries consisted of an entire broadcast news program no longer than 20 minutes, and categories included Daily programs, Weekly/Biweekly programs and Monthly or less programs.

Entries were judged based on the following criteria:

  • Content/Coverage
  • Relevancy to audience, significance of subjects covered
  • Writing and editing of the script
  • Language appropriate to audience, smooth transitions
  • Recording and editing of the show
  • Good connections between segments
  • Interviewing skills
  • Interviews were conversational
  • Technical quality
  • Lighting, framing, audio
  • Journalistic integrity, courage and ambition
  • Overall impact, professionalism, sensitivity to subjects

View the list of finalists here

Winners will be announced for the first time at the 90th Annual JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention on Nov. 19 in Minneapolis, Minn.

Comments from all judging teams will be published on the NSPA website after the winners have been announced.

Please contact Kathy Huting, NSPA Contest and Critique Coordinator, with questions at contests@studentpress.org.