MN SPJ Announces 2012 Page One Awards

by Scott Theisen on January 5, 2012 in Awards with Comments Off

The Minnesota Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (MN SPJ) recognizes the best in Minnesota journalism each year with its annual Page One Awards.

Journalists working for all print, broadcast and online news outlets in Minnesota (or news outlets in neighboring states that cover Minnesota) are eligible to enter. All work published or broadcast during the 2011 calendar year is eligible. Entries must be submitted by Monday, Feb. 13, 2012. The fee is $20 per entry.

Contest winners will be honored at MN SPJ’s Page One Banquet, an annual spring event celebrating excellence in Minnesota journalism.

MN SPJ encourages collegiate journalists to enter student work in SPJ’s Mark of Excellence Awards. Submission deadline for that contest is January 25, 2012.

Important Links:

Contact: minnesota.spj@gmail.com

2012 Page One Awards: Contest Guidelines

by Scott Theisen on January 5, 2012 in Awards with Comments Off

GENERAL GUIDELINES

  • The fee is $20 per entry.
  • Entries must be submitted no later than Monday, Feb. 13, 2012.
  • All work published or broadcast during the 2011 calendar year is eligible.
  • Journalists (including freelancers and contract employees) working for all print, broadcast and online news outlets in Minnesota (or news outlets in neighboring states that cover Minnesota) are eligible to enter.
  • We encourage collegiate journalists to enter student work in SPJ’s Mark of Excellence Awards. Submission deadline is January 25, 2012.
  • An individual can submit only one entry per category. Exceptions: 1) if a second entry is a multiple-byline entry; or 2) if it is submitted by his/her employer because they could not agree on a single entry.
  • Entries will be judged by journalism professionals outside Minnesota.
  • Judges may move an entry from one category to another.
  • Up to three winners may be chosen for each category. Judges may choose not to name a winner in any category.
  • Entries will not be returned.
  • Awards Presentation: Winners will be announced in the spring of 2012 and honored during MN SPJ’s annual Page One Awards Banquet. Date and location, TBD.

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2012 Page One Awards: Contest Categories

by Scott Theisen on January 5, 2012 in Awards with Comments Off

1. NEWSPAPER

a. Spot News (One or more stories covering a single spot news event)

b. Short Feature (A single feature story of less than 30 inches)

c. Long Feature (A single feature story of more than 30 inches)

d. Enterprise Story (A story that reflects reporter’s ingenuity, use of sources or special research

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Letter to National Regarding the Stop Online Piracy Act

by Scott Theisen on December 13, 2011 in News with Comments Off

The Minnesota Pro Chapter has sent a letter to national SPJ leadership urging the organization to oppose measures in the Stop Online Piracy Act that threaten news innovation and free speech.

Thank you to member Jon Collins for raising these concerns with the MN SPJ board.

Minnesota SPJ letter re: SOPA

Notice: National SPJ Dues Increase on Jan. 1

by Scott Theisen on December 7, 2011 in News with Comments Off

SPJ’s national dues will increase on Jan. 1, 2012. The increase was approved by the SPJ national board of directors on Sept. 25, 2011.

Here is a list of the new dues costs for SPJ members:
-Pro Members: $75 ($3 increase)
-Retired: $37.50 ($1.50 increase)
-Household: $37.50 ($1.50 increase)
-Post-Graduate: $37.50 ($1.50 increase)
-Student: $37.50 ($1.50 increase)
-Associate: $94 ($4 increase)

Please note: Local dues for the Minnesota Pro Chapter will remain at $15.

If you join SPJ before December 31, your national dues will be at the current rate of $72 (pros), $36 (student, post-grad, household, retired), or $90 (associate). Click here to join SPJ.

If you have questions about the dues increase, please refer to the SPJ’s FAQs page or email minnesota.spj@gmail.com.

Enter National SPJ Contests: Something for Every Journalist!

by Scott Theisen on December 7, 2011 in News with Comments Off

The call is out for entries in four national SPJ Awards contests.

Sigma Delta Chi Awards: The Sigma Delta Chi Awards are among the premiere prizes given in the profession, and are unique, because they recognize achievement in all forms of journalism: print, television, radio, graphics, magazines, research, newsletters and online. Entry deadline is February 9th. Click here for more information and how to enter.

Mark of Excellence Awards: The Mark of Excellence Awards honors the best in collegiate journalism. Judged at the regional and national level, the annual competition offers 39 categories in newspapers, magazines, photography, radio, television and online journalism. Winners in Region 6 (Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota) will be announced at the Midwest Journalism Conference on March 30th. Entry deadline is January 25th. Click here for more information and how to enter.

Professionals: If you are interested in helping judge Mark of Excellence Awards for Region 6, contact MOE Region 6 Awards Coordinator Taylor Cisco.

National High School Essay Contest: SPJ wants to increase high school students’ knowledge and understanding of the importance of the Free Media to our lives. The top three national winners receive scholarship awards. Open to all high school students. Entry deadline is March 8th. Click here to download an application and the contest topic.

Minnesota Entrants: Please send your contest entries to:
Kelly Smith
c/o Star Tribune
425 Portland Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55488
re: SPJ High School Essay Contest

New America Award: SPJ’s New America Award honors public service journalism that explores and exposes an issue of importance to immigrant or ethnic communities in the United States. Entry deadline February 9th. Click here for more information and how to enter.

Click here to see the 2010 SPJ New America Winner; “Civil War Kids: Young Somalis in Minnesota” by Laura Yuen of Minnesota Public Radio.

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