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HEART OF AMERICA 2018 CONTEST CATEGORIES
1. Deadline Reporting/Breaking News/Spot News: Single story or series (no more than three) on the same breaking story or event. Entries must be of unscheduled events and must have been published/posted/broadcast within 72 hours. Judges will look for thoroughness of reporting, quality of video, photos or audio; follow-ups with solid new information and analysis on effects of the event on participants and community as a whole. Entries in this category also may be entered in Category 8.
2. General Reporting: Single news story or series (no more than three) on one topic, by a reporter or team. Stories entered here also may be entered in a photojournalism category, but not in a specialty reporting category, such as Business Reporting, Investigative Reporting, etc. Judges will look for thoroughness of reporting, quality of video, photos or audio, solid information and analysis on effects of the story on participants and community as a whole. Entries in this category also may be entered in Category 11.
3. Business Reporting: Single story or series (up to five) on a business enterprise or economic issue. Judges will look for thoroughness of reporting, quality of video, photos or audio, solid information and analysis on effects of the story on participants and community as a whole. Entries in this category also may be entered in Category 11.
4. Investigative Reporting: Single story or series (up to five) uncovering current issues, situations and/or problems. Judges will look for thoroughness of reporting, quality of video, photos or audio, excellent sourcing, solid information and analysis on effects of the story on participants and community as a whole. (Submit attachment to entry documenting research and story's community impact, if desired.) Entries in this category also may be entered in category 11.
5. Feature: Single story or series (up to three) on a single human-interest topic by a reporter or team. Judges will look for entertainment and news value, good story-telling techniques, and a Good News feel. NOTE: The difference between Feature and Profile is sometimes small. A story might be suitable for both but cannot be entered in both. Pick the category for which the entry is most appropriate.
6. Profile: Single story or series (up to three) on a person, persons or group. Judges will look for entertainment and news value, good story-telling techniques.
7. Sports Reporting: Single story or series (up to three). Can be news, features, blog or column. (No play-by-play.)
8. Photojournalism, Breaking News: Single photo or series (print or online), or video (television or online) of an unscheduled news event. Entries in this category may also be entered in Category 1.
9. Photojournalism, Feature: Single photo or series (print or online), or video (television or online). Judges will look for entertainment and news value, excellent photography and editing, good story-telling techniques, and a Good News feel.
10. Photojournalism Sports: Single sports photo or series (print or online), or video (television or online). Judges will look for entertainment and news value, excellent photography and editing, good story-telling techniques, and a Good News feel. Should be more than routine sports event coverage.
11. Photojournalism, General Reporting: Single photo or series (print or online), or video (television or online). Judges will look for, excellent photography and editing, and good story-telling techniques. Entries in this category may also be entered in one of the following categories: 2, 3.
12. Editorial/commentary: A single editorial or commentary by an individual. Enter under the author’s name.
13. News Column/Blog: Regularly appearing news-related column or blog (submit up to three examples), covering serious topics such as politics and community issues, written by one person.
14. Non-News Column/Blog: Regularly appearing feature column or blog, including but not limited to such topics as humor, food, lifestyle, personality (submit up to three examples) written by one person. One entry per person. All circulation groups compete together.
15. Arts and Entertainment Reporting: Single story or series of news, features or columns about arts, entertainment or culture. Open to all circulation groups except trade and specialty. Video entries may also be entered in Categories 9 or 11.
16. Beat Reporting: Three to five stories on a single beat by the same reporter.
17. Public Service Project: A project intended to bring a cause, problem or situation to the community's attention. Entry should consist of up to three pieces; best entries will include follow-up showing community response to the project and documentation of impact. The award goes to the news organization; individual contributors may be listed in Credits section of entry form. Individual stories also may be entered in Category 9.
18. Magazine Story: Single story or series (up to three). Can be investigative, general reporting or feature. All circulation groups compete together.
19. News Program: A single regularly scheduled news broadcast. Limit three entries per station. The award goes to the station. Open to broadcast circulation groups. Circulation groups judged separately.
20. Talk Program: Local, regularly broadcast call-in or discussion program. Judges consider quality of information and how opinions are expressed. Submit up to three, five-minute segments from separate programs.
21. Documentary: A stand-alone news-information program dealing with a single subject. The award goes to the news organization; individual contributors may be listed in Credits section of entry form.
22. Regular Franchise Feature: A regular signature series broadcast under a standing title at least once a week. Submit three to five samples. Entries in this category also may be entered in Category 8.
23. News Web Site: A Web site representing a news organization, or independent. Judged on content, timeliness, graphics and ease of access. Submit URL. All circulation groups judged together. The award goes to the news organization; individual contributors may be listed in Credits section of entry form. NOTE: Please provide the URL of the archived site on the day you choose
24. Multi-Media Package: A written story supplemented by audio and/or video content, accessible in its entirety only on a media organization's Web site. Submit URL. Open to all circulation groups judged together.
25. Business-to-Business Publication: Submit three complete issues. Open to trade and specialty circulation group only. The award goes to the news organization; individual contributors may be listed in Credits section of entry form.
26. Graphics: Use of graphics in a news story, based on value of content, explanation, visual appeal, interactivity, if appropriate. Open to all circulation groups except radio. Circulation groups judged separately.