2021 Excellence in Journalism

‘CALL FOR ENTRIES’

Sponsored by the Detroit chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists

Detroit SPJ is accepting entries and nominations honoring the outstanding achievers and achievements in 2020
by print, broadcast, photo, digital and other practicing journalists in Michigan. In addition, we will be naming a
Journalist of the Year, a Young Journalist of the Year, and the Larry Laurain Scholarship winners.
The 2021 Excellence in Journalism is open to entries from throughout Michigan in all categories.
Please read these instructions carefully as we have added or introduced several new (NEW) categories.
Deadline for all entries is Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. This contest is judged by working journalists from other local
chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Winners will be announced and honored in late April or early May.

General Information
1. All entries must be submitted online through the BetterBNC 8. Entries must include the text of any correction or
contests website. Mailed tearsheets or other materials will clarifications made in connection with that entry. They also
not be accepted. should include a summary of written challenges concerning
the accuracy or fairness of the entry (including letters to the
2. Entries must have been published or broadcast in Michigan
between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020. Questions on editor, whether published or not), or any notice of legal action.
As an aid to the judges, entries should also include an
eligibility may be directed to: [email protected]. explanation or refutation of any objections.
3. An entry may be submitted in only one contest category. 9. Judges may declare “no winner” in any category at their
4. Entrants do not need to be members of the Society of discretion. All decisions by the judges, including interpretation
Professional Journalists. of these rules, are final. Judges reserve the right to disqualify
any entry. In the case of disputes, the Detroit chapter’s board
5. All entries must be the product of original writing, reporting
of directors will make final determinations.
or production by the entrant(s). This contest is intended to
reward individual achievement. In most cases, the name of the 10. The entry fee is $30 for each entry. Payment must be
entrant(s) should be that of an individual or individuals and received by the entry deadline and is non-refundable.
the news organization they represent. News organizations 11. Fee for one, single entry is $10 if accompanied by a
should be listed as the “entrant” for team efforts involving completed, new membership form and annual dues payment
more than four individuals. for national and local chapter membership. Membership
6. All entries must be in the correct presentation format. See applications are available at www.spjdetroit.org.
information provided with each class. Both broadcast and 12. Entries must be received no later than midnight, Friday,
print entries may contain online elements. And no entries can Feb. 19, 2021. See specific attachment requirements for each
compete in more than one class – print, broadcast or digital. class, inside.
7. Judges will take into consideration the SPJ Code of Ethics
in evaluating all entries.

Questions? Call (313) 288-9546 or e-mail [email protected].

 Deadlines (at midnight)

Feb. 19, 2021 – Entries in the broadcast, print, digital and specialty media categories.
Feb. 26, 2021 – Nominations for Journalist of the Year and Young Journalist of the Year.
Feb. 26, 2021 – Larry Laurain Scholarship applications.

****INTRODUCING****

The Sojourner Truth Award in Topical Reporting

Deadline: Friday, Feb. 19, 2021

Detroit SPJ introduces an award that honors the outstanding work produced on the biggest stories in Michigan
during the current contest year.
The chapter has identified two topics – the presidential election and the COVID-19 pandemic – as the 2020
challenges to the state’s journalists.
This award is open to journalists from all domains and categories. Entries must prove and show originality,
incorporating multimedia and social media platforms in the coverage of one or both of these topics. Elements of
community involvement would also be considered in the selection.

BROADCAST
Deadline: Friday, Feb. 19, 2021
Radio: Upload audio files. Television: Entries should include studio lead-in

Categories:
Community/local news reporting: A single or series of News special and documentary: A program 15 minutes or
report(s) covering issues affecting specific communities or longer broadcast outside of a regular newscast and prompted
neighborhoods. by breaking news or a major issue of community concern.
Consumer/watchdog/investigative reporting: Provides an This may be a live or taped original broadcast.
example of looking out for citizens’ interests such as saving a Newscast: One single complete, regularly scheduled news
family from losing a home or helping correct an injustice. program.
Education reporting: A single or series of report(s) on a Open-government reporting: To individuals or news
broad range of educational topics. organizations for significant, effective coverage promoting
Environment reporting: A single or series of report(s) on a open government in Michigan.
broad range of environmental topics. Racial justice reporting: A single or series of report(s) that
Feature reporting: A report or series not considered "hard have helped end racial injustice and instead promote equality
news" that includes profiles, human interest stories, etc. on the basis of race.
Submit up to 3 examples on a single topic. Sports reporting: A report or series of reports within a
General news reporting: A story or series of stories resulting regular newscast or of a sporting event.
from a journalist’s initiative but excluding coverage of Spot or breaking news reporting: Single-day coverage of
breaking or developing news. breaking or developing news produced under deadline
Health reporting: A single or series of report(s) on a broad pressure.
range of health topics. Videography: Best visual storytelling in a story or newscast.
News editing: Best editing techniques used to tell a story. The winning entry will demonstrate excellence in the use of
This can be a single story or series including outboarded videography and sound.
elements and graphics.

Questions? Call (313) 288-9546 or e-mail [email protected].

 DIGITAL
Deadline: Friday, Feb. 19, 2021
All digital and news websites, whether independent or affiliated with print or broadcast news organizations, may enter.
But an entry is eligible in only one class: print, broadcast or digital.

How to submit: The website address and directions on how to access the site, including passwords, must be included
with the entry form. Include the URL and passwords needed to access the site. Entries that do not include this information
will be disqualified.

Categories:
Breaking news via social media: Use of social media include a single story or a series clearly driven by audience
channels to report breaking news with immediate postings that interaction.
precede or accompany publication of full coverage. Entries Environment reporting: A single or series of report(s) on a
should include links to a series of social posts that first broad range of environmental topics.
reported a breaking news event. Feature reporting: A report or series not considered “hard
Collaborative coverage: News coverage executed by news,” such as profiles, human interest stories, etc. Submit up
multiple outlets exhibiting collaborative efforts to share to 3 examples on a single topic.
resources and information. Entries must involve joint, one- Health reporting: A single or series of report(s) on a broad
time or sustained coverage by newsrooms under separate range of health topics.
ownership. Newsletter strategy: Regular news curation that compellingly
Community/local news reporting: A single or series of and effectively generates an audience or heightens awareness
report(s) covering issues affecting specific communities or of the events of a day, week or month. Entries may include up
neighborhoods. to 3 examples of newsletters that creatively or efficiently
Consumer/watchdog/investigative reporting: A story or collect and convey news coverage, feature works or opinion
series of stories that looks out for citizens' interests, such as pieces.
saving a family’s home, helping correct injustice or exposing Racial justice reporting: A single or series of report(s) that
corruption. Print and online resources may be used. Submit up have helped end racial injustice and instead promote equality
to 3 examples on a single topic. on the basis of race.
Digital-media presentation: A single entry demonstrating Social media strategy: Consistently effective use of social
excellence in blending multiple media into a single digital media channels to highlight, discuss or explain news events
presentation. and journalistic works. Entries may include up to 5 examples
Education reporting: A single or series of report(s) on a of social postings that demonstrate excellence in strategically
broad range of educational topics. expanding or engaging audiences.
Engagement-driven coverage: News coverage that draws on
content contributed or topics generated by readers. Entries can

Open Categories
Any format – broadcast, print or digital -- is eligible.
Deadline: Friday, Feb. 19, 2021

Categories:
Automotive reporting: Includes coverage of OEMs, suppliers Criticism: Includes art, music, film, book, theater and
or dealers. Entries will be judged on quality, timeliness and restaurant reviews or recurring cultural commentary. Submit 3
exclusiveness. If being first was important, provide examples.
documentation of how others followed. Submit 3 examples. Editorial cartoon: Submit 3 cartoons.
Car review: Submit 3 reviews from a single writer. Informational graphics: A storytelling graphic that illustrates
Cover design: Magazines and some tabloid newspapers. an aspect of a news or feature story.
(Depending on the format, tabloid newspapers have the option Magazine spread design: Magazines and some tabloid
of entering as page one newspaper or magazine cover, but not newspapers. (Depending on the format, tabloid newspapers
both.) Submit a 1-page layout. have the option of entering as a newspaper feature or
magazine spread, but not both.) Submit a 1- or 2-page layout.

Questions? Call (313) 288-9546 or e-mail [email protected].

 PRINT
Deadline: Friday, Feb. 19, 2021

Class A: Stories/photos published in any newspaper of greater than 100,000 circulation; by wire services; or in
magazines, trade publications and non-daily entertainment/alternative newspapers of greater than 50,000 circulation.
Class B: Stories/photos published in daily newspapers of less than 100,000 circulation. Publications in Class B may
choose to compete in Class A.
Class C: Stories/photos published in any non-daily newspaper, magazine, or trade publication of less than 50,000
circulation. Publications in Class C may choose to compete in Class A or Class B.
Class D: This class is for in-house and custom publications such as those produced by universities, membership
organizations or other nonprofits and businesses.
NOTE: Entry classifications are determined by the publication’s circulation. For chains and group publications sharing
editorial or photographic copy across several publications or nameplates, the largest circulation of any single publication
within the group should be used; if the story or photo was used only in one publication, use that publication’s circulation.

Categories:
Community/local news reporting: A single or series of Headline writing: An individual (not team) award. Submit 5
report(s) covering issues affecting specific communities or headlines by one headline writer. Include stories.
neighborhoods. Health reporting: A single or series of report(s) on a broad
Consumer/watchdog reporting: A story or series of stories range of health topics.
that looks out for citizens' interests, such as saving a family's Inside news page design: Newspapers only. Submit a 1- or 2-
home, helping correct injustice or exposing corruption. Print page layout.
and online resources may be used. Submit up to 3 examples on Investigative reporting: A story or series covering a
a single topic. significant problem or issue. Entries must show enterprise,
Cover design: Magazines and some tabloid newspapers. initiative, depth and research by a reporter or team. Submit up
(Depending on the format, tabloid newspapers have the option to 5 examples on a single topic.
of entering as page one newspaper or magazine cover, but not Magazine spread design: Magazines and some tabloid
both.) Submit a 1-page layout. newspapers. (Depending on the format, tabloid newspapers
Editorial writing: An individual editorial that appears on the have the option of entering as a newspaper feature or
editorial or op-ed page. Submit up to 3 examples. magazine spread, but not both.) Submit a 1- or 2-page layout.
Education reporting: A single or series of report(s) on a News photography: A single, compelling photo of a
broad range of educational topics. breaking-news event.
Environment reporting: A single or series of report(s) on a Open-government reporting: To individuals or news
broad range of environmental topics. organizations for significant, effective coverage promoting
Explanatory story: Helps readers make sense of a complex open government in Michigan. Submit up to 3 examples on a
topic. Print and online resources may be used. Submit up to 3 single topic.
related stories. Page one design: Newspapers only. Submit a 1-page layout.
Feature page design: Newspapers only. Submit a 1- or 2- Portrait photography: A single, compelling portrait photo.
page layout. Racial justice reporting: A single or series of report(s) that
Feature photography: A single, compelling photo not of a have helped end racial injustice and instead promote equality
breaking-news event. on the basis of race.
Feature reporting: A report or series not considered “hard Sports column writing: Sports commentary appearing on a
news” such as profiles, human interest stories, etc. Submit up regular basis by a single writer. Submit 3 columns. No blogs.
to 3 examples on a single topic. Sports page design: Newspapers only. Submit a 1- or 2-page
General column writing: Regularly appearing viewpoint, layout.
business, features or news columns by a single writer. Submit Sports photography: A single, compelling sports photo.
3 columns. No blogs. Sports reporting: A single game, news or feature story
General news reporting: A story or series resulting from a related to sports. Submit up to 3 examples.
journalist’s initiative but excluding coverage of breaking or Spot or breaking news reporting: Single-day coverage of
developing news. Submit up to 3 examples on a single topic. breaking or developing news written on deadline.

Questions? Call (313) 288-9546 or e-mail [email protected].

 Journalist of the Year’ and ‘Young Journalist of the Year’
Deadline: Friday, Feb. 26, 2021
The Journalist and Young Journalist of the Year competition is Judges will consider the nominee’s impact on the practice of
open to all journalists (reporters, editors, producers, anchors, journalism through outstanding work or exemplary service to
photojournalists, etc.) in Michigan. or leadership in the profession during 2020. Entry must be for
the nominee’s original work.
Each nomination must include:
1. Nomination letter. A statement from a Journalist of the Year: Nominees should have produced
supervisor/employer stating why the individual should be outstanding work, performed exemplary service and/or
considered. Freelance nominees must include 2 exhibited extraordinary leadership over the year in the practice
supporting/nominating letters. of journalism in Michigan.
2. Resume. A work history of the nominee. Young Journalist of the Year: Nominees must be age 30 or
3. Work samples. “Journalist of the Year” entries must younger or have turned 31 in 2020. Nominees must have at
include a minimum of 5 and maximum 10 work samples. least one year of paid, full-time work experience. Equivalent
“Young Journalist” entries must include a minimum of 3 and experience as a freelancer qualifies. Internships do not qualify.
maximum of 5 work samples. Each entry must include a brief
explanation with each work sample, and context for the No entry fee is required.
judges, who may be unfamiliar with the market. Freelance
nominees must include at least 10 work samples.

SCHOLARSHIPS
Deadline: Friday, Feb. 26, 2021

SPJ Detroit annually awards a $2,500 grant to a Michigan years, including stints at the Royal Oak Daily Tribune, the
resident who is or will be a sophomore, junior or senior at a Macomb Daily, United Press International and finally as city
college or university with a demonstrated interest in editor of the Oakland Press.
journalism. The chapter’s board of directors maintains the
right to offer more scholarships as permitted. Applicants must intend to practice journalism, as evidenced by
enrollment in journalism classes and by work from those
This award may be used at any institution of higher education. classes, or clips published in student or professional
publications. Financial need is considered.
The award honors the late Lawrence (Larry) A. Laurain, who
was serving as president of the Detroit chapter of the Society No entry fee is required.
of Professional Journalists at the time of his death in August
1985 of esophageal cancer. His journalism career spanned 17

Applications must include:

1. Portfolio. At least three clips of any published or classroom-produced samples of the applicant’s writing or other news-related
reporting.
2. Letter of recommendation. A statement from a teacher, dean or adviser familiar with the applicant’s work or who can affirm
the applicant’s enrollment in a journalism class, academic status or purported interest in journalism.
3. Personal narrative/essay. A double-spaced, titled document that addresses any of the issues cited below.

An applicant’s personal narrative should address any of the following points:

● Why do you want to be a journalist?
● What are your career goals after graduation?
● Describe your journalism-related activities and how they have advanced your journalist training.
● List your educational, campus and social activities with brief details of their influence on you.
● Describe the most important challenge facing journalists today.
● Identify the person in journalism you would most like to emulate and why?
● What would winning this award mean to you?

Questions? Call (313) 288-9546 or e-mail [email protected].