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You may submit nominations for the Sigma Delta Chi Awards using this online entry form. The deadline will be here before you know it, so enter online today!
(Some exceptions apply. Please review the rules below and category-specific criteria at this link.)
Newspapers
Deadline Reporting
— Non-Daily Publication
— Daily Circulation of 1-50,000
— Daily Circulation of 50,001-100,000
— Daily Circulation of 100,001+
This award recognizes a reporter or team for deadline reporting of a single event. Entries must have been published in the issue that directly follows the event. Entry must be about a single breaking news event.
Entrants should submit a link to the online article or a PDF of the newspaper page on which the story appeared. The date of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the work will not be accepted.
Non-Deadline Reporting
— Non-Daily Publication
— Daily Circulation of 1-50,000
— Daily Circulation of 50,001-100,000
— Daily Circulation of 100,001+
This award recognizes a reporter or team for non-deadline reporting of a single event or issue. Entry may be a single article or a series of no more than five articles.
Entrants should submit a link to the online article or a PDF of the newspaper page on which the story appeared. The date of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the work will not be accepted.
Investigative Reporting
— Non-Daily Publication
— Daily Circulation of 1-50,000
— Daily Circulation of 50,001-100,000
— Daily Circulation of 100,001+
This award recognizes a reporter or team for investigative reporting of a single event or issue. Entry may be a single article or a series of no more than five articles.
Entrants should submit a link to the online article or a PDF of the newspaper page on which the story appeared. The date of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the work will not be accepted.
Feature Reporting
— Non-Daily Publication
— Daily Circulation of 1-50,000
— Daily Circulation of 50,001-100,000
— Daily Circulation of 100,001+
This award recognizes a reporter or team for feature writing. Entry may be personality profiles, trend stories, human interest stories, or any feature that is not a breaking news story. Entries may be a single article or series of no more than five.
Entrants should submit a link to the online article or a PDF of the newspaper page on which the story appeared. The date of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the work will not be accepted.
Editorial Writing
— Daily Circulation of 1-100,000/Non-Daily Publication
— Daily Circulation of 100,001+
This award recognizes an editorial writer or team of writers. Entry may be one editorial or a series of no more than five on a single subject. Judges will consider whether the conclusion is logical, fair and of general importance to the community.
Entrants should submit links to the editorials online or PDFs of the newspaper page on which the editorials appeared. The dates of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the editorials will not be accepted.
Washington Correspondence
This award recognizes a correspondent on assignment in Washington, D.C. Entry must consist of a minimum of three different articles demonstrating insightful coverage of significant events or issues. Five article limit.
Entrants should submit a link to the online articles or a PDF of the newspaper page on which the story appeared. The date of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the work will not be accepted.
Foreign Correspondence
This award recognizes a correspondent on assignment outside the U.S. Entry must consist of a minimum of three articles demonstrating insightful coverage of significant events or issues. Five article limit.
Entrants should submit a link to the online article or a PDF of the newspaper page on which the story appeared. The date of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the work will not be accepted.
General Column Writing
— Daily Circulation of 1-100,000/Non-Daily Publication
— Daily Circulation of 100,001+
This award recognizes a columnist who writes about topics of general interest on a regular basis. Entry must consist of five different columns.
Entrants should submit links to the columns online or PDFs of the newspaper page on which the columns appeared. The dates of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the columns will not be accepted.
Sports Column Writing
— Daily Circulation of 1-100,000/Non-Daily Publication
— Daily Circulation of 100,001+
This award recognizes a columnist who writes about sports on a regular basis. Entry must consist of five different columns.
Entrants should submit links to the columns online or PDFs of the newspaper page on which the columns appeared. The dates of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the columns will not be accepted.
Public Service Journalism
— Non-Daily Publication
— Daily Circulation of 1-50,000
— Daily Circulation of 50,001-100,000
— Daily Circulation of 100,001+
This award recognizes a newspaper that renders public service through extensive coverage of an issue facing the community it serves. Entry may be a single article or a series of no more than 10 articles.
Entrants should submit a link to the online articles or a PDF of the newspaper pages on which the story appeared. The date of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the work will not be accepted.
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Magazines
Magazine Writing
Magazine Writing
— Regional/Local Circulation
— National Circulation
This award recognizes the work of a magazine writer or team. Entry may be a single article or a series of no more than five articles on the same subject.
Entrants should submit a link to the online article or a PDF of the magazine page on which the story appeared. The date of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the article will not be accepted.
Magazine Investigative Reporting
— Regional/Local Circulation
— National Circulation
This award is given to a magazine reporter or reporting team for investigative reporting. Entry may be a single article or a series of no more than five articles. Sidebars may be included.
Entrants should submit a link to the online article or a PDF of the magazine page on which the story appeared. The date of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the article will not be accepted.
Public Service in Magazine Journalism
— Regional/Local Circulation
— National Circulation
This award recognizes a magazine or reporter that renders public service through extensive coverage of an issue facing society. Entry may be a single article or a series of no more than five articles. Editorials, commentaries and sidebars may be included. (Trade magazines with general circulation, magazine sections of newspapers and Sunday newspaper supplements also should be entered in this category.)
Entrants should submit a link to the online article or a PDF of the magazine page on which the story appeared. The date of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the article will not be accepted.
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Art/Graphics
Breaking News Photography
— Newspaper Circulation of 1-100,000/Regional Magazine/ Non-Daily Publication/Online Independent
— Newspaper Circulation of 100,001+ or Affiliated Website/National Magazine
This award recognizes a photographer or team, either staff or freelance. Entry should be a single, compelling image of a breaking news event.
For photographs published in a newspaper, magazine or on an online news site.
Entrant should submit a PDF of the newspaper/magazine page on which the photo appeared, or a link to the photo published on an online news site. The date of publication should be visible.
Feature Photography
— Newspaper Circulation of 1-100,000/Regional Magazine/ Non-Daily Publication/Online Independent
— Newspaper Circulation of 100,001+ or Affiliated Website/National Magazine
This award recognizes a photographer or team, either staff or freelance, for work featuring personality profiles, trends, human interest of any other feature that is not a breaking news story. Entry may be a single photo or a series of no more than three photos on a single subject.
Entrant should submit a PDF of the newspaper/magazine page on which the photo appeared, or a link to the photo published on an online news site. The date of publication should be visible.
Sports Photography
— Newspaper Circulation of 1-100,000/Regional Magazine/ Non-Daily Publication/Online Independent
— Newspaper Circulation of 100,001+ or Affiliated Website/National Magazine
This award recognizes a photographer or team, either staff or freelance, for work featuring a sports event or sports figure. Entry should be a single photo. The photograph will be judged on technical excellence, newsworthiness and evidence that the photographer(s) exercised unusual diligence of ingenuity.
Entrant should submit a PDF of the newspaper/magazine page on which the photo appeared, or a link to the photo published on an online news site. The date of publication should be visible.
Editorial Cartooning
— Newspaper Circulation of 1-100,000/Regional Magazine/ Non-Daily Publication/Online Independent
— Newspaper Circulation of 100,001+ or Affiliated Website/National Magazine
This award recognizes an editorial cartoon published in a newspaper, magazine, newsletter or online news site. They will be judged on craftsmanship, interest, forcefulness, general worth and originality.
Entrants should submit PDFs of five different cartoons on marked newspaper/magazine pages, or links to the cartoons published on an online news site. The date of publication should be visible.
Informational Graphics
— Newspaper Circulation of 1-100,000/Regional Magazine/ Non-Daily Publication/Online Independent
— Newspaper Circulation of 100,001+ or Affiliated Website/National Magazine
This award recognizes newspaper, magazine, newsletter or online news site graphic artist or team for storytelling graphics that bring important information to readers about an event, process or set of statistics. Clarity, originality, impact and quality of execution will distinguish the work. Entry may be a single graphic or a related series of graphics on a single subject.
Entrant should submit a PDF of the marked newspaper/magazine page on which the graphic appeared, or a link to the graphic published on an online news site. The date of publication should be visible.
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Radio
Radio Breaking News Reporting
— Large Market (1-100 or Network Syndication)
— Small Market (101+)
This award recognizes resourceful and complete coverage of a major breaking news event, emphasizing both deadline reporting and continuing coverage as the story develops over succeeding days. Entries may include both initial reports broadcast within 24 hours of the event and up to five follow-up reports. Maximum running time: 15 minutes. All audio files must be .mp3 (preferred), .wav or .aiff format. Audio in other formats will not be accepted.
Radio Investigative Reporting
— Large Market (1-100 or Network Syndication)
— Small Market (101+)
This award recognizes a reporter or team for investigative reporting of a single event or issue. Entries may be a single broadcast or a series of no more than five parts. Maximum running time: 15 minutes. This category is for short reports; documentaries have a separate category. All audio files must be .mp3 (preferred), .wav or .aiff format. Audio in other formats will not be accepted.
Radio Feature Reporting
— Large Market (1-100 or Network Syndication)
— Small Market (101+)
This award recognizes a reporter or team for features. Entry may be personality profiles, trend stories, human-interest stories or any feature that is not breaking news. Entries may be a single broadcast or series of no more than three parts. Maximum running time: 10 minutes. All audio files must be .mp3 (preferred), .wav or .aiff format. Audio in other formats will not be accepted.
Radio Documentaries
— Large Market (1-100 or Network Syndication)
— Small Market (101+)
This award recognizes reporters and production teams that dramatically show or analyze a news event, issue or feature in a single broadcast. The broadcast may be part of a documentary series but must stand alone in telling its story. Maximum running time: 60 minutes. Documentary Series themselves may be considered in the Public Service category, if applicable. All audio files must be .mp3 (preferred), .wav or .aiff format. Audio in other formats will not be accepted.
Mail-in option: Entrant MUST fill out entry form on the awards site, print out the confirmation form and include it with the submitted CD. Entrants should submit documentary on one CD. Label the CD with the name of the entry, media outlet and entrants’ names. [How to print your confirmation form]
Public Service in Radio Journalism
— Large Market (1-100 or Network Syndication)
— Small Market (101+)
This award recognizes a radio news organization (station, network or group) that renders public service through extensive coverage of an issue facing the community it serves. Reporting may be conducted by one reporter or a team. Entry may be a single broadcast or a series of no more than five parts. Maximum running time: 30 minutes. Commercially sponsored programs are ineligible unless produced and controlled by the news organization. All audio files must be .mp3 (preferred), .wav or .aiff format. Audio in other formats will not be accepted.
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Television
Breaking News Coverage
— Network/Syndication Service/Program Service
— Large-Market Station: 1-50 market
— Small-Market Station: 50+ market
Each award recognizes resourceful and complete coverage of a major breaking news event, emphasizing both deadline reporting and continuing coverage as the story develops over succeeding days. Entries must include both initial reports broadcast within 24 hours of the event and up to five follow-up reports. Maximum running time: 15 minutes.
Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.
Video produced for original digital presentation (aired only online) should enter the Online Digital Video Category.
Investigative Reporting
— Network/Syndication Service/Program Service
— Large-Market Station: 1-50 market
— Small-Market Station: 50+ market
Each award recognizes a reporter or team for investigative reporting of a single event or issue. Entry may be a single broadcast or a series of no more than five parts. Maximum running time: 15 minutes. This category is for short reports; documentaries have a separate category.
Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.
Video produced for original digital presentation (aired only online) should enter the Online Digital Video Category.
Feature Reporting
— Network/Syndication Service/Program Service
— Large-Market Station: 1-50 market
— Small-Market Station: 50+ market
Each award recognizes a reporter or team for features. Entry may be personality profiles, trend stories, human-interest stories or any feature that is not breaking news. Entry may be a single broadcast or series of no more than three parts. Maximum running time: 10 minutes.
Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.
Video produced for original digital presentation (aired only online) should enter the Online Digital Video Category.
Documentaries
— Network/Syndication Service/Program Service
— Large-Market Station: 1-50 market
— Small-Market Station: 50+ market
Each award recognizes reporters and production teams that dramatically show or analyze a news event, issue or feature in a single telecast. The telecast may be part of a documentary series but must stand alone in telling its story. Maximum running time: 60 minutes. Documentary Series themselves may be considered in the Public Service category, if applicable.
Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.
Video produced for original digital presentation (aired only online) should enter the Online Digital Video Category.
Mail-in option: Entrant MUST fill out entry form on the awards site, print out the confirmation form and include it with the submitted DVD. Label DVD with the category, name of the entry, media outlet and entrants’ names. [How to print your confirmation form]
Public Service in Television Journalism
— Network/Syndication Service/Program Service
— Large-Market Station: 1-50 market
— Small-Market Station: 50+ market
Each award recognizes a television news organization that renders public service through extensive coverage of an issue facing the community it serves. Reporting may be conducted by one reporter or a team. Entry may be a single broadcast or a series of no more than five parts. Maximum running time: 30 minutes. Commercially sponsored programs are ineligible unless produced and controlled by the news organization.
Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.
Video produced for original digital presentation (aired only online) should enter the Online Digital Video Category.
Mail-in option: Entrant MUST fill out entry form on the awards site, print out the confirmation form and include it with the submitted DVD. Label DVD with the category, name of the entry, media outlet and entrants’ names. [How to print your confirmation form]
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Newsletters
Public Service in Newsletter Journalism
This award recognizes a newsletter that renders outstanding public service through extensive coverage of an issue facing the community it serves. Entry may be a single article or a series of no more than five articles. Editorials and commentaries may be added. (Entries are limited to independent newsletters that have been issued regularly for more than one year and are supported by advertising, paid subscriptions or non-profit institutions.)
Entrant should submit a PDF of the newsletter, or a link to the site where the newsletter is published online.
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Research
Research about Journalism
This award recognizes an investigative study about some aspect of journalism. The entry must be based on original research; either published or unpublished, and must have been completed during the 2012 calendar year. Entries may relate to any field of journalism. Judges will consider value to the profession, significance of the subject matter, thoroughness of the research, and soundness of the conclusion. Broadcast programs are not eligible for this category. Please submit three copies of each entry.
Entries must be mailed/shipped to SPJ Headquarters. No electronic entries will be accepted in this category. Entrant MUST fill out entry form on the awards site, print out the confirmation form and include it with the entry. [How to print your confirmation form]
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Online
Online Deadline Reporting
— Affiliated
— Independent
This award recognizes a reporter or team for online deadline reporting of a single breaking news event. Entries must have been published on the Web site within 24 hours of the event. The date of publication should be visible.
Entries should consist of one main URL and up to five additional URLs to highlight specific features of the article or package. Entries that do not provide complete and accurate URLs will be disqualified. Entrants must keep their nominated entries intact and accessible until September 30, 2013.
Online Non-Deadline Reporting
— Affiliated
— Independent
This award recognizes a reporter or team for online non-deadline reporting of a single event or issue. Entry may be a single article or series of no more than five articles and may include additional materials. The date of publication should be visible.
Entries should consist of one main URL and up to five additional URLs to highlight specific features of the article or package. Entries that do not provide complete and accurate URLs will be disqualified. Entrants must keep their nominated entries intact and accessible until September 30, 2013.
Online Investigative Reporting
— Affiliated
— Independent
This award recognizes a reporter or team for investigative reporting of a single event or issue. Entry may be a single article or series of no more than five articles and may include additional materials. The date of publication should be visible.
Entries should consist of one main URL and up to five additional URLs to highlight specific features of the article or package. Entries that do not provide complete and accurate URLs will be disqualified. Entrants must keep their nominated entries intact and accessible until September 30, 2013.
Online Column Writing
— Affiliated
— Independent
This award recognizes a columnist who writes about topics of general interest on a regular basis. Entry must consist of five different columns.
Entrants should submit links to columns published on an online news site. The date of publication should be visible. Entries that do not provide complete and accurate URLs will be disqualified. Entrants must keep their nominated entries intact and accessible until September 30, 2013.
Specialized Journalism Site
This award recognizes a journalism Web site that focuses on a single topic. Judges will consider content, ingenuity, interactivity and use of multimedia tools.
Each entry should consist of one URL. If affiliated, site should have an independent domain name. Entries that do not provide a complete and accurate URL will be disqualified. Entrants must keep their nominated entries intact and accessible until September 30, 2013.
Judging will take place February-April 2013. This category will be judged on content as presented during this time span.
Digital Media Presentation
Digital Video: A breaking news, feature or investigative report created for original online presentation. Entries must be no more than 15 minutes long and may be edited for length.
Digital Audio: A breaking news, feature or investigative report created for original online presentation. Entries must be no more than 15 minutes long and may be edited for length.
Audio Slide Show: A multimedia presentation that combines still images and audio to tell a story. Entries may be on any topic.
Judges will consider relevance of topic, content, ingenuity.
Entries should consist of one URL. Entries that do not provide a complete and accurate URL will be disqualified. Entrants must keep their nominated entries intact and accessible until September 30, 2013.
Public Service in Online Journalism
— Affiliated
— Independent
This award recognizes a news organization that renders a public service through extensive coverage of an issue facing the society. Commercially sponsored programs are ineligible unless produced and controlled by the news organization.
Entries should consist of one main URL and up to five additional URLs to highlight specific features of the article or package. Entries that do not provide complete and accurate URLs will be disqualified. Entrants must keep their nominated entries intact and accessible until September 30, 2013.
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For more information contact SPJ Headquarters at 317/927-8000 or via e-mail.