CONTACT:

Heather Porter, Programs Coordinator, 317-927-8000 ext. 204 or hporter@spj.org

Beth King, Communications Manager, 317-927-8000 ext. 211 or bking@spj.org

Indianapolis - The Society of Professional Journalists announced today the winners of the “Best of” divisions and the Overall Best of Show for the Green Eyeshade Awards. The Green Eyeshade Awards have recognized the best in professional journalism in 11 southeastern states for 56 years. The states included in the contest are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.

The first place winners in each category, named in April, advanced to the “Best of” competition in their respective mediums. Those chosen as the “Best of” in each division then competed for the Overall Best of Show: The Green Eyeshade Award. That award went to Bernard Troncale of The Birmingham News for, “In the heart of AIDS warzone,” a photo essay covering AIDS in Zambia. Mr. Troncale will be honored with a $1,000 cash award.

All judging for the awards is done by professional journalists from outside the area the contest covers. For more information about the awards program or the Society, please contact Heather Porter at hporter@spj.org or 317-927-8000 ext. 204.

Best of Print
Bernard Troncale, The Birmingham News, “In the heart of AIDS warzone”

Best of Television
Stephen Stock, Travis Sherwin, Marc Rice & Jason Morrow, WESH-TV, “Doing Time, Stealing Your Money”

Best of Radio
Stephanie Martin, WFDD 88.5 FM, “NC National Guard at War”

Best of Online
Staff, Sun Herald, “Hurricane Katrina Online Coverage”

Best of Show—The Green Eyeshade Award
Bernard Troncale, The Birmingham News, “In the heart of AIDS warzone”

The Society of Professional Journalists works to improve and protect journalism. The organization is the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.

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