Contact:
Heather Porter, Programs Coordinator, (317) 927-8000, ext. 204
Beth King, Communications Manager, (317) 927-8000, ext. 211

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce that it is now accepting entries for the New America Award. The award honors public service journalism collaborations that include ethnic media in order to explore and expose an issue of importance to immigrant or ethnic communities in the United States.

Any ethnic media organization (or journalist) and any non-ethnic media organization (or journalist) may be nominated based on the quality, depth and impact of their collaborative work. SPJ welcomes nominations from media outlets, journalists, community and issue advocacy groups, individuals and others concerned with ethnic and immigrant issues.

To be eligible, work must have been published or broadcast during the 2007 calendar year. All entries must be in English, or provide English translations, and be postmarked by March 3, 2008. The nominated work must have been a true collaboration of reporting, writing, editing and publication/broadcast, not merely a translation from one language to another. Each submission must include a completed entry form and be accompanied by a cover letter. There is no entry fee for the contest.

For more information on the awards and to obtain an entry form, please visit the New America Award Web page . Programs Coordinator Heather Porter also may be contacted at (317) 927-8000 ext. 204.

Past winners of the contest include:

2006-First Place: AARP Bulletin in collaboration with AARP Segunda Juventud for “Be Smart with Your Money/Sabios con su dinero”

2005-First Place: WNYC Radio, The Center for New York City Affairs at The New School in collaboration with Minnesota Public Radio and Macollvie Jean-Francois, Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska and Arun Venugopal for “Feet in Two Worlds: Immigrants in a Global City”

2004-First Place: Mary C. Johns and Beauty Turner of Residents' Journal in collaboration with Brian J. Rogal of The Chicago Reporter for “Deadly Moves”

The Society of Professional Journalists works to improve and protect journalism. SPJ is dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, and based in Indianapolis, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed public, works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists, and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. For more information about SPJ and SDX, please visit www.spj.org .

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