SNPA Honors Excellence
Through Better Newspaper Contest
During the closing morning of this year’s Annual Convention, the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association honored excellence on the part of its members in the areas of page design, web sites, multimedia story presentation and local stories. Top honors in the various categories were presented to daily newspapers in Gainesville, Ga.; Tulsa, Okla.; Charleston, S.C.; Nashville, Tenn.; Victoria, Texas (which took two first-place awards); Bristol, Va.; and Norfolk, Va.
In each category, three top prizes were awarded in each of two circulation breakouts.
Best Front-Page Design (under 50,000 circulation)
In the category honoring Best Front-Page Design, first-place honors in the “under-50,000” circulation category were presented to the Victoria Advocate, Victoria, Texas, for its front page on Dec. 19, 2007. This award recognizes excellence in the makeup and appearance of the front-page and how the newspaper’s staff put together the various elements of the page. Judges looked at overall makeup and appearance, art and headlines – which all combine to create a compelling page that draws readers.
The prize for second place goes to The Times, Gainesville, Ga., for the April 6, 2008, front page, and third place went to The News & Advance, Lynchburg, Va., for the April 16, 2008 edition.
Three honorable mentions were awarded in this circulation break-out:
- The News-Topic, Lenoir, N.C. (March 22, 2008)
- The Ironton Tribune, Ironton, Ohio (Aug. 17, 2008)
- Victoria Advocate, Victoria, Texas (Jan. 12, 2008)
Best Front-Page Design (over 50,000 circulation)
Among larger circulation papers (over 50,000 daily circulation), top honors were awarded to The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va., for its front page on April 30, 2008.
Second place went to the Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal for its July 5, 2008, front page. Third-place honors were presented to The State, Columbia, S.C., for its Jan. 1, 2008, front page.
Honorable mentions go to:
- The Roanoke Times, Roanoke, Va. (April 16, 2008)
- The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Okla. (Dec. 11, 2007)
- The State, Columbia, S.C. (Feb. 4, 2008)
- The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va. (July 10, 2008)
- Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, Va. (June 4, 2008)
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1st Place
The Virginian-Pilot
Norfolk, Va.
Judges' comments
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2nd Place
Winston-Salem Journal
Winston-Salem, N.C.
Judges' comments |
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| Best Front-Page Design – Over 50,000 Circulation |
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| Best Front-Page Design – Over 50,000 Circulation |
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Honorable Mention
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Richmond, Va.
Judges' comments |
Best Web Site (under 50,000 circulation)
In a separate Better Newspaper Contest category, newspaper web sites were evaluated. First-place in the “under-50,000” circulation category was presented to www.gainesvilletimes.com, the web site of The Times in Gainesville, Ga., which one judge said was “easily the best” site nominated.
In determining awards in this category, judges didn’t consider how many hits a Web site attracts. Instead, they looked at the overall Internet experience that a reader coming to the page should expect to have. Honors were awarded based on ease of navigation, search capabilities, attractive design, a promotional avenue for the print product, plus any extras offered by the site.
The judging panel for both design categories was put together and overseen by Randy Stano, professor of practice in visual journalism in the School of Communication at the University of Miami.
Second-place honors in this category recognized the web site of the Asheville (N.C.) Citizen-Times: www.citizen-times.com and third place was left in a tie – between two sites hosted by the Amarillo (Texas) Globe-News: www.pigskinreview.com and www.amarillouptown.com.
An Honorable Mention was awarded to the Bristol (Va.) Herald Courier for its web site – www.tricities.com.
Best Web Site (over 50,000 circulation)
Among papers with daily circulations over 50,000, top honors were awarded to the web site produced by The Tennessean in Nashville: www.tennessean.com.
Judges ranked www.tulsaworld.com, the web site of the Tulsa (Okla.) World, in second place and third place went to www.knoxnews.com, the web site of the Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel.
Two Honorable Mentions were presented in this circulation breakout, to the web site of The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, (www.wimgo.com) and to the web site of The News & Observer of Raleigh, N.C. (www.newsobserver.com).
Judges' comments will be posted soon.
Best Use of Multimedia (under 50,000 circulation)
In the category honoring Best Use of Multimedia, first place in the “under-50,000” circulation category was presented to the Victoria Advocate, Victoria, Texas, for a multimedia presentation of a special report titled “The Fatal Funnel.” Judges said this entry – about 19 immigrants who died five years ago in a tractor-trailer that was transporting them across the border – represented “some of the best storytelling among all the entries we found.” They said the video was outstanding in that respect – “one of the rare cases where narrated video packages actually work well on the Web to extend the story.”
This category of SNPA’s Better Newspaper Contest focuses on all of the elements that go into good storytelling. Winning entries needed to demonstrate use of all of the tools that come together to tell a visual story for readers: the depth of print, the immediacy of video/audio and the interactivity of the Web.
Second place went to the Amarillo Globe-News, Amarillo, Texas, for www.pigskinreview.com. Judges said this was an impressive site “with about every bell and whistle you could want on each team, plus a lot of extras.”
Third-place honors were awarded to The Charleston Gazette, Charleston, W.Va., for its presentation of a three-part series titled “Hidden: On the Trail of a Bank Robber.” Judges said this comprehensive site with multimedia assets extended the story well beyond print.
Best Use of Multimedia (over 50,000 circulation)
Awards also were presented in a separate category for newspapers with daily circulations over 50,000. The Tulsa World, Tulsa, Okla., placed first for its multimedia presentation of “Lost Lives: A Decade of Tulsa Homicides.” This comprehensive site “handles the topic with sensitivity,” judges said. They called the interactive maps and database an “especially nice touch.”
The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va., took second place for a special report on guns in Virginia. Judges said this presentation “has almost all the elements and goes beyond the usual video/slideshow (and even map) combo. The quiz, the interactive time line, the Flash graphic of the gun and its parts (and the shots) all provide interactives beyond normal.”
The Lexington Herald-Leader, Lexington, Ky., placed third for a multimedia story about a Kentucky mother’s struggle through drug court. Judges said the comprehensive site “presents us with a deep look at the problem, but also provides the user with solutions through outlinks and phone numbers.”
Best Local Story (under 50,000 circulation)
Among smaller-circulation papers, first-place honors in the final contest category – Best Local Story – went to the Bristol Herald Courier, Bristol, Va., for a multi-part series on government salaries called “It’s Your Money.” Based on 13 months of work and data gathered by filing hundreds of Freedom of Information Act requests, the Herald Courier published a three-day series exploring the salaries of public officials and whether local agencies, knew, understood and were willing to obey public records law. The paper also launched an online, searchable database of names, positions and salaries of 18,000 public officials in 65 cities, towns, counties and school systems across their region.
One judge commented: “This was a superb project that every newspaper should be willing and able to produce – it’s certainly obvious that readers are interested. The work investment to obtain, organize and explore this information makes this impressive. It is a well-written and balanced piece. Jurisdictions that complied with the law are highlighted as well as ones that did not – there’s no “gotcha” aspect here, just solid reporting on the service citizens are getting from their governments.”
This category was designed to honor the most compelling local news, sports, feature or investigation/enterprise story that shares insight into the community. Entries could be a single story or a multi-part package. Judges were looking for the unique local stories about people, places or things that would make them stop and want to read.
The High Point Enterprise, High Point, N.C., took second place for “A Long Time Healing” – a story of a 61-year-old man whose life was changed by a horrific fire that took place more than half a century earlier.
Judges commented:
- “I felt this was an amazingly powerful story. The human interest side of a local resident who took a personal tragedy and turned his life into a powerful force of change for others is quite remarkable. I think the journalist really shared a beautiful story of faith.”
- “This story was the most moving of the entries. Good work tracking down people involved with a fire from more than 50 years ago, combined with excellent writing – the best in any of the entries.”
Third place was awarded to the Victoria Advocate, Victoria, Texas, for “The Fatal Funnel” – about 19 immigrants who died five years ago in a tractor-trailer that was transporting them across the border.
Judges said:
- “This story not only told of the immigrants’ death, but also broader issues around immigration and the community. The stories are told through a personal lens bringing the reader right into the whole situation. As a reader, I felt compelled to keep reading the various accounts. While I read, I learned about specific incidents, but also learned about the individuals involved in the response or the incident itself. This entry held together a wide variety of stories in a compelling coherent way.”
- “Another project with a substantial investment in time, effort and space, to good effect. These are stories that need to be retold, and your work getting the people involved to open up is evident. It is a courageous work of journalism. I wish there had been more focus on what’s changed, and, if nothing has, what needs to change. As one witness noted, “This will happen again.” I felt this angle needed to be explored more – after all, isn’t preventing this from happening again the point of reliving it?”
Two Honorable Mentions were awarded by judges in the “under 50,000” circulation bracket:
- The Decatur Daily, Decatur, Ala., for “The Just and The Unjust” – a special report following the devastation brought by a tornado hurtling through Lawrence County.
- One judge called this a “wonderful example of storytelling with great detail. The focus on ‘The Just and The Unjust’ angle made the story. I wished for a broader view of the community and the aftermath.”
- Another judge said: “This story brought me right into the lives of Jerry and Jewell and eventually the Lawrence County community hit by the storms of Feb. 6, 2008. The lead-in built suspense and drove me to keep reading to find out what was so important about February 2008 in Lawrence and then, eventually, why it affected the lives of these two people. As the story unfolded, I found myself bonding with the Waitses and hoping the best for them. The community response was heart warming. The feelings of loss, especially for the long-time neighbor and friend, gave an insight into how special this rural community is to the residents. The Waitses’ initial survival of the storm and their journey back to their property is also the story of the strength of a community. The final memorial to the individuals who died during the storm is very touching.”
- The Citizen, Key West, Fla., for “Flood of Complaints” – a story about the uphill battle consumers face with flood insurance claims.
- One judge said: “Super information presented on a topic of great misunderstanding. Good public service piece – a type that every newspaper should be running in its newspaper.” This judge said he felt the story could have been even better if it had been broken up into shorter pieces for readability.
- From another judge: “The story of one family’s struggle with insurance claims after their house was flooded by Hurricane Wilma brought me right into their personal struggle for reimbursement after a disaster. The writer did a great job of showing how the Gillis’ struggle could be our struggle. I found myself reading on to hear what they did to recover and submit claims. The writer wove in advice with the story of this household. You get the real sense that they are not the only ones in the community dealing with this. The story went from the specific case of the Gillis family to general tips of what to do to make sure you are covered and reimbursed if you ever have a similar problem. Like many good stories, it is a universal story told through the lens of an individual family that the masses can identify with and learn from.”
Best Local Story (over 50,000 circulation)
Taking first place for Best Local Story among papers with circulations over 50,000, was The Post and Courier, Charleston, S.C., for “The Mercury Connection.” This series was based on tests for mercury contamination that the newspaper did – on its own – of people who eat freshwater fish from two mercury hot spots. The paper collected hair samples, sent them to a lab and found that some frequent fish eaters have unusually high levels of mercury in their bodies.
Judges said:
- “Public-service journalism at its best. Clearly-written stories presented scientific evidence without getting bogged down in it to make clear a danger to public health that is getting overlooked.”
- “This is an impressive body of work. Reporters Tony Bartelme and Doug Pardue took a complicated subject, did excellent research and presented their findings in a way that readers could understand. They included information about how the presence of mercury had affected dozens of real people and how they reacted to that information. The material was specific, concise and well-researched. I particularly liked this series because it focused on a real problem and because the newspaper took the lead in uncovering information, not merely compiling it.”
The Tennessean in Nashville placed second for a multi-part series called “A New Middle Tennessee.” This multimedia presentation examined the growth that has been exploding around Nashville and how that growth is transforming the region – economically, physically and culturally – and whether the state, municipalities and individuals can steer growth in a direction of positive consensus.
Judges said:
- “Great legwork and research. An excellent chronicle of the region and the challenges it faces. Clean, clear writing. What made it the best was the work exploring the Atlanta region and the placement of Nashville’s challenges in contest of what happened in Atlanta.”
- “This series is a great poster child for the future of newspapers. No other media can commit so much staff time and expertise and column inches to a story that is so important to the community. Every story in this series by reporters Chas Sisk, Jennifer Brooks and Kate Howard was packed with information, statistics, experts and the local citizen. Everyone is interested in what’s happening in his community and how he can impact the changes. This was w-a-y beyond bureaucratic rehash. It’s this type of thorough reporting that makes a newspaper essential to its community.”
Third place was presented to The Birmingham News, Birmingham, Ala., for “Birmingham at a Crossroads.” This year-long series laid out the challenges facing the city: poverty, falling population, crime, blight and failing schools. Journalists from all sections of the paper interviewed hundreds of people, examined databases and gathered information from other cities to compile this series. “Birmingham at a Crossroads” created a public awareness that caused elected officials, business leaders, educators, civic organizations and neighborhoods to face the issues head-on.
Judges said:
- “Nicely-conceived story that became a look at the past, present and future of Birmingham. Well-researched, well-thought-out and well-written.”
- “This is the ultimate in local, local coverage. Readers want to read about local issues that affect them. They do an excellent job of covering all sides of the urban blight question. Not only do they identify the problems in a straight no holds bar fashion, they also offer solutions without sugar coating them. I was pleased they also addressed the racial overtones and hurdles in the articles. They used lots of data to support their premises and thesis. Overall, they took a very cumbersome and lengthy subject and put it into a succinct series that was easy to follow.”
Three Honorable Mentions were awarded. They go to:
- The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, for “DHS Paternity Goof Haunts Tulsa Man.”
- One judge commented, “A rare look at how an innocent citizen can be railroaded by state bureaucracy.”
- The Tulsa World, Tulsa, Okla., for “Faith Rules.”
- From one judge: “I believe newspapers have an obligation to introduce readers to the unique in their own neighborhoods. Michael Overall certainly accomplished that goal with his story about the workings of a local monastery. His writing is tight and elegant. He asked the right questions and answered them. First-rate job.”
- Another judge said: “Very interesting stories. Good writing and scene capture from a once-in-a-career opportunity to go where no one has been able to go before.“
- The Roanoke Times, Roanoke, Va., for “Age of Uncertainty.”
- A contest judge said: “Emotional and strong individual stories were well-chosen to paint overall larger pictures. “
- Another said, “This months-long series about aging caught my interest quickly. It paints an important picture of the health care issues and concerns that many of us are now facing with our aging parents … as well as things we should be considering for ourselves. As the Baby Boomer generation continues to age, there are so many age-related issues to consider: how to pay for affordable health care, how to help families whose loved ones are suffering with various forms of dementia, as well as issues surrounding relationships between family members struggling to meet the challenges.”
Later this week, access will be provided to newspapers that entered the contest allowing them to view all of the entries submitted in the categories that they entered.
Contact
Cindy Durham, Director of Member Services
Southern Newspaper Publishers Association
3680 North Peachtree Road, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30341
(404) 256-0444
cindy@snpa.org |
