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2012 DC SPJ Dateline Awards Divisions and Categories

DIVISIONS

• Daily newspapers/wire services/Web site , includes dailies published five or more days a week, wire services and web-only publications.
• Weekly newspapers , published fewer than five days a week.
• Magazines, covering local issues, published in the Washington, D.C., area.
• Television, including on-air and cable channels, appealing solely to local audiences. Each entry should clearly labeled. DVDs are preferred; VHS tapes will be accepted.
• Radio, including city and suburban stations. Each entry should be clearly labeled. CDs are preferred; audio cassettes will be accepted.
• Web sites , see online entry guidelines below.

CATEGORIES

(Within Newspaper, Magazine, Radio and TV divisions)

• Spot News – A story or group of stories (no more than five) on the same breaking news event written or produced under deadline pressure by a reporter or reporting team.
• General News – A story or group of stories (no more than five) on a single topic by a reporter or reporting team, including analysis and news stories on subjects other than a breaking news event.
• Investigative Reporting – A story or group of stories (no more than five) displaying enterprise and uncovering harmful or dangerous conditions, corruption, incompetence, conflict of interest, abuse of the public trust or public harm. Judges will consider accuracy, extent and thoroughness of reporting, importance of the subject, extent to which the entry reveals previously unknown problems and impact of the work.
• Features – A story or group of stories (no more than five) on a single subject of general human interest, including profiles and consumer pieces. Judges will consider enterprise, obstacles overcome, style, clarity, accuracy and thoroughness.
• Sports – A story or group of stories (no more than five) on a single sports subject — excluding broadcast play-by-play.
• Editorial, Columns, Commentary – Up to five pieces on a single topic by an individual writer. Judges will consider the writer’s grasp of the subject, style, clarity and impact. (Newspaper and magazine awards only.)
• Business/Financial Reporting – A story or group of stories (no more than five) on a single subject in the area of business or finance by a reporter or reporting team.
• Arts Criticism – A single critical review covering any art form: literary, performing or visual arts. Judges will consider the writer’s grasp of the artist’s message, understanding of the art form, creativity, clarity and assessment of the work’s possible impact on the audience.
• Photojournalism – A photograph or series of photographs or a television broadcast on a single subject of local news by an individual photographer. Judges will consider creativity, emotional impact, obstacles overcome and the technical quality of the photo(s).