Dateline Awards – Divisions & Categories

Daily newspaper

…includes dailies published five or more days a week, wire services and web-only publications.

Weekly newspaper

…published fewer than five days a week.

Magazine

…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 be 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.

Newsletters/Trade Publications

…supported by subscription and/or advertising revenue and publications whose audience is specific to interest in a trade.

Online

…Internet/online publications include “web-zines” that appear exclusively in electronic form on the Internet on a regular schedule as well as websites that are operated in conjunction with print or broadcast media. Entries may consist of paper printouts or, at your option, 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.

Social Media

…any journalism produced via social media for a journalistic outlet.

Photography & Design

…photography and design produced by or for residents of the DC metro area.

Washington Correspondence

…for reporting by Washington-based reporters for media outside the Washington area.

Non-Breaking News

Best coverage of federal, state, local government; health care; medicine/science; education; minority issues; politics; religion; environment; criminal justice; and social justice issues (poverty, homelessness, public housing).

Breaking News

Single report or series of reports that best exemplify breaking coverage on a major news event on deadline.

Features

Single report or series of reports demonstrating creativity in a human interest, non-breaking news event.

Sports

A single report that profiles an individual in sports at any level (high school, college, pro); or a pattern of outstanding coverage of sports, demonstrated by a selection of at least six reports by a writer or team. The entry may include random reports from the beat or a combination of reports from a series.

Editorial

The most persuasive single editorial or series of editorials addressing an inadequacy or taking a position on a state or local issue that leads to change. Entry can be unsigned editorials, signed columns, and if applicable, editorial cartoons and reader/viewer/listener responses.

Business

A single report that profiles an individual in business or development at the state or local level; or a pattern of outstanding coverage of business/development with a selection of at least six reports by a writer or team. The entry may include random reports from the beat or a combination of reports from a series.

Arts Criticism

A single report that profiles an individual in the arts at the state or local level; or a pattern of outstanding coverage of the arts or entertainment by a single reporter. The entry may include random reports from the beat or a combination of reports from a series.

Photojournalism

For best black-and-white and color photography. Judges will look at technical composition, creativity an overall visual impact.

Investigative Journalism

Reporting that demonstrates in-depth, analytical skills, with information gathered over time. Judges will consider originality, use of public records if they apply. And outcomes of the investigation.

Newsletter

A business-to-business publication produced by an independent publisher for profit will be honored for enterprise reporting, from Washington for a national audience, that contributes to a better understanding of the federal government.

Robert Lewis Watchdog Journalism Award

The Robert D.G. Lewis Watchdog Award will be presented to an applicant in any award classification whose entry best exemplifies journalism aimed at protecting the public from abuses by those who would betray the public trust.

Correspondent Award

The award shall be for distinguished coverage of the Washington area published or broadcast outside the Washington, D.C., area.

Distinguished Service in Local Journalism

This award is for distinction in any medium of local journalism not involving a particular story or series. Nominees should be cited for their contribution to the development of local journalism or to the development of other journalists. They should also be recognized for their contributions to the metropolitan Washington community or to a specific community within the metropolitan area.

Feature Photography*

A single published photo, either stand-alone or part of a story

Photography Story*

A collection of photos printed together that tell a story—either news or feature in nature. Not for continuing coverage of a subject.

Art/Photo Illustration*

Specially designed art and/or photos to illustrate a story. Submit three tear sheets by a single artist of team.

Infographic*

Standalone infographic or part of a story. Submit up to three samples.

Front page design*

Submit three samples by one artist or team. Can represent the newspaper’s front page or section front.

Column

Submit up to three columns of any subject

Blog

Submit up to three posts

Series

Submit up to six samples of a news or feature series on one topic.

Commentary & Criticism – General

Analysis or interpretation of news events. Submit up to three samples.

Commentary & Criticism – Arts

Analysis or interpretation of arts/cultural events, including arts reviews. Submit up to three samples.

Editorial Writing

Submit three samples; can be on one topic or multiple topics.

Editorial Cartoon

Submit three samples on any topic.

Tweet**

Journalism in 140 characters—does not include linked content.

Facebook Post**

Journalism in one Facebook post—does not include linked content, but does include photo and headline/content in post itself

Instagram**

Journalism in one Instagram and its caption.

Youtube**

Journalism in one Youtube video and its caption.

Beat**

Submit a portfolio of work (no more than six stories) that shows sustained excellence in covering a beat. Judges will consider variety of stories, source development, story generation and beat familiarization. A 250-word supporting statement per category is optional. Awards will be given in each of the following areas of coverage.