Dateline Awards: Submissions Due March 10

Work published, posted or broadcast between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2016, is eligible. For a series, the majority of the work must have appeared in 2016.

All entries shall be in their original form as published or broadcast. Subsequent corrections or clarifications to the work must be included in the entry or it will be disqualified.

Only work by journalists working in the Washington metropolitan area qualifies. News must be of local interest, except for reporting meant for a wider audience.

For all categories, the Washington metropolitan area is defined as the District of Columbia; Alexandria and Fredericksburg cities; and Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Stafford and Prince William counties in Virginia; and Montgomery, Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties in Maryland.

More than one entry may be submitted in each category, but each separate entry must be accompanied by its own entry fee. Please do not submit the same entry in more than one category.

The fee is $30 per entry. (Note: A fee of $2 per entry is added to online payments.)

All submissions must be completed y 11:59 p.m. EST in order to be considered.

Judges’ decisions are final.

Entries will be judged by journalists and related professionals whose primary assignments do not include local news. An award in any category may be withheld if the judges so decide.

These judges will also nominate entries worthy of the Robert D.G. Lewis Watchdog Award, which is 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.

Entries become the property of the Washington, D.C., Pro chapter of SPJ.

Awards will be announced at the annual Dateline Awards dinner on June 13, 2017. The chapter will provide a press statement following the awards presentation listing all winners.

No advance notice of winners will be given.

Daily newspaper published five or more days a week, wire services and web-only publications.

Weekly newspaper published less than five days a week.

Magazine covering local issues, published in the Washington, D.C., area.

Television channels — on-air and cable — appealing solely to local audiences. Each entry should be clearly labeled.

Radio stations, including city and suburban. Each entry should be clearly labeled.

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

Online publications that appear exclusively in electronic form on the Internet, on a regular schedule — as well as websites operated in conjunction with print or broadcast media. One main URL and up to five supporting URLs to highlight specific features of the article or package. Entries that do not provide complete and accurate URLs will be disqualified.

Non-Breaking News: Could include 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.

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 up to five reports by a writer or team. The entry may include reports from the beat or a series.

Editorial/Opinion Writing: The most persuasive single editorial or series of editorials (up to three) addressing an inadequacy or taking a position on a state or local issue that leads to change. Entry can be unsigned editorials or signed columns.

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 up to five reports by a writer or team. The entry may include reports from the beat or a series.

Photojournalism: For best black-and-white and color photography. Judges will look at technical composition, creativity and 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.

Commentary & Criticism: Analysis or interpretation of news events or arts/culture. Submit up to three samples.

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 tearsheets by a single artist or 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 front page or section front.

Column: Submit up to three columns of any subject

Series: Submit up to five samples of a news or feature series on one topic.

Editorial Cartoon: Submit three samples on any topic.

Beat Reporting: Submit a portfolio of work (no more than five stories) showing sustained excellence in covering a beat. Judges will consider a variety of stories, source development, story generation and beat familiarization. A 250-word supporting statement explaining the entry is optional.

Tweet: Journalism in 140 characters — does not include linked content. Up to three examples.

Facebook: Journalism in one Facebook post — does not include linked content, but does include photo and headline/content in post itself. Up to three examples.

Instagram: Journalism in one Instagram and its caption. Up to three examples.

YouTube: Journalism in one Youtube video and its caption. Up to three examples.

Blog: Indicate whether it is a blog supported by a journalistic/media company or if it is a personal blog by a journalist who also publishes in legacy media or online versions of legacy media or new media. Submit up to three posts.

Correspondent Award: For distinguished coverage of the Washington area published or broadcast outside the Washington, D.C., area.

Robert D.G. Lewis Watchdog Journalism Award: To be presented to a finalist in any award classification whose entry best exemplifies journalism aimed at protecting the public from abuses by those who would betray the public trust. No direct entries are accepted for this category. There is a cash prize of up to $1,000 for the winner.