2023 DIAMOND JOURNALISM AWARDS
CONTEST CATEGORIES
A NOTE ON CONTEST DIVISIONS: Please pay attention to entry requirements. For most categories, entries can be submitted in two divisions — print/online and audio/video (includes podcasts, radio and TV). However, some categories allow entries to be submitted in the following subdivisions: newspapers, magazines, online publications, TV/video, and audio/radio.
DIAMOND HONORS – ALL MEDIA
GARRICK FELDMAN COMMUNITY JOURNALISM AWARD — For focused coverage of a community or neighborhood, awarded in honor of the late Garrick Feldman, publisher of The Leader newspapers, Jacksonville, Ark., and proponent of strong local journalism. COVER LETTER REQUIRED. Submit no more than six stories and related multimedia content. Audio and video entries should not be longer than 60 minutes total.
01. ALL MEDIA
CHARLOTTE TILLAR SCHEXNAYDER PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD — For journalism that seeks to benefit society through extensive coverage of an issue facing a community, state or region. Named in honor of the late Charlotte Schexnayder, journalist, small-town newspaper publisher and Arkansas legislator. Entry MUST INCLUDE A NOMINATING LETTER providing background and context and results, if any. Judges will consider significance of the issue, journalistic initiative, presentation, and results. Submit no more than 10 items – stories and opinion pieces. Audio and video entries should not be longer than 60 minutes total.
02. ALL MEDIA
THE ROBERT S. MCCORD FOI AWARD — For coverage that focuses on the public’s right to know and that carries on the legacy of the late Robert McCord, a former national SPJ president who is considered the father of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. COVER LETTER REQUIRED in support of the nomination. Submit stories, opinion pieces, letters or other material (including audio or video) that demonstrate how the nominee contributed to the protection or enhancement of the public’s right to know.
03. ALL MEDIA
OUTSTANDING NEW JOURNALIST AWARD — For journalistic excellence demonstrated by an individual who has worked five years or fewer in their market. The winner will be chosen based on a NOMINATING LETTER and supporting documents. Submit a portfolio by the nominee of five pieces representative of their work over the year.
04. ALL MEDIA
OUTSTANDING STUDENT JOURNALIST AWARD — For journalistic excellence demonstrated by an individual student journalist. The winner will be chosen based on a NOMINATING LETTER and supporting documents. Submit a portfolio by the nominee of five pieces representative of their work over the year.
05. ALL MEDIA
DIAMOND JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR — For journalistic excellence by a journalist in any medium over the preceding 12 months. Submit a portfolio by the nominee of five to seven pieces and a NOMINATING LETTER from a ranking editor or producer.
06. ALL MEDIA
PROFESSIONAL MEDIA
BREAKING NEWS — For clear, accurate and engaging coverage of a single, unexpected news event by individuals, teams or news. Judges will consider deadline pressure and complexity of the subject.
07. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit up to three articles, any sidebars and related multimedia content.
08. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit audio or video from up to three stories not longer than 30 minutes total and any related multimedia content.
GENERAL NEWS — For coverage of a news-related topic. May include planned coverage of a single event or in-depth or enterprise reporting.
09. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit up to three articles and any related multimedia content.
10. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit audio or video from up to three stories not longer than 30 minutes total and any related multimedia content.
ONGOING COVERAGE — For continuing coverage over time of a topic or major event demonstrating solid reporting and presentation with complexity and perspective.
11. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit up to five stories along with any related multimedia content. Entries may include a mix of story types, e.g. breaking news, features and explanatory.
12. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit audio or video from up to five stories not longer than 60 minutes total along with any related multimedia content. Entries may include a mix of story types, e.g. breaking news, features and explanatory.
ENTERPRISE/IN-DEPTH REPORTING — For coverage that reflects a reporter’s or team’s initiative, ingenuity, use of sources and/or special research to dig deeper or capture more complexity than a typical news story.
13. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit a single story or a series of up to three stories and any related multimedia content.
14. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit audio or video from a single report or a series of reports not longer than 30 minutes total and any related multimedia content.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING — For reporting that demonstrates initiative, persistence and resourcefulness in pursuing information that is restricted or not easily available and is of public interest and significance. COVER LETTER REQUIRED, explaining reporting process and impact or results.
15. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit one story or a series of no more than six stories and any related multimedia content.
16. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit a single piece or a series on the same topic with a maximum combined run time of 60 minutes and any related multimedia content.
EXPLANATORY REPORTING — For reporting and writing that elucidate significant stories and complex situations, that deepen understanding of a subject or that focus on subjects covered minimally or not at all by most media.
17. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit one story or a series and any related multimedia content. If entering a series, please submit no more than six stories.
18. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit one audio clip of up to 30 minutes.
EDITORIALS — For opinion writing that represents a news organization’s position on a topic or issue. Judges will consider importance to the community, writing style, reasoning, originality and reader interest.
19. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit three editorials as one entry.
20. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit three editorials as one entry.
COMMENTARY — For commentary or analysis by an individual. News-related blogs also are eligible. Judges will consider quality of expression, clarity and originality.
21. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit three samples as one entry.
22. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit three samples as one entry.
FEATURES — For individual storytelling excellence. Judges will consider the use of narrative, use of humor or drama, style, creativity, clarity and suitability of the writing to the subject.
23. NEWSPAPERS – Submit one story.
24. MAGAZINES – Submit one story.
25. ONLINE ONLY (For stories, audio or video published or broadcast online only.) – Submit one story or audio/video of not more than 15 minutes.
26. TV/VIDEO – Submit one story of not more than 15 minutes.
27. RADIO/AUDIO – Submit one story of not more than 15 minutes.
PROFILES — For reporting that depicts the character and personality of a story subject.
28. NEWSPAPERS – Submit one story.
29. MAGAZINES – Submit one story.
30. ONLINE ONLY (For written, audio or video stories published or broadcast online only.) – Submit one written story or audio/video story of not more than 15 minutes.
31. TV/VIDEO – Submit one story of no more than 15 minutes.
32. RADIO/AUDIO – Submit one story of no more than 15 minutes.
SPORTS — For coverage of any sport or athletic endeavor. Judges will consider clarity and style.
33. NEWSPAPERS – Submit a single story or no more than three stories representing continuing coverage of a single topic.
34. MAGAZINES – Submit a single story or no more than three stories representing continuing coverage of a single topic.
35. ONLINE ONLY (For written, audio or video stories published or broadcast online only.) – Submit a single story or no more than three stories covering a single topic. Audio/video entries should not be longer than 15 minutes total.
36. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit audio or video of no more than three reports covering a single topic with a run time not longer than 15 minutes.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT COVERAGE — For reporting on the arts, entertainment, restaurant and other cultural news. Entry may include columns, profiles and features. Judges will consider the quality of the writing and presentation and, where appropriate, analysis.
37. NEWSPAPERS – Submit up to three stories or a series of up to three stories.
38. MAGAZINES – Submit up to three stories or a series of up to three stories.
39. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit audio or video of no longer than 15 minutes.
40. ONLINE ONLY (For written stories, audio or video stories published or broadcast online only.) – Submit one written story or audio/video story of not more than 15 minutes.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CRITICISM/REVIEWS — For writing that demonstrates a journalist’s competence in evaluating performance, restaurants, books, recorded music or other cultural events or entities.
41. NEWSPAPERS – Submit three samples of the author’s work.
42. MAGAZINES – Submit three samples of the author’s work.
43. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit audio or video of no longer than 5 minutes.
44. ONLINE ONLY (For written stories, audio or video stories published or broadcast online only.) – Submit one written story or audio/video story of not more than 15 minutes.
BUSINESS — For coverage of business or finance by an individual or team. Submit up to five samples and any related multimedia content. Run times for audio and video should not exceed 5 minutes.
45. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to five stories and related multimedia content or audio/video with a run time of not more than 15 minutes.
EDUCATION — For coverage of education (news, features, analysis and investigative).
46. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit up to five samples and any related multimedia content as one entry.
47. AUDIO/VIDEO – Submit audio or video with a run time of not more than 15 minutes.
HEALTH — For reporting clearly on health, including medicine, community health and health policy, and the health effects of COVID-19.
48. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to five stories and related multimedia content or audio/video with a run time of not more than 15 minutes.
SCIENCE — For reporting clearly on science, including technology, and its impact on individuals and society.
49. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to five stories and related multimedia content or audio/video with a run time of not more than 15 minutes.
ENVIRONMENT — For coverage of environmental issues, including climate change.
50. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to five stories and related multimedia content or audio/video with a run time of not more than 15 minutes.
POLITICS — For coverage of public issues, political campaigns, candidates or campaign finance.
51. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit up to five stories and related multimedia content as one entry.
52. AUDIO/VIDEO – Run times for audio or video should not exceed 15 minutes total.
SPECIAL SECTION/NICHE PUBLICATION — For a niche publication or special section devoted to a single topic. Judges will consider depth of coverage, presentation, and quality of writing.
53. PRINT/ONLINE – Submit one section or niche publication.
PODCASTS — For public interest podcasting that stands alone or is part of a series.
54. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three episodes as one entry. Podcast entries may have also aired as radio or TV broadcasts.
VISUAL JOURNALISM & DESIGN
BREAKING NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY — For photojournalism produced on deadline. Judges will consider deadline pressure, complexity of subject and visual presentation.
55. ALL MEDIA – Submit photos with cutlines from up to three stories as one entry, but no more than six images in all. Be sure to include the accompanying story or link to the story.
GENERAL NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY — For photojournalism by an individual for any non-deadline news event.
56. ALL MEDIA – Submit a single photo with cutline/caption. Link to or include accompanying story – if any.
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY — For feature photography by an individual..
57. ALL MEDIA – Submit a single photo with cutline/caption. Link to or include the accompanying story, if any, or contextual information.
PHOTO SPREAD/ESSAY — For a group of photographs on a single theme published as part of a single story or as a stand-alone layout.
58. ALL MEDIA – Submit no more than 10 images with cutlines. Link to or include the accompanying story or contextual information.
PHOTO PORTFOLIO — For photography that shows the work of a single photographer.
59. ALL MEDIA – Submit or link to no more than five photos with cutlines.
DATA VISUALIZATION — For presentation of complex information using graphics, maps and other interactive tools to report on data.
60. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three samples, including the associated stories or links to them online.
GRAPHICS/ILLUSTRATIONS — For infographics or illustrations.
61. ALL MEDIA – Submit three samples as one entry. Include or link to any accompanying story or text.
VIDEOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO — For video journalism by an individual.
62. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three samples with a maximum combined length of 15 minutes.
VIDEO PROGRAM — For regular news-oriented programming over the air or online that focuses on a theme or subject, including but not limited to topics such as crime, politics or health.
63. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three samples with a combined length 15 minutes maximum.
FRONT PAGE/COVER DESIGN — For presentation that significantly enhances access to journalistic work and improves audience experience and engagement. Submit up to three samples as one entry.
64. NEWSPAPERS – Submit up to three samples as one entry.
65. MAGAZINES – Submit up to three samples as one entry.
PAGE DESIGN — For presentation on a page or pages other than a magazine cover or front page that significantly enhances access to journalistic work and improves audience experience and engagement.
66. NEWSPAPERS – Submit up to three samples as one entry.
67. MAGAZINES – Submit up to three samples as one entry.
ONLINE DESIGN — For presentation that significantly enhances access to journalistic work and improves audience experience and engagement.
68. WEB/MOBILE – Submit up to three samples as one entry.
STUDENT MEDIA
STUDENT – SPECIAL PROJECTS — For special projects that show exemplary reporting, writing, photography or videography. These should be student-generated and not part of an ongoing university-sponsored project. COVER LETTER REQUIRED.
69. ALL MEDIA –Submit an entire issue of a publication, series of stories or single piece, or a broadcast of up to 60 minutes in length.
STUDENT – BREAKING NEWS — For clear and accurate reporting and engaging writing on deadline by individuals or teams regardless of platform. Judges will consider deadline pressure, style and complexity of the subject.
70. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three articles and any related multimedia content. Audio and video clips should not exceed 15 minutes.
STUDENT – GENERAL NEWS — For clear and accurate reporting and engaging writing by individuals or teams regardless of platform. Judges will consider style and complexity of the subject.
71. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three articles and any related multimedia content. Audio and video clips should not exceed 15 minutes.
STUDENT – FEATURES — For individual storytelling excellence regardless of platform. Judges will consider use of narrative, humor or drama, style, creativity, clarity and suitability of the writing or video/audio presentation to the subject.
72. ALL MEDIA – Submit one story and any related multimedia content. Audio and video clips should not exceed 15 minutes.
STUDENT – SPORTS — For coverage of any sport or athletic endeavor regardless of platform. Judges will consider clarity and style.
73. ALL MEDIA – Submit a single story or no more than three stories representing continuing coverage of a single topic. Audio and video clips should not exceed 15 minutes.
STUDENT – EDITORIALS — For opinion writing that represents a student news outlet’s position on a topic or issue. Judges will consider importance to the community, writing style, reasoning, originality, and reader interest.
74. ALL MEDIA – Submit three editorials as one entry.
STUDENT – COMMENTARY — For commentary, reviews or analysis by an individual on any platform. Blogs also are eligible. Judges will consider quality of expression, clarity, and originality.
75. ALL MEDIA – Submit three samples as one entry. Maximum run time for video or audio: 15 minutes.
STUDENT – ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT REPORTING — For coverage of arts, entertainment, restaurant and other cultural news. Entry may include columns, profiles and features. Judges will consider the quality of the writing and presentation and, where appropriate, analysis.
76. ALL MEDIA – Submit three samples as one entry. Maximum run time for video or audio: 15 minutes.
STUDENT – ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CRITICISM/REVIEWS — For writing that demonstrates a journalist’s competence in evaluating performance, restaurants, books, recorded music or other cultural events or entities.
77. ALL MEDIA – Submit three samples as one entry. Maximum run time for video or audio: 15 minutes.
STUDENT – BUSINESS — For coverage of business or finance, including the business of college athletics and of institutions of higher learning. Judges will consider clarity.
78. ALL MEDIA – Submit a single story or no more than three stories representing continuing coverage of a single topic. Maximum run time for video or audio: 15 minutes.
STUDENT – EDUCATION — For coverage on any platform of education, including institutions of higher education, teacher training and educational research. Judges will consider clarity and thoroughness.
- ALL MEDIA – Submit three samples as one entry. Maximum run time for video or audio: 15 minutes.
STUDENT – NEWS PHOTO — For photojournalism by an individual for breaking or general news. Judges will consider deadline pressure, complexity of subject and visual presentation.
80. ALL MEDIA – Submit one photo with cutline. Please include the accompanying story or link the story.
STUDENT – FEATURE PHOTO — For feature photography by an individual. Judges will consider the complexity of the subject and visual presentation.
81. ALL MEDIA – Submit one photo with cutline. Please include the accompanying story or link the story, if any.
STUDENT – PHOTO SPREAD/ESSAY — For a group of photographs on a single theme published as part of a single story or as a stand-alone layout.
82. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to 10 images with cutlines and an explanation of the context or the accompanying story or text. Links are acceptable.
STUDENT – PHOTO PORTFOLIO — For photography that shows the work of a single photographer.
83. ALL MEDIA – Submit no more than five photos with cutlines.
STUDENT – DATA VISUALIZATION — For presenting complex information using graphics, maps or other interactive tools to report on data..
84. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three samples, including the associated stories or links to them online.
STUDENT – GRAPHICS/ILLUSTRATIONS — For infographics or illustrations on any platform.
85. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three samples. Include any accompanying story or text.
STUDENT – DESIGN — For presentation that significantly enhances access to journalistic work and improves audience experience and engagement. Design encompasses visual and sound elements as well as print and online display.
86. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three samples as one entry.
STUDENT – PODCASTS — For reporting and journalistic storytelling that stands alone or is part of a series.
87. ALL MEDIA – Submit up to three episodes as one entry with maximum run time of 60 minutes. Podcast entries may have also aired as radio or TV broadcasts.
Society of Professional Journalists | Arkansas Pro Chapter 
