Finalists named for 2023 Diamond Journalism Awards

Finalists named for 2023 Diamond Journalism Awards

The Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce the finalists for its 2023 Diamond Journalism Awards, a regional competition that recognizes journalism excellence among professionals and students from Arkansas and six bordering states.

Arkansas SPJ will present the winners at an awards ceremony on June 27 at Brewski’s Pub & Grub, 315 Main St., Little Rock. A reception starts at 5:30 p.m.. with the awards presentations starting at 6 p.m.

This year’s competition for work published or broadcast in 2022 drew 363 entries in more than 80 categories, including Diamond Journalist of the Year and Outstanding New Journalist, the Robert S. McCord FOI Award, the Charlotte Tillar Schexnayder Public Service Award, and the Garrick Feldman Community Journalism Award.

Judges were members of the Washington D.C. SPJ chapter.

Finalists for the 2023 Diamond Journalism Awards listed by the outlet in which their work appeared:

225 Magazine
Maggie Heyn Richardson, Olivia Deffes, Zane Piontek, Mark Clements

501 Life Magazine
Tammy Keith

Arkadelphian.com
Joel Phelps

Arkansas Catholic
Dwain Hebda

Arkansas Now News
Hannah Campbell

AY Magazine
Austin Castrellon, Mike Bedgood, Dwain Hebda

Arkansas Advocate
Sonny Albarado, Tess Vrbin, Hunter Field,

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Michael R. Wickline, Teresa Moss, Joseph Flaherty, Sean Clancy, Rex Nelson, Nick Popowitch, Staci Vandagriff, Thomas Metthe, David Barham, Alexandria Brown, Remington Miller, Lisa Hammersly, Jenn Terrell, Will Langhorne, Frank Lockwood, Bill Bowden, Dwain Hebda, Democrat-Gazette Staff, Colin Murphey

Arkansas Money & Politics (AMP) Magazine
Lora Puls, Dwain Hebda

Arkansas Times
Dwain Hebda, Mandy Keener

The Arkansas Traveler (University of Arkansas)
Sarah Komar,

The Associated Press
Andrew DeMillo

Black Vitality
Dwain Hebda

The Commercial Appeal/The Tennessean
Daniel Connolly, Duane Gang, Arriel Cobert, Joe Rondone, Mel Fronczek, Ana Hurler

The Daily Citizen
Greg Geary

Do South Magazine
Dwain Hebda

The Echo (University of Central Arkansas)
Sarah Smythe, Madison Ogle, Courtney Shepherd, Delaney Van Wilpe, Anna Yanosick, Bennett Tinnermon, Emilee Hagewood, Mia Waddell, Maci England, Emily Kennard

Fort Worth Weekly
Edward Brown, Anthony Mariani

InRegister Magazine
Kelli Bozeman, Hoa Vu, Jordan Hefler, Collin Richie, Sean Gasser

KARK 4 News
Caitrin Assaf, Lauren Swaim

KHBS/KHOG (40/29)
Brett Rains, Katie Hamner, Colleen Clement, 40/29 TV Staff

KLRT-FOX 16
Kevin Kelly, Stephen Goodale, Lauren Swaim, Ashlei King, Julian Jones

KLSU-FM
Patricia Caputo, Liam Haley

KNWA-TV
Chelsea Helms

KTHV (THV11)
Skot Covert, Kelly Tibbit, Zach Keast

KUAR Public Radio
Daniel Breen, Josie Lenora, J. Bradley Minnick, Mary Ellen Kubit, Joseph Fuller

Leader Newspapers
Rick Kron

Mississippi Free Press
Nick Judin, Donna Ladd, Grace Marion, Torsheta Jackson, Aliyah Veal, Ashton Pittman, DeAnna Tisdale Johnson, Acacia Clark, Kristin Brenemen, Kayode Crown, William Pittman, Lukas Flippo

Missouri-Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine
Nancy Henderson

MLK50: Justice Through Journalism
Jacob Steimer, Mikhaila Markham, Andrea Morales, Brittany Brown, Wendi C. Thomas, Carrington Tatum, Andrea Morales, Ashli Blow

New Lines Magazine
Sarah Komar

Reveille (Louisiana State University)
Josh Archote, Reveille Editorial Board, Claire Sullivan, Katy-Ann McDonald, Will Nickel, Patricia Caputo, Brandon Poulter, Ally Kadlubar, Piper Hutchinson, Connor Barney, Henry Huber

St. Louis Public Radio
Avery Lea Rogers, Danny Wicentowski

Stuttgart Daily Leader
Kelly Connelly, Kristen Siler

Tiger TV (Louisiana State University)
Ava Borskey, Aria Pons

The Trucker
Dwain Hebda

World Christian Broadcasting
Paul Ladd

2023 Diamond Awards Categories

2023 DIAMOND JOURNALISM AWARDS

CONTEST CATEGORIES

Diamond graphic

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. 

  1. 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.

2023 Diamond Journalism Awards Rules

2023 DIAMOND JOURNALISM AWARDS

ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY RULES

ENTRY DEADLINE EXTENDED!

APRIL 5, 2023

All professional and student journalists, and freelancers, residing in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas can submit entries or have entries submitted on their behalf by news organizations that published or broadcast their work. Authors who reside in the contest states may submit work published or broadcast outside those states.

ALL ENTRIES MUST HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED OR BROADCAST IN CALENDAR YEAR 2022.

You DON’T have to be a member of the Society of Professional Journalists to enter, but members get a discount on entry fees. SPJ members must provide their membership number in order to qualify for the discount. You can join SPJ by submitting an application here. We suggest submitting entries after your SPJ membership has been confirmed.

Entries may be submitted in more than one category, but a separate entry fee is required for each category.

Any significant challenges or corrections to an entry must be noted with the entry. Failure to do so will result in disqualification of the entry.

Non-English entries should also provide an English translation if possible.

Cover letters and supporting material are required only in conjunction with nominations for the following awards: Student Special Project, Student Journalist of the Year, Public Service, Community Journalism, FOI, Outstanding New Journalist and Diamond Journalist of the Year. Entrants in other categories may submit cover letters or supporting material at their discretion but should keep them brief.

Please ensure entry URLs remain valid through June 30, 2023, to accommodate judging and awards presentation.

Contest administrators reserve the right to combine entries in the same category from different platforms or circulation groups if an insufficient number of entries make the category non-competitive.

ENTRY FEES

SPJ members: $10 per entry.

To claim the member fee, you must supply your SPJ member number (in the entry platform’s comments box). A team entry may claim the fee if at least one team member is an SPJ member. That person’s name and SPJ member number must be listed in the comments box.

Nonmembers: $20 per entry.

Student SPJ members: $5 per entry. Provide your member number.

Student nonmembers: $10 per entry.

No fees will be refunded.

HOW TO ENTER

The Diamond Journalism Awards uses the Better BNC contest management platform for entries and judging.

If you’re new to using the Better BNC entry platform, go here for instructions .

You can find all the categories here.

Go here to submit payment for entries.

Arkansas SPJ to advance free flow of information with PIO event

 

The Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists will present Public information officers and the press: Advancing the free flow of information, a discussion about the relationships between public information officers and the media at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30. 

The event moderated by KATV reporter Brenda Lepenski will take place at the Arkansas Press Association, 411 S. Victory Street in Little Rock, for those who would like to attend in person or online at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89982273967.

Featured speakers include Bill Sadler, PIO for the Arkansas State Police, and communication directors Cindy Murphy of the Arkansas Department of Corrections, Aaron Sadler of the office of Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. and Pamela Smith of the Little Rock School District.

The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are welcome to bring their lunch. Submit questions and comments for discussion to arkansasSPJ@gmail.com or tweet @ArkansasSPJ.

About the moderator:

Arkansas SPJ board member Brenda Lepenski joined the Channel 7 News team in March of 2022 as a general assignment reporter. Prior to working at KATV, Lepenski worked as a multimedia journalist in Lubbock, Texas. She also worked for a Spanish TV station in Irving, Texas where she helped produce newscasts for Dallas, Houston, and Miami.

Lepenski is fluent in Spanish. She grew up in Bossier City, La. and is originally from Juarez, Mexico. Her name is Polish, given to her by her adopted family.

She’s a proud member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and has served as vice president of the Dallas chapter where she’s helped in the effort to raise scholarship funds for aspiring journalism and communication students.

She’s a former student at Louisiana Tech University and a graduate of University of Texas at El Paso.

Lepenski is looking to explore more of the Natural State and to serve the community by telling stories that matter.

About the panelists:

Bill Sadler grew up in a newspaper family in Rison, where his grandfather bought the Cleveland County Herald in 1923. Bill started working at the paper in the backshop, learned to write, photograph, “and all the other demons that come with a weekly newspaper,” he said. His family sold the paper in 2002.

He attended Arkansas State University and worked as a reporter and photographer at the Jonesboro Sun, Malvern Daily Record and Pine Bluff News.

In 1976, Bill Sadler joined the staff of KARK as a reporter/photographer assigned to Pine Bluff; then, in 1996, he went to work as a field producer for NBC News affiliates division. His first assignment covered TWA Flight 800, which exploded and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean after takeoff killing all 230 people on board.

He became a PIO in May 1997.

“Ten months into the job I was thrown to the wolves as lead spokesman for the Arkansas State Police, Craighead County Sheriff’s Department, Prosecuting Attorney and Juvenile Judge in the aftermath of the Westside School shooting,” Bill Sadler said. 

He is still at the job 25 years later.

Aaron Sadler (no relation to Bill) is a veteran communicator with experience in both public relations and newspaper reporting. He is currently Communications Director for Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr., and before that he led communications for five attorneys general in five states.

He is a staunch advocate for the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, having been a correspondent for Stephens Media in both Little Rock and Washington. He has also worked for the Arkansas Press Association and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.

A Trumann native, Sadler is a graduate of Arkansas State University.

Cindy Murphy spent more than 11 years at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, where she covered city hall for four years and wrote for the family section in the popular “Forces of Nurture” column about the challenges, joys and misadventures of parenting; she was a website editor, then a special projects reporter for more than seven years, during which time she was responsible for writing award-winning, in-depth articles on a number of topics, including the Arkansas Crime Lab, cold cases, various city and state agencies and related legislative initiatives.

She conducted exhaustive investigations into fraud, corruption and public spending. In addition, Murphy specialized in human interest stories that required the ability to relate to victims, their families, and the agencies involved. 

After leaving the paper, Murphy served as communications director for Arkansas Attorney General’s Office under Dustin McDaniel, then as public affairs director and community engagement director under Leslie Rutledge. She worked briefly as public outreach division manager for Arkansas Energy and Environment before joining the Arkansas Department of Corrections in May 2020. 

Pamela Smith has been the Communications Director for the Little Rock School District, Arkansas’ second-largest district, since April 2012, where she is responsible for guiding internal and external communications, marketing, and public relations efforts.  Smith is a 30-year communications veteran who has enjoyed a career that spans public relations, radio/television broadcast, and print.  

Smith previously served as co-host of Good Morning Arkansas and Weekend Anchor for KATV.  Smith joined KATV’s staff in 1990 as a General Assignment Reporter and was soon promoted to Weekend Anchor, assuming the role of co-host of the station’s popular GMA program in August 2011.  Because she has a keen insight into media relations and is passionate about issues that impact the state’s youth and elderly populations, she is equally excited to now work on behalf of the 22,000 plus students in LRSD and brings a breadth of experience to her role as lead communicator.   In addition to her lengthy television career, Smith also served as on-air talent and news director for the top-rated Broadway Joe Radio Show in Little Rock for more than a decade and was a monthly contributor to AETN and AY Magazine.

2022 Diamond Journalism Awards finalists named

The Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce the finalists for its 2022 Diamond Journalism Awards, a regional competition that recognizes journalism excellence among professionals and students from Arkansas and six bordering states.

Arkansas SPJ will present the winners at an awards ceremony on June 30 at Diamond Bear Brewing, 600 N Broadway, North Little Rock. A reception starts at 5:30 p.m. with the awards presentations starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 for professionals and $10 for students, including heavy hors d’oeuvres and libations. Purchase tickets by PayPal or cash/check at the door.

This year’s competition for work published or broadcast in 2021 drew 379 entries in more than 80 categories, including Diamond Journalist of the Year and Outstanding New Journalist, the Robert S. McCord FOI Award, the Charlotte Tillar Schexnayder Public Service Award, and the Garrick Feldman Community Journalism Award.

Judges were members of the SPJ chapters in Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming.

The list of finalists follows, along with the publications or broadcast outlets where their work appeared:

The Arkadelphian, Arkadelphia, Ark.

Joel Phelps

Arkansas Catholic, Little Rock

Dwain Hebda

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock

Lara Farrar, Stephen Simpson, Joseph Flaherty, Thomas Metthe, Stephen Swofford, Maggie McNeary, Carrie Hill, Ginny Monk, Philip Martin, Karen Martin, Byron Tate, Tess Vrbin, Staci Vandagriff, Teresa Moss, Ashton Eley, Celia Storey, Tom Murphy, Nathan Owen, John Magsam, Noel Oman, Jaime Adame, Frank Lockwood, Nick Popovich. Jen Para

Arkansas Money & Politics, Little Rock

Mark Carter, Kelley Bass, Katie Zakrzewski

Arkansas Nonprofit News Network, Little Rock

Rebekah Scott, Benjamin Hardy, Debra Hale-Shelton

The Associated Press, Little Rock

Andrew DeMillo, Adrian Sainz, Jill Bleed

AY Magazine, Little Rock

Dustin Jayroe, Jamison Mosley, Lora Puls, Ian Lyle, Dwain Hebda, Heather Baker, Mike Bedgood, Emily Beirne

Baxter Regional Pulse, Mountain Home, Ark.

Sarah Knight, Jason Masters, Ashlee Nobel, Dwain Hebda

The Daily Citizen, Searcy, Ark.

Greg Geary

Fort Worth Weekly, Texas

Edward Brown

FOX16 News, KLRT-TV, Little Rock

Kevin Kelly, Stephen Goodale, Jessica Guy

KOLR-TV, Springfield, Mo.

Brian Calfano, Sarah Scarlett

KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, Ark.

Chad Mira, Chelsea Helms, Brad Horn, Jacob Cotner

KPEJ-TV, Midland-Odessa, Texas

Monica Quintero

KTHV-11, Little Rock

Amanda Jaeger, Skot Covert, Kelly Tibbit, Zach Keast

KUAR-FM, Little Rock

Michael Hibblen, Daniel Breen, Sarah Kellogg, Alexandria Brown

The Leader Newspaper, Jacksonville, Ark.

Rick Kron

Mississippi Free Press, Jackson

Ashton Pittman, Christian Middleton, Donna Ladd, Aliyah Veal, Torsheta Jackson, Nick Judin, Kayode Crown, Grace Marion, Stacey Cato, Leo Carney, Roger Amos, DeAnna Tisdale Johnson, Azia Wiggins, Kimberly Griffin

MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, Memphis, Tenn.

Jacob Steimer

Richmond News, Missouri

Jack “Miles” Ventimiglia

Riverfront Times, St. Louis

Danny Wicentowski

St. Louis Public Radio

Jason Rosenbaum, Shahla Farzan, Chad Davis, Marissanne Lewis-Thompson, Andrea Henterson, Jonathan Ahl, Brian Munoz, Jeremy Goodwin, Sarah Fentem

World Christian Broadcasting, Franklin, Tenn.

Paul Ladd

WVLT-TV, Knoxville, Tenn.

Ashley Bohle, Casey Wheeless, Harry Sullivan

STUDENT MEDIA

Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge

Reveille/LSUReveille.com

Nick Ombrellaro, Gabby Jimenez, Piper Hutchinson, Maddie Scott, Domenic Purdy, Peter Rauterkus, Claire Sullivan, Charlie Stephens

Tiger TV

Ally Kadlubar, Aria Pons, Erin Rogers, Maria Pham, Kendall Duncan, Haylee Kennedy, Brooke Smith

Manship News Service

Rachel Mipro, Liz Ryan, Lara Nicholson, Kathleen Peppo, Brittney Forbes, Margaret Delaney, Olivia Varden, Chris Langley, Masie O’Toole, Kirby Koch, Donald Fountain

Arkansas State University, Jonesboro

Delta Digital News Service

Christine Miyawa, Tristan Bennett, Krishnan Collins, Chase Gage, Rangsiya Faihin

University of Central Arkansas, Conway

The Echo

Addison Freeman, Ian Lyle, Madison Ogle, Sarah Smythe, Olyvia Gonzalez, Mia Waddell

Louisiana Christian University, Pineville

Wildcat Media

Alena Noakes, Sam Miller

2022 Diamond Journalism Awards

2022 DIAMOND JOURNALISM AWARDS

ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY RULES

ENTRY DEADLINE: MARCH 4, 2022

All professional journalists, including freelancers, and student journalists who reside in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas can submit entries or have entries submitted on their behalf by news organizations that published or broadcast their work. Authors who live in the contest region may also submit work published or broadcast outside those states.

You DON’T have to be a member of the Society of Professional Journalists to enter, but members get a discount on entry fees. SPJ members must provide their membership number to qualify for the discount. You can join SPJ here.

ELIGIBLE WORK MUST HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED OR BROADCAST BETWEEN JAN. 1 AND DEC. 31, 2021.

Entries may be submitted in more than one category, but a separate entry fee is required for each category.

Non-English entries should also provide an English translation if possible.

Any significant challenges or corrections to an entry must be provided with the entry. If not noted, an entry will be disqualified.

Cover letters and supporting material are required only with nominations for the Student Special Project Award, Charlotte Tillar Schexnayder Public Service Award, Garrick Feldman Community Journalism Award, Robert S. McCord FOI Award, Outstanding New Journalist Award and Diamond Journalist of the Year Award. Entrants in other categories may submit cover letters or supporting material at their discretion but should keep them brief.

Please ensure entry URLs remain valid through June 30, 2022, to accommodate judging and awards presentation.

Contest administrators reserve the right to combine entries in the same category from different platforms or circulation groups to make a category more competitive.

ENTRY FEES

SPJ members: $10 per entry.

To claim the member fee, you must supply your SPJ member number (in the entry platform’s comments box). A team entry may claim the fee if at least one team member is an SPJ member. That person’s name and SPJ member number must be listed in the comments box.

Nonmembers: $20 per entry.

Student SPJ members: $5 per entry. Provide your member number.

Student nonmembers: $10 per entry.

No fees will be refunded.

HOW TO ENTER

The Diamond Journalism Awards uses the Better BNC contest management platform for entries and judging.

If you are new to the BNC platform, you can find instructions on how to enter on this page.

You can find all the categories here.

Go here (https://arkansasspj.org/diamond-awards-payment-page/)to submit payment for entries.

Arkansas SPJ to host Halloween party

Arkansas SPJ to host Halloween party

Join the Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists for a Halloween costume party, even if the scariest thing you can come up with is dressing like a reporter at the end of a long day, at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, on the patio at the reportedly haunted Four Quarter Bar. Share stories covering spooky places or paranormal activities or sit back and enjoy a brew with friends.

https://www.facebook.com/events/627727311922136

ATTENTION! DATE CHANGE: JUNE 18, 2021

2021 Diamond Journalism Awards Ceremony

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is diamond-image.jpg

Winners of the 2021 Diamond Journalism Awards will be announced in an online ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. June 18. Watch this space and social media for more details as the day gets closer.

Sponsored by the Arkansas Pro Chapter, Society of Professional Journalists, the Diamond Journalism Awards is a regional competition that recognizes outstanding journalism by professionals and students from Arkansas and bordering states.

Winners in more than 75 categories as well as the Diamond Journalist of the Year, the Outstanding New Journalist, and the Robert S. McCord FOI Award will be announced at the upcoming a virtual awards ceremony. Winners of the Public Service Award, Journalist of the Year, Outstanding New Journalist, and the Robert S. McCord FOI Award receive an acrylic diamond-shaped paperweight.

This year’s contest honors work published or broadcast in 2020, drew a record 393 entries and was judged by members of the Cincinnati Pro Chapter of SPJ.

Here are the finalists listed by the publication or other outlet where their entries appeared:

ABOUT the River Valley Magazine, Russellville, Ark.

Johnny Carrol Sain, Hannah Butler, Kenzie Sain

Arkansas Catholic, Little Rock

Dwain Hebda

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Little Rock

Stephen Simpson, Williams Sanders, Jeannie Roberts, Joseph Flaherty, Thomas Metthe, Stephen Swofford, Staton Breidenthal, Yutao Chen, Maggie McNeary, Carrie Hill, Justin Cunningham, Stan Denman, Brian Smith, Joe Luciano, Tony Holt, Ginny Monk, Kat Stromquist, Bill Bowden, Terry Austin, David Barham, Walter Hussman, Philip Martin, Morgan Acuff, Sarah DeClerk, Dwain Hebda, Democrat-Gazette staff

ADG River Valley and Ozark Edition, Little Rock

Tammy Keith

Arkansas Money & Politics, Little Rock

Tyler Hale, Mark Carter, Evin Demirel, Rebecca Robertson

Arkansas Nonprofit News Network, Little Rock

Dwain Hebda

The Associated Press, Little Rock

Andrew DeMillo

AY Magazine, Little Rock

Dustin Jayroe, Rebecca Robertson, Jamison Mosley, Lora Puls, Heather Baker, Ebony Blevins, Jamison Mosley, Ian Lyle, Dwain Hebda

The Batesville Guard, Arkansas

Bruce Guthrie

Baxter Regional Pulse, Arkansas

Sarah Knight

Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City

Mollie Bryant, Nathan Poppe, Miguel Rios, George Lang, Nazarene Harris, Jacquelyn Walsh, Sydni Nasada, Ryan Magnani, Joshua Boydston, Jayna Hadwiger, Ben Felder, Kassie McClung, Nate Ward, Katrina Ward

The Daily Citizen, Searcy, AR

Greg Geary

The Daily Record, Little Rock

Dwain Hebda

Do South Magazine

Dwain Hebda

FOX16 News, Little Rock

Kevin Kelly

Houston Business Journal, Texas

Jeff Jeffrey, Chris Mathews, Margaret Barrientos, Sara Samora, Laura Gillespie, Shafaq Patel, Giselle Greenwood

Jackson Free Press, Mississippi

Nick Judin, Kayode Crown, Donna Ladd

KATC-TV, Lafayette, La.

Andrew Clay, Staff

KOLR-TV, Springfield, Mo.

Brian Calfano, Lissa Hamblen

KPEJ-TV, Midland-Odessa, Texas

Monica Quintero

KUAR-FM

Anna Stitt, Daniel Breen, Sarah Kellogg, Alexandria Brown

KWTX-TV, Waco

Rosemond Crown, Gordon Collier, Clint Webb, Megan Vanselow, Drake Lawson, Bill Gowdy

KXAN-TV, Austin, Texas

Alex Caprariello

Leader Newspaper, Jacksonville, Ark.

Rick Kron

Louisiana College, Pineville

Elizabeth Christian

Mississippi Free Press, Jackson

Ashton Pittman, William Pittman, Christian Middleton, Donna Ladd, Aliyah Veal, Mauricio J. Quijano

Politico, Arlington, Va.

Bret Schulte

Richmond News, Missouri

Jack “Miles” Ventimiglia

Riverfront Times, St. Louis

Danny Wicentowski

Texas Observer, Austin

Amal Ahmed, Chris O’Connell, Savannah Maher

The Trucker, Little Rock

Wendy Miller, Linda Garner-Bunch, Lyndon Finney, Sam Pierce, The Trucker Editorial Staff

WVLT-TV, Knoxville

Ashley Bohle, Brittany Tarwater, Keith Smith, WVLT Staff

STUDENT MEDIA

Louisiana State University (Reveille, LSU Tiger TV, LSU Manship News Service, KLSU-FM) Baton Rouge

Katherine Manuel, Anna Jones, Bailey Williams, Alyssa Berry, Matthew Clark, Sydney McGovern, Karli Carpenter, Kendall Duncan, Ally Kadlubar, Caleb Greene, Bailey Chauvin, Reed Darcey, Jared Brodtmann, Luke Chevalier, Marie Plunkett, Evan Leonhard, Cecile Girard, Sofia McKentry

Louisiana College, Wildcats Media, Pineville

Alena Noakes, Joel Thompson, Aaron Quartemont

Arkansas State University, Delta Digital News Service, Jonesboro

Christine Miyawa, Tristan Bennett, Krishnan Collins, Chase Gage

University of Central Arkansas, The Echo, Conway

Ronak Patel, Lauren McLemore, Morgan Jenkins, Delaney Van Wilpe, Elvira Toddy, Megan Holder

Just the Facts: Fact-Checking Panel

Just the Facts: Fact-Checking Panel

7 p.m. CT Tuesday, Dec. 1

Learn about those who have provided fact-checking of presidential debates and other
news events during the Just the Facts webinar, hosted by the Arkansas Pro Chapter of
the Society of Professional Journalists. The panel will provide information about the ins
and outs of fact-checking, as well as its importance to audiences.

Speaker: Debra Utacia Krol of the Arizona Republic
Debra Utacia Krol, an Indigenous affairs reporter at the Arizona Republic, was part
of a team of experts that fact-checked a Trump-Biden presidential debate on behalf
of USA TODAY. She is an award-winning journalist who specializes in Indigenous,
environmental and science topics.

Other speakers to be announced.

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/170572208099574/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A%5B%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22surface%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22create_dialog%22%7D%5D%7D&onload_action=online_event_upsell_dialog

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83533003181?pwd=L3hXaG5tNGkwS2g4LzdnU0xaR2drUT09

Password: ArkPro