- Awarded to the Student Writer of the Year for excellence in writing with emphasis on reporting skill and a grasp of religion issues that is fair, balanced and in accordance with journalistic standards.
- Entry fee: NO entry fee
- Entry deadline: May 3
- 1st place: $600 prize and a travel stipend to RNA Annual Conference
- 2nd place: $300 and citation
- 3rd place: $150 and citation
- Any full or part-time students who have never have been employed full-time as reporters or editors at general circulation newspapers are eligible (does not include internships). Submissions written during internships at secular media outlets are eligible. Note: Chandler entrants are not eligible for other RNA contests.
- The student must enter three news and/or feature stories dealing with religion that demonstrate fairness, balance and are in accordance with journalistic standards.
- All stories must have been published in the 2009-10 academic year (summer—spring) in a public newspaper, including campus newspapers and magazines.
- Stories from the printed publication or its online adjunct are allowed. Stories may include the main text, related sidebars, infographics, charts or other text material that appeared solely online. No photos or audio allowed.
- Stories should be submitted in an anonymous fashion; No bylines, photo credits or other identifying information allowed.
- One story may have multiple student bylines or story credits for reporting if the entrant notes "Multiple byline; entrant did main writing."
- In addition, one sidebar per story (printed on the same day) is allowed.
- Entries will not be returned.
- RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.
- Prepare your stories in one of these formats: Microsoft Word, PDF or text-only (txt) documents.
- Use
the
online form to submit your stories. If your entries were
received properly, you'll receive a confirmation via e-mail.
- Entries must be submitted by May 3, 2010.
Full- or part-time students who have never have been employed full-time as reporters or editors at general circulation newspapers are eligible. Internship employment does not count against you. If you have questions about your eligibility, please call (573) 823-2929 or e-mail Debra Mason.
The Chandler prize was first awarded in 2002. Russ Chandler was an award-winning religion reporter for the Los Angeles Times from 1974–1992. His work earned him the John Templeton Reporter of the Year Award and the James O. Supple Memorial Award, three times each. He was president of RNA from 1982–1984. He also received the Excellence in the Media’s Silver Angel Award for Religion in 1985 and 1989, as well as The Interfaith Alliance Foundation’s Faith and Freedom Award in 1993. Russ and his wife, ML, fund the annual award.
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Entry preparation questions
Can I submit hard copies?
We only accept online submissions.
What should be included with my submissions?
The
text of your story and its publication date. They can also include
headlines/subheads, datelines and informational graphics.
May I submit more or less than three stories?
You may submit up to three stories, however, most entries are comprised of the full three stories.
Should I include sidebars with my entry?
One sidebar per story is allowed in the Chandler contest.
May I submit a story with more than one byline?
The Chandler contest allows only one story with multiple bylines.
What is the publishing date range to enter stories in the 2010 RNA Chandler Award?
Academic year: Summer 2009 through Spring 2010.
Should I submit personal comments or a letter from my editor with my entry?
No. All such letters are removed before entries are sent to judges.
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Eligibility questions
Which "students” are eligible to enter Chandler?
Full- or part-time students who have never have been employed full-time as reporters or editors at general circulation newspapers are eligible. Internship employment does not count against you.
What are the publishing guidelines for Chandler entries?
All entries should have been published in print format (or its online adjunct) in a student or general circulation newspaper. Stories may include the main text, related sidebars, infographics, charts or other text material that appeared solely online. Articles written during internships at general circulation media outlets are eligible.
Do I have to be a student member of RNA to enter Chandler?
No, but we welcome you to look over our membership benefits and encourage you to join.
Do I have to be a religion beat student reporter to submit an entry?
No. Any journalist may enter provided the stories were published in an eligible publication.
I work for a newspaper outside North America. May I enter RNA’s contests?
No, only U.S. and Canadian college newspapers or general circulation newspapers are eligible to enter RNA’s contests.
Are broadcast outlets or online-only outlets eligible to enter Chandler?
Chandler is for print-primary publications. However, articles that also appeared on a newspaper’s Web site are eligible as well.
Why would an entry be disqualified, and what is the process for disqualification?
An
entry is only disqualified if the entrant doesn't make our eligibility
requirements. The contest chairperson contacts the entrant to let
him/her know their entry is disqualified and why.
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General questions
May I submit more than one entry for the same award?
Yes.
You may enter an award as many times as you like, so long as you submit
different stories for each entry.
May I submit entries for other awards too?
No. Chandler entrants aren't eligible for other RNA contests.
Will I receive confirmation that RNA received my entry?
Yes! When you submit your entry properly, you'll receive a confirmation via e-mail (be sure to check your spam folder too).
Who judges the contest?
Judges
include former contest winners, religion writers or others with
specialized knowledge of religion reporting. Judges are not allowed to
judge contests in which they may have a conflict of interest.
How many finalists/winners will the judges choose?
Judges generally select 10 finalists and three top winners, depending on the number of entries.
When will I know if I’m a finalist?
RNA posts the Chandler finalists on its Web site, www.RNA.org, by July 15. The list is also published in the RNA e-newsletter.
When will I know if I’m a winner?
The
contest chairman will contact Chandler winners in July. Winners are revealed to
the general public at the fall Awards Banquet at RNA’s Annual Conference.
Do I have to collect my prize in person to receive it?
No.
Most winners do try to attend the Awards Banquet, however, because the
event is so enjoyable. There is no cost to you and one guest to attend
the banquet. If winners are unable to attend the banquet, we mail them their check and plaque.
May I get a copy of the judges’ comments about my entry?
Only winners receive judges’ comments, if the judges provide them.
Do you publish past entries?
At www.RNA.org, we link to stories from the first, second and third place entries in each writing contest (when possible).
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