- Awarded for excellence in reporting skills in the field of religion and published in the general news media.
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Entry fee: $50 for members / $75 for non-members
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Deadline: Feb. 1, 2010 Extended to
Feb. 5, 2010
- 1st place: $1,000 and a citation
- 2nd place: $250 and citation
- 3rd place: $100 and citation
- Submit: five articles on religion published in the year prior to the contest. (Stories published only in the 2009 calendar year are eligible for the 2010 RNA contests.)
- The five articles should show depth in reporting, demonstrated by quality of sources, difficulty of obtaining information and/or ability to place that information in context. Entries can include, but are not limited to, breaking news, enterprise reporting and continuing coverage.
- One sidebar per story (printed on the same day) is allowed.
- Series with single OR multiple bylines are allowed, but each installment of a series will count as a separate story (max of five stories). When series have multiple bylines, the award will be given to the media outlet rather than a single reporter.
- 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. All materials must be published on the same date and reported and written by the same author (unless a series). No photos or audio allowed.
- Stories should be submitted in an anonymous fashion; No bylines, photo credits or other identifying information allowed.
- 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 and entry fee. If your entries were
received properly, you'll receive a confirmation via e-mail.
- Entries must be submitted by Feb. 1, 2010 Extended to
Feb. 5, 2010.
- Our online entry form includes a payment page. There, you can pay with a credit card (individual entries only),
or you can choose "Bill Me" at checkout to pay by check.
- We accept personal or company checks (made payable to RNA), and most major credit cards (VISA, MC, DISC, AMEX).
- If paying for multiple entries with the same check: choose "Bill me" when completing our online form. Then, generate a check (made payable to RNA) and include with it a list of all the people and contests
the check covers to make certain proper credit is issued. Submit checks to our business office: RNA, PO Box 2037, Westerville, OH
43086-2037.
- Canadian entrants: credit card payment is preferred. If paying by check, use dollars for currency.
- Receipts will be sent via e-mail.
It
is the intent of the Religion Newswriters Association annual contests
to recognize journalism excellence in general circulation newspapers,
news magazines, news wire services, radio and television. The contests
are designed to measure a journalist's grasp on a diversity of religion
issues. Religious media, including media whose goal is to support or
promote a particular religion, faith community or religious group, are
not eligible to participate in RNA contests.
In addition:
- All journalists who work for general circulation/audience media outlets are eligible to enter.
- RNA membership is NOT required for entry.
- RNA's president and vice presidents are not eligible to enter individual contests.
- See individual contest pages for further eligibility rules
The Reporter of the Year award, originally named the Templeton Reporter of the Year award, was first given in 1984. The award honors the breadth and depth of a journalist’s skills.
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Entry preparation & payment 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 five stories?
You should submit exactly five stories.
Should I include sidebars with my entry?
One sidebar per story is allowed, published on the same day of the story they reference. You are not required to include them.
May I submit a series?
Identified series (ie: "Part 1 of a three-part series) are allowed, but each installment will count as a separate story. If a winning series has multiple bylines, the award will be given to the media outlet rather than the individual.
May I submit stories—not part of series—that have more than one byline?
If you are entering five stories that are NOT part of a series, only one of them may have multiple bylines. You must write on the top page of that story: "Multiple byline; entrant did main writing.”
If you are entering a series, it can have multiple bylines. In that case, the award will be given to the media outlet rather than the individual.
What is the publishing date range to enter stories in the 2010 RNA contests?
Stories published Jan. 1, 2009 to Dec. 31, 2009 are eligible for the 2010 contest.
Eligibility Questions
Do I have to be a member of RNA to enter?
No, but we welcome you to look over our membership benefits and encourage you to join. Plus, members are eligible for highly discounted contest and conference registration fees.
Do I have to be a religion beat reporter to submit an entry?
No. Any journalist may enter provided the stories were published in an eligible publication.
I’m a columnist who writes about religion. May I enter Religion Reporter of the Year?
Yes.
I work for a newspaper outside North America. May I enter RNA’s contests?
No, only U.S. and Canadian outlets are eligible to enter RNA’s contests.
Are religious publications eligible to enter?
No.
Religious media, including media whose goal is to support or promote a
particular religion, faith community or religious group, are not
eligible to participate in RNA contests.
I’m a freelancer. May I submit articles from more than one outlet?
Yes.
You must list all the outlets included in your entry on your entry
form.
Are broadcast outlets or online-only outlets eligible to enter Religion Reporter?
This contest 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 meet our eligibility
requirements. The contest chairperson contacts the entrant to let
him/her know their entry is disqualified and why. The entry fee is then
returned.
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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 and pay the entry fee for each set.
May I submit entries for other awards too?
Yes. You may enter as many RNA awards as you wish, provided you meet the eligibility requirements for each one.
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 finalists on its Web site, www.RNA.org, by May 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 winners in June. 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 you are unable to attend the banquet, we will mail you
your 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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