- Awarded for excellence in multimedia packages covering religion and online religion pages in the general circulation news media.
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Entry fee: $50 for members (one staff member must be an RNA member) / $75 for non-members
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Deadline: Feb. 1, 2010 Extended to
Feb. 5, 2010
Citations for first, second and third place will be given.
- Schachern eligibility: online affiliates of traditional journalism sites and independent Web sites that engage in news coverage of religion are both eligible for this contest (see each award for its eligibility). Sites that enter must include original
religion reporting. Original commentary can also be included, but sites
that only aggregate and comment on material from other Web sites are
not eligible.
- Submit exactly three examples of multimedia packages covering religion. Acceptable formats include working URLs or interactive PDFs (file size cannot exceed 15 MB).
- Entrants must provide a list of all elements to be judged, including which stories, graphics and links are being submitted. Each of these elements should be clearly connected to the main URL.
- Entries will be judged first on the quality of reporting and writing about religion, and secondly on the best use of multimedia techniques and digital resources to present that coverage. Examples of multimedia use include photos, video, audio, slide presentations, interactive graphics, searchable databases, linked documents, chats, quizzes, polls and other features. (NOTE: The opportunity for readers to comment may be considered as evidence of interactivity, but the comments themselves will not be judged.)
- Entries require the use of features that are only possible online, and is not for unaltered newspaper stories or radio/television broadcasts that are posted to the Web.
- RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.
- Prepare your submissions via working URL or interactive PDF (file size cannot exceed 15 MB).
- Use
the
online form to submit your packages 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,
or you can choose "Bill Me" at checkout to pay by check.
- We accept checks and credit cards (VISA, MC, DISC, AMEX). Checks should be made payable to RNA.
- If paying for multiple entries with the same card or check: For credit cards, follow the instructions in our payment center. For
checks, include with the check a list of all the people and contests
the check covers to make certain proper credit is given.
- Submit checks to our business office: RNA, PO Box 2037, Westerville, OH
43086-2037. Include with the check a list of all the people and
contests the check covers to make certain proper credit is given.
- 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 Schachern Award, first given in 1969, honors excellence in multimedia packages covering religion and online religion pages. Prior to 2010, the award honored print and online newspaper sections and pages. Harold Schachern was RNA president from 1964 to 1966. During that time he worked as a religion reporter for The Detroit News. Among his many accomplishments, he pushed to have the National Conference of Catholic Bishops meetings opened to reporters. At the time journalists were given handouts of the conference from which they were expected to write stories as if it were first-hand. The sessions weren’t opened to the press until 1972, three years after Schachern’s death. His campaign has also been credited with positively affecting the coverage of the Second Vatican Council.
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Entry preparation & payment questions
Can I submit hard copies?
We only accept online submissions.
What identifying information IS allowed on my entry?
Everything.
What is the publishing date range?
January 1–December 31, 2009
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Eligibility questions
May full-time students (high school, undergrad or graduate) enter Schachern?
Yes, full-time students may enter Schachern. However, full-time students may not enter both Schachern and Chandler. Schachern entries from students must be from a general circulation publication (ie. Articles from student media are not allowed in Schachern).
Do I have to be a member of RNA to enter Schachern?
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.
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 Schachern?
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
Are broadcast outlets or online-only outlets eligible to enter Schachern?
Yes.
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. 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, pages or packages 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
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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