Awards for Television Reporting

QUICK LINKS:
DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM (Microsoft Word version)
DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM (PDF version)
AWARD PLACEMENTS & VALUES
RULES
ENTRY PREPARATION
ELIGIBILITY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Award Placements & Values

Citations will be given for first, second and third place.

Awarded for excellence in religion reporting in television for the general audience news media.
Entry fee: $50 for members / $70 for non-members.
Deadline: Feb. 1, 2008.

Contest Rules

• Submit a single story demonstrating breadth and depth of religion reporting as well as excellence in production values. Total story length must not exceed 10 minutes. Story must be submitted as aired during 2007.
• Story must include names of at least one reporter/correspondent and one producer/editor. A single person may serve as both producer/editor and reporter/correspondent.
• Submit on DVD or compact disc in protective case. Label both disc and case with entrant's name, address and specific contest name. One entry per disc.
• Include a script, a complete list of production credits and the broadcast date for the entry.
• RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.

Entry preparation

• You may submit multiple entries in each category.
• Each entry requires its own entry form and entry fee.
• Clearly mark all entries with the appropriate contest name, and note on your payment all contests you are entering.
• Failure to adhere precisely to contest rules may lead to disqualification.
• Entries must be postmarked on or before Feb. 1, 2008.
• Entries will not be returned.

Eligibility
It is the intent of the Religion Newswriters Association annual contests to recognize journalism excellence in the general circulation news media. The contests are designed to measure a journalist's grasp on a diversity of religion issues. All journalists who report for general circulation media outlets are eligible to enter. 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. If you have questions, please call (614) 891-9001, ext. 2#, or e-mail McCallen@RNA.org.

In addition:
• RNA membership is NOT required for entry.
• RNA's president and first vice president are not eligible to enter individual contests.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: TELEVISION AWARDS

ENTRY PREPARATION & PAYMENT QUESTIONS
ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS
GENERAL QUESTIONS

TELEVISION ENTRY PREPARATION & PAYMENT INFORMATION

What is the air date range to enter stories in the 2008 RNA contests?
Stories that aired between Jan. 1, 2007 and Dec. 31, 2007 are eligible for the 2008 Television contest.

Should I submit personal comments or a letter from my editor with my television entry?
No. All such letters are removed before entries are sent to judges.

May I copy the entry form if I enter more than one contest?
Yes. BE SURE to write the contest name on the top of each of your entries, and include an entry form with EVERY entry.

May my station use one check to cover multiple people’s entries for many contests?
Yes. Include with the check a list of all the people and contests the check covers to make certain proper credit is given.

May payment checks be sent separately from entries?
Yes, just note on your entry form that the check will arrive at RNA under separate cover. Be sure the check’s memo includes who and what contest the payment covers.

What forms of payment do you accept?
Check, credit card (VISA, MC, DISC, AMEX), cash, money order. Checks and money orders should be made payable to RNA or Religion Newswriters Association.

Will I receive confirmation that RNA received my entry?
No. You are welcome to call 614-891-9001, ext. 2#, if you’d like to verify that RNA received it.

I’m sending my entry via FedEx, UPS or DHL. What RNA address should I use?
Send your entry to: RNA: Contests, 99-A North State Street, Westerville, OH 43081.

TELEVISION ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS

Do I have to be a member of RNA to enter the television contest?
No, but you are welcome to use your entry form to join RNA.

Do I have to be a religion beat reporter to submit an entry?
No. Any journalist may enter provided the stories were aired via an eligible station.

I work for a station 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 stations eligible to enter the Television contest?
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.

Why would an entry be disqualified, and what is the process for disqualification?
An entry could be disqualified for the following reasons: 1) Didn’t follow contest rules. 2) Doesn’t meet eligibility requirements. 3) Didn’t follow entry preparation guidelines. The contest chairperson contacts the entrant to let him/her know their entry is disqualified and why. The entry fee is returned.

TELEVISION CONTEST GENERAL QUESTIONS

May I submit more than one entry for the television contest?
Yes. You may enter as many times as you like, provided the stories for each entry are different.

May I enter other contests too?
Yes. You may enter as many contests as you wish, provided you meet the eligibility requirements for each contest.

Who judges the contest?
Judges include former contest winners, religion reporters 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 five finalists and one winner, 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 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 Awards Banquet at RNA’s Annual Conference.

Is there a cash prize for the television contests?
No. First place receives a citation.

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 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 winning entries when possible.

Do you return entries?
We are not able to return entries.