2006 Television contest rules

Eligibility

All entries must be submitted exactly as they originally appeared. Rewriting, re-editing and condensation are not allowed and will be grounds for disqualification.

Entries in languages other than English will be accepted if accompanied by an English transcript.

There are no limits on the number of entries a person may make in any category and no limits on the number of categories a person may enter. However, no piece of work may be submitted in more than one category - except a piece entered in categories T1-T9 may also be entered in T10-14 or O1-O2.

General rules

Each entry must be accompanied by an entry blank (original or copy) and an entry fee of $10. Make checks payable to: Best of the West. A single check for multiple entries from the same journalist or station is appreciated.

Entries must be postmarked no later than Jan. 31, 2006, and received no later than Feb. 10, 2006. No late entries will be accepted.

Send or deliver all entries to:
Best of the West
P.O. Box 13367
Phoenix, AZ 85002
or
John Leach
The Arizona Republic
200 E. Van Buren St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004

All entries will be judged by professional journalists from outside the West. A copy of the rules is provided to the judges, and the judges are asked to critique winning entries. Sign up to receive e-mail alerts with results as they arrive from judges.

Or check this Web site for contest results, which will be posted by May.

Judges' decisions are final, unless winning entries are found to violate contest rules. In that case, the entries will be disqualified and the prize awarded to the next-place winner. Disqualified entries will forfeit entry fees.

Judges normally select a first-, second- and third-place winner in each category but are under no obligation to do so and may award no prizes or an incomplete list of prizes.

The first place prize is a medallion. If up to three people contribute to a first-place winner, each will receive a medallion. If four or more contribute to a first-place winner, the medallion will be presented to the station. Each contributor to a first-, second- and third-place winner will get a certificate.

Best of the West reserves the right to reproduce winning entries for publicity and promotional purposes.

Large stations are urged to designate one person to funnel questions from the staff, sort entries into categories, check entry forms, check that all fees are enclosed and mail or deliver entries in one parcel. A single check for most or all of a station's entries is preferred.

Entry procedures

If more than one person contributed to an entry, each contributor should be listed on the entry form. However, entries with a large number of contributors may be submitted as "Staff." The entry form may be duplicated as necessary. An electronic version of the form is available at our web site.

The pieces entered may be up to 20 minutes in length - or may be a 20-minute excerpt from a longer program. Entries should be videotape copies of the original piece and may include studio introduction and tag. Only VHS format is acceptable - no exceptions. Additional introductions or musical preludes are strictly prohibited, as are redubbing, re-editing or retaping.

In cases where numerous entries are made by employees of the same station, all entries from that station may be submitted together on videocassettes, provided they are grouped on cassettes by category with only one category per cassette. Each piece should be identified by a videoslate containing the title of the entry, category number and date first aired.

A list showing the title(s) of the entry or entries should be taped to the outside of the cassette case. The entry form or forms for the entry or entries should be placed in an envelope and enclosed in the cassette case along with a short summary of the entry. Do not tape the cassette case closed.

Letters of explanation are acceptable in all categories. However, supporting materials are not allowed.

Although all reasonable care will be taken in the handling and processing of entries, Best of the West is not responsible for lost, mislaid or damaged entries.

Questions?

Contest categories

Reporting

T1. Environment and Growth Reporting: One or more reports on an environmental or growth issue in the West. The pieces may be up to 60 minutes in length and should examine the issue in depth and address causes and effects. Judged for completeness, balance, clarity, community importance, overall assembly and presentation-and, for series, continuity and lack of duplication.

T2. Immigration and Minority Affairs Reporting: One more reports on an immigration or minority affairs issue in the West. The pieces may be up to 60 minutes in length and should examine the issue in depth and address causes and effects. Judged for completeness, balance, clarity, community importance, overall assembly and presentation-and, for series, continuity and lack of duplication.

T3. Spot News Coverage: A single report of a news event aired within 24 hours of the event and up to 60 minutes in length. All video images must be taken by local cameras. Judged for clear and concise visual and aural coverage.

T4. Consumer Reporting: One or more reports on a consumer issue. The pieces should examine the issue in depth and address causes and effects. Judged for completeness, balance, clarity, community importance and overall presentation.

T5. Investigative Reporting: One or more reports of up to 60 minutes in length on the same subject, the result of extensive research and original investigation. Judged for quality of investigation, balance, community importance, overall assembly and presentation, and-in cases of a series-for continuity and lack of duplication.

T6. Feature Reporting, Same Day: A single feature story that was shot, written, edited and aired in the same day. It should strike people's curiosity, sympathy, skepticism, consternation or amazement. Judged for overall presentation, creativity, clarity and flair.

T7. Feature Reporting, No Time Limit: A single feature story that was produced over a period of time. It should strike people's curiosity, sympathy, skepticism, consternation or amazement. Judged for overall presentation, creativity, clarity and flair.

T8. Series Reporting: Up to five parts of a series. Judged for completeness, balance, public importance, continuity and overall visual and aural presentation.

T9. Sports Reporting Category: A single story shot, written, edited and aired in a 24-hour period within a designated sports segment. The story can be a general sports report, spot news, investigative, or feature in nature. Judged for overall quality of presentation, clarity and creativity.

Photojournalism and videography

T10. Daily General Assignment News Photojournalism: A compilation of three different stories from daily general news coverage. Entries must have been shot and edited the same day they aired. Live intros and outs with reporters may be included. Judged for visual storytelling, clarity, editing and creativity.

T11. Sports Photojournalism: A single story about sports, sporting events, or those involved with sports. Entries will be judged on photojournalism, creativity, editing, and visual storytelling.

T12. Videography/Photography: A single piece or up to five parts of a series. Judged for overall technical and aesthetic quality, including creative visual and aural storytelling.

T13. Video Editing: A single story judged on editing, not the quality of the photography. Judged on pacing, use of video and audio, including natural sound and music, that enhance the aesthetic quality of the piece.

T14. Video Essay/Natural Sound: A story that uses video, interviews and natural sound to tell a story without narration. Judged not on overall technical and aesthetic quality, but on how well the story is told.

Online

O1. Online enterprise reporting: An online package that uncovers news, explores an issue in depth or offers compelling and original analysis. Judged for overall presentation, clarity, completeness, balance, community importance and creative use of the medium.

O2. Online multimedia storytelling: A single online multimedia report that demonstrates strong storytelling, using one or more of the following: audio, video, photos, graphics, animation and/or interactivity. Judged for overall presentation, reader interest, technical and aesthetic quality and creative use of the medium.

About the contest

The Best of the West contest rewards journalistic excellence and promotes freedom of information. It is administered by First Amendment Funding Inc., a nonprofit corporation.

Proceeds from the contest are used to help finance nonprofit media hotlines in the West that provide journalists with free, on-the-spot legal advice on public records and open meetings.

Nearly $200,000 in grants have been awarded to organizations in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

For information and grant application forms, write to: Grants, First Amendment Funding Inc., P.O. Box 13367, Phoenix, AZ 85002. The application deadline is Jan. 31, 2006. Grants will be made in late February.