Better Newspaper Contest results announced July 23

0
57

This spring, the Hoosier State Press Association received 1,635 entries from 61 newspapers across Indiana for the 53rd annual Better Newspaper Contest. Winners will be announced at noon on Friday, July 23 at hspa2.aimmediallcindiana.com.


The coronavirus pandemic caused the cancellation of an in-person awards event last year and this year. The 2021 awards will be presented on a web page with opening and closing remarks from Steve Key, HSPA executive director and general counsel


“I wish I was standing before you in a packed room but life has changed over the last 17 months,” Key said in his video greeting. “The trial we all endured has illustrated once again the importance of strong, local journalism.”


Key’s opening remarks are followed by the announcement of the HSPA’s special honors and hundreds of individual and organizational awards divided up by the four circulation divisions.

“Your work under these circumstances makes me proud to be a part of the Hoosier State Press Association.”

“Your work under these circumstances makes me proud to be a part of the Hoosier State Press Association.”

“Your work under these circumstances makes me proud to be a part of the Hoosier State Press Association.”

“Your work under these circumstances makes me proud to be a part of the Hoosier State Press Association.”

Steve Key, HSPA executive director and general counsel


The special honors include the Blue Ribbon Award, the top recognition given to two newspapers — one daily and one non-daily — judged as the best publication in the state. A video accompanies each announcement.


The Blue Ribbon winners are followed by recognition for this year’s Nina Mason Pulliam Environmental Journalism Award recipient. This award was established through a grant by the Pulliam Trust to the Hoosier State Press Association Foundation to recognize Indiana journalists for outstanding reporting on environmental issues. The recipient receives a $1,000 award.


Also included are the General Excellence Awards. This category is not judged but represents an accumulation of points earned in the other categories and is given to the paper in each division with the highest overall point total.


One award each is given for Photo and Story of the Year. These are judged as the most outstanding pieces of work – regardless of a newspaper’s circulation.


The special awards are followed by newspaper winners from the four circulation divisions in Indiana. These awards are listed on downloadable PDFs with links to all the winning entries including stories, photos, pages, web pages and more.


The pandemic caused a pause in normal award protocols for the last two years but not in the quality of work being honored.


“Newsrooms across the state rose to the occasion producing stories not only about the pandemic but a host of other issues impacting Hoosiers,” Key said.


“Your work under these circumstances makes me proud to be a part of the Hoosier State Press Association.”