THE Highlands and Islands Media Awards 2011 officially open for entries today.
Time to review the top stories and features you have written over the past year and present them for critical review by the judging panel.
Winners will be announced at the Press Ball at the Newton Hotel, Nairn, on Friday 3 February, 2012. We will be advising short listed entrants in mid-January. We are looking for entries by 5pm on Friday 2 December.
Please send these, indicating clearly which category you are entering and including your contact details, to Alison MacNeill, at HIE, Cowan House, Inverness Retail and Business Park, Inverness, IV2 7GF. Email: alison.macneill@hient.co.uk
Separately, we would also invite nominations for the Barron Trophy, which recognises exceptional service given to journalism in the Highlands and Islands. Please send these to Gordon Fyfe, 8 Raasay Road, Inverness IV2 3LR.
The other category headings and entry requirements are as follows – also see our facebook page www.facebook.com/highlandsandislandsmediaawards
Once again, we are very grateful to Diageo and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for their continued support of the event.
The following categories apply and, within each, there will be one winner and one/two highly commended entrants.
YOUNG JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – ALEX MAIN TROPHY
Entrants for this category must be under 25 on 2 December 2011.
Judges are seeking evidence of journalistic skill in originality, presentation, dedication, and engagement with the community the publication represents.
SPORTS WRITER OF THE YEAR
For newspaper, magazine or broadcast work. Entries are welcome from writers/broadcasters delivering the wide range of sports coverage in the Highlands and Islands. Three pieces to be submitted demonstrating range of ability preferably across a variety of sports and/or events.
PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
For news, sport or feature photography within the Highlands and Islands. A portfolio of no more than six prints in colour or black and white, of which a minimum of three must have been published, should be supplied.
TOP SHOT FOR THE YEAR
For news, sport or feature photography within the Highlands and Islands. This will be open to both staff and freelance photographers. Provide one photograph which you think has the most outstanding story telling quality.
BORD NA GAIDHLIG AWARD
For the best three articles or broadcast features produced in Gaelic.
BEST USE OF DIGITAL MEDIA
Open to all journalists/editors or web designers for their representation of Highlands and Islands news or features on the web. This may include use of social media, articles, podcasts, or websites which appeared between 18 December 2010 and 2 December 2011. Please send three examples of work via: links/files/web addresses or hard copy of content. This category will be judged on content and presentation.
REPORTER OF THE YEAR – JIM LOVE MEMORIAL AWARD
For newspaper, magazine or broadcast reporting. Three separate published/broadcast stories across a range of subjects to be supplied indicating good community contacts, originality, accuracy, and an understanding of target audience.
TOP STORY OF THE YEAR
For newspaper, magazine or broadcast work. The winning writer should demonstrate service to the community/ies from fair, accurate and compelling coverage of an issue/campaign. This could be one outstanding piece of work or follow an issue across a number of occasions. A single piece or a series of a maximum of three published pieces to be supplied.
COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR
Open to all community newspapers/newsletters published within the HIE area between 18 December 2010 and 2 December 2011. One copy of three editions to be supplied.
NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR
Open to all newspapers published within the HIE area between 18 December 2010 and 2 December 2011. One copy of three editions to be supplied.
FEATURE WRITER OF THE YEAR
This category is being extended to include the work of public relations professionals working in the area. Three news pieces and/or features should be submitted demonstrating range and ability.
THE CLASSIC MALTS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Diageo. Overall award for most outstanding journalistic talent of the year. This will be selected at the judges’ discretion. No specific entries are required.
ALL ENTRIES SHOULD BE PRESENTED IN A NEAT AND TIDY MANNER AND ALL PHOTOCOPIES CLEARLY LEGIBLE. MISSING SECTIONS OF TEXT OR ILLEGIBILITY WILL, UNFORTUNATELY, DISQUALIFY ENTRIES.
Please DO NOT enter the same articles/features in separate sections ie Young Journalist and Newspaper of the Year. Please submit a separate portfolio for the category of your choice.
NOTE TO NEWSDESKS FROM GORDON FYFE, CHAIR OF THE HIGHLAND AND ISLANDS MEDIA AWARDS, FOR DISTRIBUTION TO WORKING JOURNALISTS IN YOUR OFFICE AND FREELANCE CONTRIBUTORS.
PLEASE ALERT ALL STAFF AND FREELANCE WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS THAT YOU USE REGULARLY OR OCCASIONALLY OF THIS OPPORTUNITY.
MEDIA RELEASE posted by HIE. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on this site. For more information, email here.
Website: http://www.facebook.com/highlandsandislandsmediaawards
