Awards: FAQs
Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism
By Journalists. For Journalists.
2008 Contest FAQ
What are the Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism?
The awards, begun in 2004, were created by the Association for Health Care Journalists to recognize the best health reporting in print, broadcast and online media. The winning entries also may be used by AHCJ in educational efforts – to help improve the caliber of health care journalism.
Who is eligible for the contest?
Anyone who has written about health in 2008, be it public health, consumer health, medical research, health policy or the business of health care.
Association members pay a discounted entry fee, but non-AHCJ members may still enter. Members of the AHCJ board, employees and contest committee members are not eligible to enter the contest. Contest screeners and judges may enter because they never review entries in their own categories.
Entries originally published in languages other than English are allowed. Such entries, however, must include an accurate translation attached to each copy, along with a letter from the news outlet certifying the translation's accuracy and the name and contact information of the translator.
What work is eligible?
All work published/aired between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2008.
 Christopher Pond/AHCJ Michael Berens of The Seattle Times accepts an award for "License to Harm" from AHCJ Board President Trudy Lieberman. |
What are the categories?
- Large Newspapers (over 250,000 circulation) and wire services
- Medium Newspapers (90,000 to 250,000 circulation)
- Small Newspapers (under 90,000 circulation)
- General-Interest Magazines above 1 million circulation
- General-Interest Magazines below 1 million circulation
- Trade Publications/Newsletters
- TV (Local markets, network, syndicated)
- Radio (Local markets, network, syndicated)
- Online: This category includes projects, stories and blogs aimed exclusively or primarily at an online audience rather than a traditional print or broadcast outlet.
- Beat Reporting: This is an individual award. In the questionnaire, the entrant should explain the beat. You may submit up to four stories, carrying a single byline, to provide a representative sample of your work. You also may submit this work in other categories.
- Limited Report: This award is for a stand-alone piece of limited length. Print and online entries are limited to 1,500 words. TV and radio entries are limited to five minutes.
What is an online entry?
This category is a new one and is designed for stories, projects or blogs aimed exclusively or primarily at an online audience. This is a category geared for online publications and authors who mainly write Web reports.
If I wrote an article for my newspaper, but the story also had online components, may I enter it in the online category?
No. Because the article was designed originally to run in the newspaper, it is not an online entry. This is the case even if a longer version of your piece runs online.
What about stories that originally appeared online, but later ran in the newspaper or appeared on television?
If the story was originally intended to run online, you may enter it in the online category, but again, this category is best suited for online publications and authors who mostly write stories for the Web. If there are added multimedia components to a story intended for a newspaper or television program, you may provide a link for the judges’ consideration while entering in the appropriate print or broadcast category, but they do not constitute an online entry.
Can I submit online items to the print or broadcast categories?
Yes, if those online items, such as charts, videos, additional stories, were adjuncts to the print or broadcast piece, you may provide a link for the judges’ consideration. Judges will consider them as additional information to the main entry and will have discretion in how much weight to give the online components when choosing winners.
How much does it cost to enter?
We offer an early-bird discount for those entries postmarked by Dec. 17, 2008. The rate for these entries is $30 for members and $55 for nonmembers.
Regular entries must be postmarked by Jan. 26, 2009, or earlier. These entries will cost $50 for members and $75 for nonmembers. Checks should be made payable to the Association of Health Care Journalists. Credit cards also are accepted.
Join the Association and receive the member rate.
How can I enter?
- Download and complete the entry form (PDF).
- Submit an electronic copy of the questionnaire (page 3 of entry form) on CD, disk or via e-mail to submissions@healthjournalism.org. Download a plain text version of the questionnaire that you can fill out electronically. The questionnaire helps the contest judges and will increase the value of our future archive to fellow journalists.
- For television entries, include five DVDs. For radio entries, include five copies on CD.
For print and online entries, submit one original – plus four other copies (five total) – of your story or report.
• If an original is not available, you may submit an archived library printout (printout from your newsroom library). The additional four copies may be originals, clear photocopies of the original or additional archived library printouts.
• Entries originally published in languages other than English must include an accurate translation attached to each copy, along with a letter from the news outlet certifying the translation’s accuracy and the name and contact information of the translator. - Attach an entry form and completed questionnaire to each of the five story copies.
- Be sure to enclose your check or credit card information.
- Complete the entry checklist (page 2 of the entry form) and include one copy of the checklist, attached to the original copy of your story/report.
- Ship by the preferred deadline. Regular deadline entries must be postmarked by Jan. 26, 2009.
How many names may be on each entry?
A maximum of three individuals may be named, one of whom must be the lead writer. If there are more than three significant contributors to the work, the entry should be submitted in the name of the news organization. The beat reporting category is an individual award.
AHCJ pays only one prize for each winning entry.
How many stories can be submitted per entry?
A maximum of three stories on the same topic may be submitted in each entry, but a designated series of articles may be submitted in its entirety. Two exceptions: In the "beat reporting" category, up to four stories may be submitted, and the "best limited report" category is for a single stand-alone piece of limited length.
Entries that do not adhere to this rule will be disqualified.
Do sidebars count as separate stories or can they be included with a main story?
Sidebars count as separate stories.
Is there a limit to the number of entries I can submit?
No, but each entry requires its own entry fee and entry form. Entries in the beat reporting category also may be submitted in another category with a separate entry fee.
Can books be submitted to the contest?
At this time, the contest does not include a category for health books. We may consider one at a later date.
May I submit an entire newsletter for judging?
No. Only specific articles from newsletters may be entered. Newsletter articles should be submitted in the "Trade Publications/Newsletters" category.
May I submit supplemental material?
Any entrant may include a nominating letter that is no longer than 300 words. You may wish to mention the story's context, impact or any reactions that may not be readily apparent. If you do submit a cover letter, include five copies of it. Please do not submit additional stories as back-up material.
When is a cover letter required?
A cover letter is required if you are submitting a translated article; the letter must certify the translation’s accuracy and the name and contact information of the translator.
How should entries be prepared?
All newspaper, magazine and online submissions must be submitted on 8.5-x-11-inch white paper. Multiple pages are allowed, but foldovers are not. Please ensure the font is readable.
Television entries should be sent on DVD (include five copies).
Radio entries should be sent on CD (include five copies).
Should the original story be cut and pasted onto 8.5-x-11-inch paper or can it be submitted in its original format?
The original stories and copies should be an original tearsheet or cut and pasted and submitted on 8.5-x-11-inch, unless you are submitting photocopies or electronic printouts. By entering this contest, you are confirming that the entries represent the stories as originally published.
Why is it important for me to fill out the questionnaire and sign a release allowing AHCJ to put entries on its Web site?
As part of its effort to help members produce better stories, AHCJ is trying to gather examples of good health journalism and make those available to our members. All entries must have a signed release and completed questionnaire.
How will entries be judged?
Each category has its own team of screeners and final judges who are not competing in that category. The full list of screeners and judges will be available on the Association's Web site. Judges' comments on winning entries will be read at the awards ceremony and be posted on the Web site. Remarks on nonwinning entries will not be made public.
What do I get if I win?
First-place winners earn $500 and a framed certificate. First-place winners also will receive complimentary lodging for two nights and registration for the annual conference, to be held April 16-19, 2009, in Seattle. First-place winners will be recognized at the conference and will be encouraged to appear on panels to discuss their winning work. If there is more than one entrant on the award, it is up to these winners to divide any prize. Lodging will only be covered for one individual in each category.
What is the deadline for entering the contest?
Entries must be postmarked no later than Jan. 26, 2009. Priority or expedited shipping is appreciated. Faxed or e-mailed entries will not be accepted. Your entry fees must be received by the deadline for your entries to be considered. Don’t forget the discount for entering early ... AHCJ members whose entries are postmarked by Dec. 17, 2008, pay just $30 ($55 for nonmembers). That goes up to $50 for members and $75 for nonmembers after Dec. 17.
Where do I send my entries?
AHCJ Contest
10 Neff Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(Include this number on overnighted packages 573-884-5606)
To whom should I direct questions?
For more information, send e-mail to contest@healthjournalism.org.