Hoosier State Press Association - The Indiana Publisher - Better Newspaper Contest
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/96748
Blue Ribbon Judges base this highest accolade of the HSPA Foundation Better Newspaper Contest on an overall evaluation of the editorial quality of the newspaper. Judges look for the newspaper best serving its readers with all variables considered. They examine breadth and depth of coverage, quality of reporting and copy editing, news judgment and content balance, general appearance, imaginative approach to problem news areas, originality, reader interest and overall professionalism. The Blue Ribbon Award honors one daily and one nondaily newspaper, regardless of circulation size. Blue Ribbon Daily Daily First place The Indianapolis Star Comments: Events presented The Star with some very big stories this contest period, and the staff tackled them expertly. The Saturday night coverage of the tragic State Fair stage collapse prior to the Sugarland show couldn���t have been better. All on deadline and jam-packed with info for next-day readers. Storytelling especially in the Pekin tornado look-back was vivid and gripping. The Super Bowl preview package was filled with useful information for spectators, volunteers and business leaders. Packaging and smart refers show that the newsroom works together as an effective team. Second place Daily Reporter (Greenfield) Comments: The Daily Reporter (Greenfield) produces a very newsy and enterprising paper with one of the smallest staffs in the contest. Ledes are well-crafted and photos and graphics really help tell the story. Reproduction and design are excellent. As a first-time reader, we found the paper immediately engaging and informative. Third place The Herald Bulletin (Anderson) Comments: The paper���s commitment to its community was strongly evident in every edition. The paper is well-designed with a good mix of local and wire content. The Herald Bulletin makes good use of nonprint platforms and aggressively updates its website with real-time posting of breaking news. The relatively small staff shows a commitment to long-form, investigating work and also publishes two specialty magazines. They serve up a solid, four-section Sunday product, guarantees a local editorial 365 days a year and, during the contest period, sponsored two political debates. BRAVO! The Indianapolis Star Publisher: Karen Crotchfelt Editor: Jeff Taylor Page 5