Here are the categories for the 2024 Golden Press Card Awards of the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists (ETSPJ).

2024 Rules and Instructions
How to login and general help
Enter the Contest
2023 Golden Press Card winners

The Golden Press Card Awards is a journalism competition held by ETSPJ to encourage and highlight excellence in journalism.

ALL MEDIA

ARTS & CULTURE REPORTING

Incisive reporting about art, music, movies, theater, dance, books, restaurants, architecture or other public performance. May also include reviews. Submit up to three pieces. Supporting letter recommended. All media compete together.

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY REPORTING

Coverage of people, trends, issues or events related to technology, companies, financial markets or consumer reporting. May submit up to three pieces (any medium). Supporting letter recommended. All media compete together.

CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT REPORTING

Insightful reporting on climate and environmental issues. Up to three pieces (any medium). Supporting letter recommended. All media compete together.

CONTINUING COVERAGE

Include cover letter with URLs of a major developing story over an extended time. Entry may include on air coverage, screenshots/URLs of web, social media and news alerts. Winners in each of Digital Only, Radio, Newspaper (Large), Newspaper (Small) and Television.

DEADLINE/BREAKING NEWS REPORTING

Coverage within 24 hours of a news event. Include cover letter of deadlines/obstacles overcome. May submit up to three pieces. Winners in each of Digital Only, Radio, Newspaper (Large), Newspaper (Small) and Television.

DIGITAL CONTENT

Up to three articles created specifically for online platforms. Please do not submit repurposed content. All media compete together.

DIGITAL COMMENTARY

Commentary or analysis by an individual. Judges will consider the quality of expression, clarity and originality. Submit up to three columns as one entry. Please do not submit repurposed content. All media compete together.

FEATURE REPORTING

A single story covering a human-interest or profile subject. Winners in each of Digital Only, Radio, Newspaper (Large), Newspaper (Small) and Television.

GENERAL REPORTING

An individual story that demonstrates excellence in beat reporting, continuing coverage or enterprise reporting. Winners in each of Digital Only, Radio, Newspaper (Large), Newspaper (Small) and Television.

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS REPORTING

Submit up to four pieces. You may include a supporting letter for provide additional context. Winners in each of Digital Only, Radio, Newspaper (Large), Newspaper (Small) and Television.

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

Entry may include up to five pieces by an individual or team and a cover letter. Winners in each of Digital Only, Radio, Newspaper (Large), Newspaper (Small) and Television.

HURRICANE HELENE BREAKING COVERAGE

Up to five pieces by an individual or team and a cover letter covering breaking news coverage of the hurricane between Sept. 27 and Sept. 30, 2024. Winners in each of Digital Only, Radio, Newspaper (Large), Newspaper (Small) and Television.

HURRICANE HELENE IN-DEPTH COVERAGE

Include cover letter with URLs of showcasing extensive and in-depth coverage. The cover letter should include how the new organization mobilized to cover the story and the challenges it faced. Entry may include on-air coverage, screenshots/URLs of web, social media and news alerts. Winners in each of Digital Only, Radio, Newspaper (Large), Newspaper (Small) and Television.

PHOTOJOURNALISM – BEST NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY

Submit a collection of up to three news photos from the same photographer. All media compete together.

PHOTOJOURNALISM – BEST SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY

Submit a collection of up to three sports photos from the same photographer. All media compete together.

PHOTOJOURNALISM – BEST PHOTOGRAPHER

Honors an individual for excellence in photojournalism. Submit a PDF letter with links of up to 10 images with cutlines. All media compete together.

PODCAST

Enter up to three episodes (submit links) and an optional PDF cover letter. All Media compete together.

SERIES/PACKAGE/PROJECT WRITING

Up to five pieces from an individual or team on a related topic. Winners in each of Digital Only, Radio, Newspaper (Large), Newspaper (Small) and Television.

SPORTS BEAT REPORTING

A collection of up to five pieces (in any medium) from one sports reporter. Supporting letter outlining beat challenges and accomplishments recommended. All media compete together.

SPORTS REPORTING

A single story covering a particular event, team or individual. Winners in each of Digital Only, Radio, Newspaper (Large), Newspaper (Small) and Television.

FREELANCE ONLY

FREELANCE WRITING

Up to three articles in newspaper, magazine, booklet, book, trade publication, academic journal or company newsletter. All media compete together.

NEWSPAPER ONLY

PERSONAL COLUMNS/REVIEW/CRITICISM

Up to three columns, reviews or criticism pieces by a single writer. Large and Small Newspapers.

TELEVISION ONLY

BEST ANCHOR

A single piece (under 5 minutes) showcasing newscasting, interviewing, field reporting, hosting and/or associated on-air duties. Television only.

BEST NEWSCAST

One regularly scheduled newscast with commercial breaks removed. Must be under 30 minutes. Television only.

DOCUMENTARY/PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMING

A special effort on a particular topic/theme or one broadcasting of a regularly scheduled program. Does not include regularly scheduled newscasts. Entries can be up to 30 minutes (May be edited for time). Television Only.

STUDENT AWARDS

BEST NEWS COVERAGE

Include supporting letter with URLs of a major developing story over an extended time. Entry may include links to videos, text articles, screenshots/URLs of web, and social media.

CONTINUING COVERAGE

Include cover letter with URLs of a major developing story over an extended time. Entry may include on air coverage, screenshots/URLs of web, social media and news alerts.

COMMENTARY

For commentary or analysis by an individual. Judges will consider the quality of expression, clarity and originality. Submit up to three columns as one entry.

BEST FEATURE STORY

A single story (text or video or both) covering a human-interest or profile subject.

HURRICANE HELENE BREAKING COVERAGE

Up to five pieces by an individual or team and a cover letter covering breaking news coverage of the hurricane between Sept. 27 and Sept. 30, 2024.

HURRICANE HELENE IN-DEPTH COVERAGE

Include cover letter with URLs of showcasing extensive and in-depth coverage. The cover letter should include how the new organization mobilized to cover the story and the challenges it faced. Entry may include on-air coverage, video links, screenshots/URLs of web, PDFs, social media and news alerts.

BEST STUDENT JOURNALIST

A collection of up to five pieces (in any medium) from one reporter. Supporting letter outlining challenges and accomplishments recommended.

PHOTOJOURNALISM – BEST NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY

Submit a collection of up to three news photos from the same photographer.

PHOTOJOURNALISM – BEST SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY

Submit a collection of up to three sports photos from the same photographer.

PHOTOJOURNALISM – BEST PHOTOGRAPHER

Honors an individual for excellence in photojournalism. Submit a PDF letter with links of up to 10 images with cutlines.

PODCAST

Enter up to three episodes (submit links) and an optional PDF cover letter.

SPORTS BEAT REPORTING

A collection of up to five pieces (in any medium) from one sports reporter. Supporting letter outlining beat challenges and accomplishments recommended.

SPORTS REPORTING

A single story covering a particular event, team or individual.

SPECIAL AWARDS

HORACE V. WELLS JR. COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

A single article or video that demonstrates impact. In a supporting letter, state the problem or issue, the organizations’ efforts and results achieved. All media compete together. This is one of the most important awards made in the Golden Press Awards and we encourage all media organizations to enter their work.

THE GOLDEN PRESS CARD AWARD

The Golden Press Card Award is a Best of Show Award selected from First Place finishers in all categories.