The East Tennessee SPJ chapter uses the BetterBNC contest software. It is a popular journalism contest platform and you may have used it before.

2024 Entry Categories
2024 Rules and Instructions
Enter the Contest
2023 Golden Press Card winners

The Golden Press Card Awards is a journalism competition held by the East Tennessee Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists to encourage and highlight excellence in journalism.

There are three types of users who can create and submit entries in the system: “Open Call Contestants,” who are entering on their own; “Contest Managers,” who are coordinating entries for their news organizations; and “Authorized Entrants,” users who Contest Managers have delegated to prep entries in the contest.

Notes for all entrants

Additional help not covered here is available at www.betterbncsupport.com

This platform is optimized for the Google Chrome browser; and Firefox for PC and Macintosh/Apple.

You can contact BetterBNC for help and support by going to the Help & Support page (top left corner of any page) and clicking on “Start Trouble Ticket.” On that page, you can fill out the trouble ticket form or call the number shown on the page.

If you get stuck, contact Jack Lail at ‪(865) 686-6033 or gpcawards@gmail.com.

How to enter the contest (with no media organization coordinator)

Use this option if your organization has no contest coordinator or if you prefer to pay for your contest entries.

Go to https://betternewspapercontest.com/2024-etspj

Click the blue “Contest” button.

Click “Open Call Login” in the lower left.

Click “Create your Open Call Account” in the lower right.

Fill in all information

You will see a message that a verification link has been sent to your email

Once you receive the verification link message, click on the link or copy into your browser

Complete the credentials portion

Once you see the “Credentials Updated” message, click on “Available Contests”

Select the “2023 East Tennessee Golden Press Card Awards”

Submit Entries:

On the “Manage Entries” page, click “Submit Entry”

Select the appropriate division (TELEVISION, RADIO, NEWSPAPER, STUDENT etc.)

Select the appropriate media outlet from the drop-down menu

If your publication, website or station is not on the list, you may add it

Select the appropriate category. If you need guidance, see Categories.

Complete the Headline/Title field

Based on the type of entry, add content:

Click “Next”

In the box labeled “Who should be credited for this entry” enter the names of those responsible for the entry and click “submit.” You can enter three names, but anything above that enter “staff.” Be sure to add your own name here if you are entering on your own behalf.

Add Comments (if applicable) but keep them brief (e.g. 100 words) or upload a PDF letter to the judges. The cover letter may contain links to the contest entries.

To upload digital files and attachments, follow the instructions indicated

To add web/audio/video content, copy and paste the content’s URL address into the provided website URL field. Note — there is a 20MB limit on file size. Links to videos are preferred.

Click Submit. This is your account – you can come back to it at any time during the call for entries time period

Once you have completed all your entries, click on “Entry Fee Calculator” and check to be sure all your entries are included

Please pay for your entries online by clicking on the PayPal button.

Issues: Please contact Jack Lail at ‪(865) 686-6033 or gpcawards@gmail.com.

If you are coordinating entries for your organization

Go to betternewspapercontest.com/2024-ETSPJ.

Click on the blue “Contest” button.

Make sure “Contestant Manager” is checked.

Check to see if your media outlet is listed under “Select Media Organization.” If you DO NOT see it, contact Jack Lail at gpcawards@gmail.com.

If you see your media outlet, select it and type in your password. If you DO NOT know your password, contact Jack Lail at ‪(865) 686-6033 or gpcawards@gmail.com.

Submit Entries:

On the “Manage Entries” page, click “Submit Entry”

Select the appropriate division (TELEVISION, RADIO, NEWSPAPER, STUDENT etc.)

Select the appropriate media outlet from the drop-down menu

Select the appropriate category. If you need guidance, see Categories.

Complete the Headline/Title field

Based on the type of entry, add content:

Click “Next”

In the box labeled “Who should be credited for this entry” enter the names of those responsible for the entry and click “submit.” You can enter three names, but anything above that enter “staff.” Be sure to add your own name here if you are entering on your own behalf.

Add Comments (if applicable) but keep them brief (e.g. 100 words) or upload a PDF letter to the judges.

To upload digital files and attachments, follow the instructions indicated

To add web/audio/video content, copy and paste the content’s URL address into the provided website URL field. Note — there is a 20MB limit on file size. Links to videos are preferred.

Click Submit. This is your account – you can come back to it at any time during the call for entries time period

Once you have completed all your entries, click on “Entry Fee Calculator” and check to be sure all your entries are included

Please pay for your entries online by clicking on the PayPal button

Then place your entries. When your media outlet is done placing entries, pay your bill by clicking on “Calculate Entry Fee” in the top right corner and follow the directions. You can print a receipt after you pay your fees.

If your media outlet’s website has a pay wall, please make sure your entries are available to the judges. Either make sure they are free content or submit a PDF instead. Nothing frustrates judges more than not having access to entries because they are blocked.

Coordinators may create accounts for others in their organization, called “Authorized Entrants Accounts.” You may manage all entries, including Authorized Entrants for your organization.

More help on the contest coordinator role.

Entering as an “Authorized Entrant”

Once your contest manager has sent you a create account link, create your account.

Select your Media Organization

Enter your email address

Enter your password

Click “Login”

Submit Entries:

On the “Manage Entries” page, click “Submit Entry”

Select the appropriate division (TELEVISION, RADIO, NEWSPAPER, STUDENT etc.)

Select the appropriate media outlet from the drop-down menu

Select the appropriate category. If you need guidance, see Categories.

Complete the Headline/Title field

Based on the type of entry, add content:

Click “Next”

In the box labeled “Who should be credited for this entry” enter the names of those responsible for the entry and click “submit.” You can enter three names, but anything above that enter “staff.” Be sure to add your own name here if you are entering on your own behalf.

Add Comments (if applicable) but keep them brief (e.g. 100 words) or upload a PDF letter to the judges.

To upload digital files and attachments, follow the instructions indicated

To add web/audio/video content, copy and paste the content’s URL address into the provided website URL field. Note — there is a 20MB limit on file size. Links to videos are preferred.

Click Submit. This is your account – you can come back to it at any time during the call for entries time period

The contest coordinator for your organization will complete payment and final submission.