2024 RTDNAC Awards Entry Rules

Contest Rules

• The competition is open to all stations and individuals in the following divisions:
  • Radio: All stations in North Carolina and South Carolina.
  • TV I: Stations with 20 or more full-time employees operating in these markets: Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Raleigh-Durham, Greenville-Spartanburg, Asheville and Columbia. Public television also competes in this division. Stations in these markets with fewer than 20 full-time news staff have the option to compete in Division II.
  • TV II: All other stations. News departments in these markets with news staffs of 20 or more full-time employees have the option of competing in Division I.
  • Student: Colleges and universities in either North Carolina or South Carolina.
• The entry period opens Saturday, June 1. The entry deadline is 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 23 for professionals and 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16 for students.
• Entries received after the deadline will be disqualified.
• The entry fee is $30 per entry for professionals and $15 per entry for students. Anyone entering the competition becomes a member of RTDNAC for one year, beginning Oct. 1.
• For entries to be considered in the competition, online payments must be made by the deadline. Mailed payments must be postmarked by the deadline.
• Refunds will not be issued for any reason.
• Entries must have aired between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.
• Simulcast material must be entered under the medium of origination.
• There is no dedicated category for stories covering COVID-19. Related entries should be entered in the category it best fits.
• An entry may only be submitted in one category. Entries submitted in multiple categories will be disqualified.
• A station may submit no more than two entries about the same news topic in a single category.  More than two entries about the same topic in a single category will be disqualified. (This does not apply to individual achievement awards.) 
• There is no limit on the number of entries a station or school may submit in each category.
• Unless otherwise noted, only one URL may be submitted per entry in the designated space on the online entry form. Valid URLs must be from either a station website or streaming social media site (e., YouTube, Vimeo or SoundCloud), and be set for public viewing. Entries with invalid URLs or URLs that cannot be viewed by judges will be disqualified.
• Entries with links that might require media to be downloaded to a computer (e.g., Dropbox, MP3s, WMVs, etc.) will be disqualified.
• For station awards, entries must be in the name of the station/cable/network. Up to five contributors’ names may be listed on station awards. Individual achievement awards should be in the name of the individual.
• Unless otherwise noted, any supporting material for an award entry is limited to one page.
• An entry’s total run-time should not exceed the time limit associated with each category. Entries that exceed the maximum run-time will be disqualified.
• Unless otherwise noted, entries may not be edited for any other reason other than to remove commercial breaks.
• Submitted entries – including the description and URL – may be changed only by the entrant until the deadline. No changes, including those to URLs, are allowed after the deadline.
• Judges have the discretion not to declare a first- or second-place winner.
• The identity of the judges is confidential.
• All awards are subject to the approval of the RTDNAC Board of Directors.
• Winners will be announced at the RTDNAC Convention and Awards Luncheon in the fall.
• Winners not claiming their awards at the luncheon may request their awards be shipped to them at a cost of $10 per award. Awards not claimed after three months may be discarded.
• The RTDNAC Awards Committee has the authority to interpret competition rules.

Submitting Payments

Online Credit Card Payments

Payments using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or PayPal may be made online up until the deadline using the online payment form.

Checks or Money Orders

Checks or money orders, made payable to RTDNAC, along with one copy of each email confirmation (received upon submitting the entry) must be postmarked by the deadline and mailed to:

RTDNAC Awards Entry
Elon University
2850 Campus Box
Elon, NC 27244

NOTE: Entries associated with payments not received or postmarked by the deadline will not be accepted.

Station Award Categories

Unless otherwise noted, stations may submit entries in the Radio, TV I and TV II divisions for the following categories:

• Best Newscast (TV Divisions I and II only): Submit one regularly scheduled newscast that you feel represents your best effort. State on the submission form what hour and date the newscast was broadcast and recorded. Newscasts entered must be complete and unaltered from the way that they were broadcast and recorded. No retakes allowed. Judges will consider the quality of reporting and content, news judgment, writing, delivery and technical quality. Entry limited to 30 minutes.
• Breaking News: A specific story, unscheduled and for which no prior or planning was possible. Entries will be judged on immediacy (whether broadcast live or after the event), quality of reporting, use of sound, interviews and style. Judges will be asked to keep in mind that spot news is outside the control of the broadcaster and that treatment of the individual story, rather than the nature of the story, is to be evaluated. Entry limited to 15 minutes; up to three edits may be made to allow for time.
• Community Impact: An informative story or series of stories about an issue of interest and importance to the community, presented by the station as a public service, and addressing such concerns as fire prevention, weather warnings, health issues, water safety, etc. Entry limited to 20 minutes and may be edited to meet time limit.
• Consumer/Economic: A story or series of stories that will help a consumer make choices in the marketplace and/or understand the forces that shape the marketplace. Entry limited to 10 minutes.
  
• Education: Best treatment of an educational issue presented as a story or series. Entry limited to 10 minutes.
  
• Entertainment: A story or segment that focuses on entertainment. Entry limited to 5 minutes.
• General News: A single story or combination of related stories of which planning was possible. Entry limited to a 15-minute segment.
• General News by Multimedia Journalist (TV Divisions I and II only): A single story or combination of related stories of which planning was possible and was covered by a multimedia journalist in its entirety. Entry limited to 10 minutes.
• Hard News Feature: A human-interest story that is serious in subject and tone. Entries will be judged on writing style, photography, and human qualities expressed. Entry limited to 5 minutes.
  
• Health-Medicine: Best treatment of a health or medical issue presented as a story or series. Entry limited to 10 minutes.
• Investigative: Story or series of stories on the same topic in which the reporter uncovered facts that otherwise might not have become public knowledge. Entry may be accompanied with materials outlining steps taken to prepare reports and ensure accuracy. Entry limited to 20 minutes and may be edited to meet time limit; other materials limited to two pages.
• Light Feature: A human-interest story that is light in subject and tone. Entries will be judged on writing style, photography, and human qualities expressed. Entry limited to 5 minutes.
• Long-Form Interview: This category is dedicated to issues or people who deserve more time than traditional news pieces allow. The segment could either be part of a stand-alone show or a regularly scheduled newscast. The idea is to provide more in-depth information on or about a subject.  The interview should be a single topic, non-edited interview. Entry limited to 15 minutes.
• News Special (TV Divisions I and II only): A television program outside of a regularly scheduled newscast, dealing cohesively with a single subject. Entry limited to 30 minutes and may be edited to meet time limit.
• News Website (TV Divisions I and II only): The website must be affiliated with a television news organization. The news organization’s website, as its principal functions, must disseminate timely news and information targeted for its core audiences. News content must be generated primarily by entrant, supplemented by secondary content provided by wire services or networks. The site should be of practical use to the public and maximize online technologies to inform and educate the public and enhance public debate about important daily issues.

  To be eligible for this category:

  • Submit at least five examples of functioning, cached or active URLs that demonstrate exceptional news coverage and journalistic skill. One of these must be the home page.
  • Include original content in the entry. 
  • Creativity, clarity, storytelling techniques, and use of audio, video or other Internet technologies will be considered by the judges. 
  • Include a short description.
• Original Digital Video (TV Divisions I and II only): A single story produced for a digital-only platform. Entry limited to a 10-minute segment.
• Original Web Reporting (TV Divisions I and II only): An entry covering one general news story solely for use online. Entry will include original, web-only information and sidebars, to include, but not limited to, video, attachments and graphics. Include link to the coverage. Video entries limited to 10 minutes.
• Outstanding News Operation: Entry must include a written narrative as well as video or audio highlighting a station’s best efforts of the year, including spot, investigative, weather, feature and sports reporting. Also required is a rundown and time codes for content as well a letter for the judges explaining the station’s resources, challenges overcome, major news coverage breaks or exclusives and any other reasons why it should receive the award. Video/audio entry limited to 20 minutes.
• Photography (TV Divisions I and II only): Best video photography in a single report or series. Entry limited to 10 minutes.
• Podcast (Short): A podcast that you feel represents your best efforts. Entry limited to 15 minutes.
• Podcast (Long): A podcast that you feel represents your best efforts. Entry limited to 30 minutes.
• Political/Election: Best individual story or series of stories dealing with the political process or an election. May include composite and election coverage. Entry limited to 10 minutes.
• Radio News Block (Radio Division only): Entry must include a locally produced newscast and may also include weather, sports interviews, etc. The entry must be an off-air recording of a live program with no editing or alteration. Judges will consider the quality of the overall presentation, writing, sound, information and impact. Entry limited to 15 minutes.
  
• Series: A series of stories about a single topic. Entries will be judged on presentation, relevance of topic and quality of research. Entry limited to 20 minutes and may be edited to meet time limit.
• Social Reform: Story or series of stories related to social reform.  Topics may include but are not limited to issues involving race/gender, policing of communities or other controversial matters. Entry limited to 15 minutes and may be edited to meet time limit.
• Special Report: An expanded presentation of a breaking news event or current news issue. Entry limited to 30 minutes and may be edited to meet time limit.
• Sports (Radio Division only): Best treatment of a single sports story for which planning was possible. This can be a single report or special program either outside or inside a regularly scheduled newscast or program. No play-by-play is permitted. Entry limited to 20 minutes.
• Sports Reporting (TV Divisions I and II only): Best treatment of a single sports story for which planning was possible. No play-by-play is permitted. Entry limited to 10 minutes.
• Sports Special (TV Divisions I and II only): A special program either outside or inside a regularly scheduled newscast or program. Entry limited to 30 minutes.
  
• Use of Social Media (TV Divisions I and II only): Submit a compilation of no more than five examples of how the media organization used social media to enhance, uncover or showcase news coverage.

  Submit examples through functioning, cached or active URLs. Examples are eligible from, but not limited to, social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. Judges will consider creativity, clarity, storytelling techniques and use of audio, video or other Internet technologies.

  This category is open to media organizations only, and all posts should come from social media accounts that represent the organization.

• Use of Technology (TV Divisions I and II only): Best coverage of a single story, on air or online, that includes innovative technology in the storytelling. Outside-of-the-box ideas are encouraged. Entry limited to 5 minutes for on-air stories.

Individual Achievement Award Categories

Unless otherwise noted, individuals may submit entries in the Radio, TV I and TV II divisions for the following categories:

• TV News Anchor of the Year (TV Divisions I and II): A composite achievement record for the award year. Entry must contain at least three examples of aired material for which the entrant had primary responsibility. Individual must work as an anchor on a regular basis. Entry limited to 10 minutes.
• TV News Anchor Team of the Year (TV Divisions I and II): A composite achievement record for the award year. Entry must contain at least three examples of aired material for which the team had primary responsibility. Top entries will show interaction, creativity and chemistry. Anchors must work as anchors on a regular basis. Entry limited to 10 minutes.
• TV News Investigative Reporter of the Year (TV Divisions I and II): A composite achievement record for the calendar year. Entry must contain at least three examples of investigative aired material for which the entrant had primary responsibility. Entry limited to 15 minutes.
• TV News Multimedia Journalist of the Year (TV Divisions I and II): A composite achievement record for the award year. Series of stories and live shots by a multimedia journalist or digital journalist. Stories and live shots must be shot, written and edited by the entrant. Individual must work as a multimedia journalist or digital journalist on a regular basis. Entry limited to 10 minutes.
• TV News Photographer of the Year (TV Divisions I and II): A composite achievement record for the award year. Entry must contain at least three examples of aired material for which the entrant had primary responsibility. Individual must work as a photographer on a regular basis. Entry limited to 10 minutes.
• TV News Producer of the Year (TV Divisions I and II): A composite achievement record for the award year. Entry should contain a full newscast or three examples of aired material, either for which the entrant had primary responsibility. Individual must work as a producer in on a regular basis. Entry limited to 20 minutes.
• Radio Reporter of the Year (Radio Division): A composite achievement record for the award year. Entry must contain at least three examples of aired material for which the entrant had primary responsibility. Individual must work as a reporter on a regular basis. Entry limited to 15 minutes.
• TV News Reporter of the Year (TV Divisions I and II): A composite achievement record for the award year. Entry must contain at least three examples of aired material for which the entrant had primary responsibility. Individual must work as a reporter on a regular basis. Entry limited to 15 minutes.
• TV News Special Projects Producer (TV Divisions I and II): A composite achievement record for the calendar year. Entry should contain at least three examples of aired material, for which the entrant had primary responsibility as special projects producer. Entry limited to 20 minutes.
• TV Sportscaster of the Year (TV Divisions I and II): One sportscast that you feel represents your best effort. Entry must be complete and unaltered from the way it was broadcast and recorded. No retakes allowed. Individual must work as a sportscaster on a regular basis. Entry limited to 15 minutes.
• TV Weathercaster of the Year (TV Divisions I and II): Submit one weathercast from the award year that you feel represents your best effort during the award year. Entry must be part of a regularly scheduled newscast (not continuing coverage). Entry form must include the hour and date the weathercast was broadcast and recorded. Weathercasts entered must be complete and unaltered from the way they were broadcast and recorded. No retakes allowed. Individual must work as a weathercaster on a regular basis. Entry limited to 20 minutes.
• Margaret Murchison News Director of the Year: The Margaret Murchison News Director of the Year award is presented to the TV or radio news director of the Carolinas who the RTDNAC Board of Directors selects from nominations and supporting documents. Any person who has served as a news director in the Carolinas during the award year is eligible. Nominations must be made by someone other than the news director. Supporting letters and other materials are encouraged. There is no entry fee.

AP Freedom of Information Award

The AP Freedom of Information Award recognizes the best use of public records to shed light on an important community matter and to affect public policy change.

AP will present one first- and second-place award in this category.

All TV and radio stations that are AP members are eligible.

An entry in this category should be a report, or collection of not more than five reports, produced by an individual or a team, that uses public records to shed light on an important community matter and to effect public policy change.

• A station may submit only one entry.
• Quality of reporting and writing will be considered along with the outcome or result of the reporting efforts.
• Entry may include supporting materials (explanatory note, follow-up stories) that demonstrate the results of the published or broadcast work.
• Entries must have been broadcast online or on air between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.
• Entry limited to 30 minutes.

Student Award Categories

The RTDNAC Board of Directors will judge student award entries on content and editorial quality of the entry. To level the criteria, consideration is given to the production limitations of many educational institutions.

Students may not submit an entry in these (student) categories if the piece was produced for a professional (non-student) radio or television newscast.

Unless otherwise noted, students may submit entries radio and TV entries in the categories below. TV and radio entries will be judged separately.

• Ken White Best Student Newscast: Submit one radio or television newscast produced, reported and anchored by students. They must have aired in the past year on your college or university station, cable system or another outlet. Entry limited to 30 minutes.
• Best Student News Brief:One television news brief or “cut-in” produced, reported and anchored entirely by students. The news brief must have aired on a college or university station, cable system or another outlet OR been produced in direct association with a university class.  Unscheduled special reports or breaking news “cut-ins” qualify.  If you enter a full newscast in the Ken White Best Student Newscast category, you may not enter this category. Entry limited to 10 minutes.  
• Best Student News Reporting: Submit a single radio or television report covering a hard news event, spot news or serious topic. The story can be investigative in nature. Humorous or soft-topic stories should not be submitted in this category. Report must have appeared in a regularly scheduled news program. Entry may not be entered in Feature Reporting category. Entry limited to 10 minutes.
• Best Student Feature Reporting: Submit a single radio or television report covering a human interest or profile subject that is not spot news or investigative in nature. Report must have appeared in a regularly scheduled news program. Entry may not be entered in News Reporting category. Entry limited to 10 minutes.
• Best Student Multimedia Report: Best use of video, audio, still pictures and graphics to enhance a story. The story must have appeared during a regularly scheduled news program and/or on a student news website. Entry limited to 15 minutes.
• Best Student TV News Producing: Submit one newscast that exemplifies story selection, story placement, writing, teases, and graphics. The newscast must have aired in the past year on your college or university station, cable system or another outlet. Entry limited to 20 minutes.
• Best Student TV Weathercast: Submit one weathercast that you feel represents your best effort. The weathercast must be part of a regularly scheduled newscast, not continuing coverage. State on the form accompanying the entry with hour and date the weathercast was broadcast and recorded. Weathercasts entered must be complete and unaltered from the way they were broadcast and recorded. No retakes allowed. Entry limited to 10 minutes.
• Best Student Sportscast: One radio or television sportscast that you feel represents your best effort. Sportscasts entered must be complete and unaltered from the way they were broadcast and recorded. No retakes allowed. Entry limited to 10 minutes.
• Best Student Sports Story: This radio or television story must have aired in the past year. Entry limited to 10 minutes.
• Best Student Photography: Best video photography in a single report, which must have appeared in a regularly scheduled news program. Entry limited to 10 minutes.
• Haney Howell Student Journalist of the Year: Submit best examples of an individual’s broadcast work. Entry limited to 20 minutes.