The Connecticut Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists hosts the Excellence in Journalism Contest each year to recognize the work of journalists in the state. The contest generally opens for professional entrants between January and February. (Note: The college contest has different deadlines, typically between April and May.)
For the 2024 contest, which will open for entries Jan. 1, 2025, and close for entries at 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2025, we have updated some of the categories. Instead of five different circulation classes or groups, you will now see only three: Small, medium and large media outlets. Some of the categories have also been streamlined in the drop-down menus.
The entries are judged by qualified journalists through a swap with SPJ chapters around the country. All entries are judged by journalists outside of Connecticut. CTSPJ judges entries from other states as part of the arrangement. If you’re interested in volunteering to help judge, please sign up for judging swaps by emailing us at spjconnecticut@gmail.com.
Organizations who help judge will get one free entry for every 10 categories they sign up to judge. Individuals will who sign up to judge will get one free entry for every two categories they sign up to judge.
Money raised from the annual Excellence in Journalism Contest supports various journalistic causes throughout the state each year, including the Connecticut Council for Freedom of Information, Connecticut Foundation for Open Government, student SPJ chapters, SPJ’s Legal Defense Fund, the SPJ Region 1 fund and CTSPJ scholarships. The money also funds administrative costs of the contest and the Connecticut Pro Chapter of SPJ.
Click here to get to the contest site.
Arts, Entertainment, Food & Leisure – A single entry dealing with the arts, entertainment, food or leisure.
Breaking News – A single story or package of stories and social media updates that involves coverage of a spot news event written under an immediate deadline. Please note if the story has been updated from the time of original publication, and if so, what updates were made.
Business – A single story on a business topic.
Continuing Coverage Or Series – A group of no more than 5 articles or broadcasts showing follow-through reporting on a single topic over time. For example, coverage of a trial or controversy. Can also be part of a formal series. Each individual may enter this category up to three times. Each article/broadcast should only be submitted once.
Courts/Crime – Any news article or broadcast dealing with issues of the criminal justice system, except for breaking news coverage.
Data Reporting – Effective use of data for reporting a single story or graphic.
Diversity Coverage – A single story or broadcast with an issue of identity, race, gender, sexual orientation or disability at its center.
Education – A single story or broadcast about educational issues, either local or statewide.
Government – Any news article or broadcast dealing with governmental issues.
Health – A single story or broadcast regarding health issues, either local or statewide.
In-Depth Local Reporting – A single general news story that helps the audience fully understand a situation and impact.
Investigative – A single story containing information obtained through reporter initiative that was not readily available to the news media or the general public.
Religion – Any news article or broadcast dealing with religious topics.
Television Spot – A single broadcast (TV) spot that shines light on an issue important to a single town or region. Entries will be judged on depth of sourcing, delivery and reporter’s ability to put the news into context for the audience.
Radio Spot – A single broadcast (radio) spot that shines light on an issue important to a single town or region. Entries will be judged on depth of sourcing, delivery and reporter’s ability to put the news into context for the audience.
Sports News Story – A single story on a sports news topic.
Sports Feature Story – A single story on a sports news topic, written for a factor other than timeliness.
Sports Column – A single column or commentary piece on a sports topic.
Editorial – A single editorial represents the opinion of the publication, station or news website as an organization. It can be written by one or more than one person.
General Column/Commentary – A single column or commentary piece (other than sports or humorous) that represents an opinion or point of view on an issue or an event.
Humorous Column/Commentary – A single column or broadcast commentary on any topic, with the purpose to entertain.
News Photo – A single photo taken for news value. All photo entries must include the photographer’s name. Any photos entered under “Staff,” “Contributed” or similar credits will be disqualified.
Feature photo – A single feature photo. All photo entries must include the photographer’s name. Any photos entered under “Staff,” “Contributed” or similar credits will be disqualified.
Sports Photo – A single sports photo. All photo entries must include the photographer’s name. Any photos entered under “Staff,” “Contributed” or similar credits will be disqualified.
Photo Essay – A collection of photos, either in print or online, that together tell one story. Any photo galleries should be entered here as well. No photos with “Staff” or “Contributed” credit will be accepted.
Video storytelling – Excellent use of video for the web or social media to either tell a story alone or bolster written reporting. (Not a TV broadcast spot).
Newspaper Layout (1-2 page spread) – This is specifically a newspaper print category. Entry can be an A1 layout + jump or a centerpiece spread. The category is for the person who arranged the text and the illustrations, not for the writers and photographers of the materials on the page. Only the layout person should be listed.
Magazine Layout (1-2 page spread) – This is specifically a print magazine category. Entry can be the cover or an inside page or spread. The category is for the person who designed the page, not for the writers and photographers of the materials on the page. Only the layout person should be listed.O
Headline – A single entry is made up of three headlines as they appeared in print or online. All three headlines must be the work of a single individual but not necessarily from the same publication. Entries involving the work of more than one person are ineligible. If submitting a PDF, please highlight the headlines to be considered. Each individual may submit up to three entries in this category. Each headline should only be entered one time.
Innovative Digital Storytelling – A story or package that uses multimedia tools – including audio, video, social media or interactive graphics – in an innovative way. In the entry, please note if the package should be viewed in mobile or web, and provide an active link to the material. Note: Social media posts from breaking news events should be submitted as part of a Breaking News submission.
Podcasting – A single podcast episode of no more than 30 minutes. Entries can be edited for length. This category is for all podcasts regardless of style, including monologues, interviews, panel discussions and edited field material. Entries should be uploaded to an online hosting site, and submitted with a URL.
Division A – Large
Any news outlet that covers more than five towns and statewide issues on a regular basis, has more resources and has a staff of more than 10 full-time reporters OR is affiliated with a larger news organization.
Example outlets for this group: Hartford Courant, Connecticut Public, CT Mirror, NBC Connecticut, WFSB, WTNH, Fox 61, News 12, and Hearst Connecticut work done for CT Insider or multiple publications.
Please note that television and radio broadcast entrants are now included in Division A (Large). Those entrants can enter links to their work into any of the applicable categories, where it will be judged alongside work from the other publications in Division A.
We have also added two categories specifically for work broadcast on TV or radio, in which you can enter work you feel specifically exemplifies the entry’s strengths within that medium.
Division B – Medium
Any news outlet that covers more than five towns and statewide issues on a regular basis, has between 5-10 full-time reporters OR is affiliated with a larger news organization. This group is for all magazines or smaller news organizations with fewer resources than those in Group A.
Example outlets for this group: Republican-American, The Day, New Britain Herald, Bristol Press, Today Magazine, Connecticut Magazine, Hartford Business Journal, CT Newsjunkie and work done for Hearst Connecticut’s daily newspapers (not CT Insider or work done for multiple HCMG papers).
C- Small
Any news organization that covers hyperlocal news only, no more than five towns, and has fewer than 5 full-time reporters.
Example outlets for this group: NewCanaanite.com, Shore Publishing weeklies, WestportNow.com, NancyOnNorwalk, Hearst CT weeklies, Valley Independent Sentinel, New Haven Independent.
As always, if a story ran in a larger publication, it must be entered in the larger group category.
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