Call for Entries Opens: Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Call for Entries DEADLINE: Saturday, February 1, 2025 (11:59 PM Eastern)

Contest finalists will be announced in late February.

Awards presentation will take place Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Rosen Centre Resort in Orlando.

The fee for all professional entries is $90 per entry. Entry fees may only be paid electronically via PayPal, supported through the BetterBNC contest website.

(1) Submissions for the FABJ Broadcast Excellence Contest will be accepted beginning Wednesday, January 1, 2025. To be eligible, entries must be fully submitted - and fees paid - by Saturday, February 1, 2025 (11:59 PM Eastern). To qualify, all entries must have either: (A) aired on television/radio and/or (B) published on a station’s respective digital platforms, such as website or OTT app, as examples.

(2) All entries must have aired/published between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024.

(3) Entries must include the on-air / digital version. An entry cannot be a re-creation.

(4) The professional contest is open to current and former employees of cable, commercial television, public television, commercial radio, and/or public radio “station”: (A) in the State of Florida or (B) within a designated media market that includes portions of the State of Florida. There are no membership dues or other financial obligations required.

(5) Compilation entries should be no more than 5 stories, not exceeding the respective category’s time limit.

(6) There is no limit to the number of entries a station or individual may submit in any single category. An individual entry may be submitted in only one category; however, elements of a compilation style entry may be entered in additional categories. Example: If you submit a compilation of three stories in the “Investigative: Series” category, you may also lift one of the individual stories within that compilation to enter “Investigative: Single” or “General Assignment Report”, etc.

(7) SPANISH entries in all categories are welcome. An English transcript should be uploaded with the entry for judges.

(8) Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists’ accepts call for entries via a web-based program at: https://betternewspapercontest.com/newspapers/opencontestanthome.

(9) All PROFESSIONAL and COLLEGE entries are submitted in the same process but are two separate contests. Please ensure when you’re on the Better BNC website, that you are submitting entries in the appropriate contest: FLORIDA News Awards PROFESSIONAL 2024 (FABJ)

(10) By uploading entries, entrant is agreeing to provide FABJ the right to display, exhibit, publish, etc. your entry/content within our production needs, including publication on our website, and within gala awards program video.

(11) All entrants must use YouTube to upload entries. You will insert the YouTube link within your BetterBNC entry form. Please ensure your link is publicly accessible. If entrants are not able to submit entries with YouTube links, please reach out to FloridaNewsAwards@gmail.com for additional guidance.

(12) The decision of the judges is final. If a question is presented to the FABJ Board, the board’s decision will be final. There may not be an award given for every category. In the event there are less than a minimum number of entries received, FABJ reserves the right to combine competitions. NOTE: Please see “Judging” and “Awards” section below about restrictions on the number of names that may be placed on an entry and other relevant rules.


DIVISIONS
Commercial and Non-Commercial Public Stations in Florida:

TV I (Large Market)
Tampa / St. Pete / Sarasota
Orlando
Miami / Fort Lauderdale

TV II (Medium Market)
West Palm Beach
Jacksonville
Fort Myers / Naples
Pensacola

TV III (Small Market)
Tallahassee
Panama City
Gainesville

Radio
All commercial and public radio stations statewide



JUDGING
All entries are judged by volunteer professional broadcast journalists. Judges are not located, employed, or associated with any Florida based-newsroom.

Entries are judged based on several measures including execution and creativity, in comparison to a specific category’s description.

The FABJ Board works to ensure panels and judging assignments are fairly created based upon a judge’s experience, role, and overall expertise.

Judges are highly encouraged to provide constructive and productive feedback for entries, giving insight into their reasoning. While the Board can not always guarantee a judge will provide public comments, the Board will share feedback upon request after the awards program.

Station of the Year: The “Station of the Year” category is judged as an individual category, with submission materials reviewed by a panel of judges. The total number of entries submitted, or categories receiving a “Winner” or “Finalist” award does not factor nor influence the judging of the Station of the Year category. Final selection of “Station of the Year” is influenced by various merits, including news excellence, community outreach, and journalistic impact.

The decision of judges is final. Upon a judge’s request for further review, the FABJ Board reserves the right to have the final decision on judgements in question.

Judges may select for each category, up to 1 “Winner”, 1 “Finalist”. There may not be an award given for every category.

Click Here: How To/Submit Entries

The FABJ Board recognizes many productions take a large team to accomplish.

Entries in this contest may have up to three names, unless otherwise noted. The reasoning for this is because of space limitations on the physical awards.

If more than three people are involved in producing the work, the entry credit should be listed as the news organization as a whole.

If an entry is the work of multiple organizations/newsrooms, the individual submitting the entry should first contact FloridaNewsAwards@gmail.com.

Fees are paid per entry, not per person, therefore FABJ will provide one award per “winning” entry and one award per “finalist” entry. Additional awards may be purchased separately, directly from our vendor.

ENTRY TITLES. The entry title you submit will be the title inscribed on awards. Please know there are physical limitations, so please keep entry titles tight and concise.


PROMOTING YOUR AWARDS
A station’s promotion of winning an award must state “Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists”.

Promotional use of the word “Best” shall apply to only first-place winners. A station shall not mislead, distort or exaggerate claims of award winning.

(A) OVERALL | Station of the Year This award reflects a station’s overall news excellence, community outreach, and journalistic impact. Stations may submit an entry in the manner they feel best reflects these merits, including, but not limited to video or graphic/written portfolio.
Time Limit: 30 Minutes

Note: The “Station of the Year” category is judged as an individual category, with submission materials reviewed by a panel of judges. The total number of entries submitted, or categories receiving a “Winner” or “Finalist” award does not factor nor influence the judging of the Station of the Year category.

(B) COMMUNITY SERVICE | Station
Entry should reflect a station’s dedication to the community it serves. The entry stations should decide what to include for best overview. The entry station should highlight programming, initiatives, and related efforts. The station may showcase outreach efforts including, but not limited to mentoring programs, food drives, phone banks, etc. Any video submitted with a written summary may be a montage “sizzle reel” format.
Time Limit: 30 Minutes

(C) TELEVISION NEWSCAST | MORNING / MIDDAY
Newscasts that air between the hours of 4 a.m. and 2:59 p.m.
Time Limit: 1 Hour (Entries may be edited to remove commercial breaks)
Please include date and time of newscast.

(D) TELEVISION NEWSCAST | EVENING/NIGHT
Newscasts that air between the hours of 3 p.m. – 3:59 a.m.
Time Limit: 1 Hour (Entries may be edited to remove commercial breaks)

Please include date and time of newscast.

(E) BREAKING NEWS | STATION
On-the-scene coverage of an unscheduled breaking news story. This category recognizes broad station employee involvement and the efforts of multiple individuals (producers, anchors, reporters, etc) as opposed to “individual breaking news” entries. This can be straight coverage or a compilation of coverage of the same event.
Time Limit: 30 Minutes

(F) BREAKING NEWS | INDIVIDUAL
On-the-scene coverage of an unscheduled breaking news story. This category recognizes the achievement of an individual(s) (reporter, photographer, producer, etc.) in their individual role, as opposed to “station breaking news” category which recognizes all of the employees as a whole. Instances of multiple names allowed if, for example, it’s submitted as a Reporter+Photog team.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(G) GENERAL ASSIGNMENT
A single general assignment story that is produced and aired/published within a 24-hour period. This means the story is shot, written, edited, and aired/published within a 24-hour period.
Time Limit: 10 Minutes

(H) GENERAL ASSIGNMENT | LONG FORMAT
A single general assignment story that is produced and aired/published over the course of more than a 24-hour time-period. This means the story was shot, written, edited, and aired/published over the course of multiple days, weeks, etc. This is not a compilation of stories, but one story done over a period of time.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(I) CONTINUING COVERAGE
Continuing coverage of a single story or topic (brush fire, trial, law enforcement investigation, legislative issue, etc.). This entry can be a compilation of no more than 5 stories.
Time Limit: 20 Minutes

(J) TEAM COVERAGE
Team Coverage of a single story or topic during a breaking or non-breaking newscast. Entry materials may come from multiple newscasts across the same 24-hour period.
Time Limit: 20 Minutes

(K) INVESTIGATIVE | SINGLE STORY
An in-depth report of a single subject/topic.
Time Limit: 20 Minutes

(L) INVESTIGATIVE SERIES
A series of in-depth reports of a single subject/topic. This entry can be a compilation of no more than 5 stories.
Time Limit: 30 Minutes

(M) ECONOMIC REPORTING
Coverage of a story on finance, consumer affairs or economic topics. This entry can be a single story or a compilation up to 5 stories.
Time Limit: 20 Minutes

(N) POLITICAL REPORTING – SINGLE OR SERIES
This entry can be a single/compilation of stories or a regularly airing program/branded show related to politics, government, and/or election matters. No more than 5 stories within a compilation submission.
Time Limit: 20 Minutes

(O) POLITICAL REPORTING – STATION
A station’s overall effort covering politics, government, and/or election matters. May be a compilation of various single stories, series, and/or newscast(s).
Time Limit: 30 Minutes

(P) PUBLIC AFFAIRS / DOCUMENTARY
An in-depth special program or report which deals with an issue of public importance. Equal value in judging will be placed on quality, creativity and service to the public. One typed page of supplemental data is optional. Debates or special on a particular public affairs topic may be entered.
Time Limit: 1 Hour (Entries may be edited to remove commercial breaks)

(Q) SERIES / FRANCHISE REPORTING | HARD
A compilation of reports on similarly themed topics, issues or subjects HARD in nature.

Examples of Series/Franchise HARD reporting may include watchdog, accountability, consumer watch, government, environment, confrontational type stories and series.
Time Limit: 20 Minutes

(R) SERIES / FRANCHISE REPORTING | LIGHT
A compilation of reports on similarly themed topics, issues or subjects LIGHT in nature.

Examples of Series/Franchise LIGHT reporting may include inspirational, people doing good, destination exploration, insightful type stories and series.
Time Limit: 20 Minutes

(S) FEATURE | HARD NEWS
For excellence in a single feature that covers a singular issue, topic or subject. This feature story should be “hard news” in nature.
Time Limit: 10 Minutes

(T) FEATURE | LIGHT NEWS
For excellence in a single feature that covers a singular issue, topic or subject. This feature story should be “light news” in nature.
Time Limit: 10 Minutes

(U) FEATURE | CULTURAL / HISTORICAL
For excellence in a single feature, series or special that covers historical, cultural and/or ethnic issues or topics.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(V) HEALTH REPORTING | SINGLE OR SERIES
This entry can be a single or compilation of health impact and issue(s). No more than 5 stories within a compilation submission.
Time Limit: 20 Minutes

(W) CLIMATE / ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING | SINGLE
A single report on climate / environmental focused sciences, impact, and issue(s). May include coverage including, but not limited to issues such as climate change, recycling, waterway algae crisis, etc.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(X) CLIMATE / ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING | SERIES
A series of reports on climate / environmental focused sciences, impact, and issue(s). May include coverage including, but not limited to issues such as climate change, recycling, waterway algae crisis, etc. This entry should be a compilation of no more than 5 reports.
Time Limit: 20 Minutes

(Y) EDUCATION REPORTING | SINGLE or SERIES
A single report or series of reports on education focused impact and issue(s).
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(Z) TRANSPORTATION REPORTING | SINGLE or SERIES
A single report, or series of reports, on transportation and traffic focused impact and issue(s).
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(AA) WEATHER REPORTING | SINGLE
Any single spot or long form report on a weather-related event. This may include a mix of in-studio and field reporting of an active storm situation, storm clean up, long term weather impacts on the environment, etc, so long as meteorological impact is the focus of the story.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(BB) WEATHER REPORTING | SERIES
A compilation of reports on weather-related event(s). This may include a mix of in-studio and field reporting of an active storm situation, storm clean up, long term weather impacts on the environment, etc., so long as meteorological impact is the focus of the story.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(CC) SPORTS STORY | SINGLE OR SERIES
A single report or series of reports, on sports-related emphasis. No more than 5 stories within a compilation submission.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(DD) NATURAL STORYTELLING / “NAT PKG”
This specific television category recognizes one’s ability to tell a story without any traditional “track/narration.” This entry should tell a story using elements that include video, natural sound, interview sound, etc. For example, this type of story is traditionally done by photojournalists and multi-media journalists. Again, there is no track/narration. Entry should be of a single story.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(EE) WEBSITE / DIGITAL
Must be affiliated with a station. Purpose of the website must be to disseminate timely news and information. Entrants must generate own local news content, in addition to any content generated from providers such as wire services or networks. Entries will be judged on content, innovation, visual design and functionality. Entries will also be judged on station’s mobile app(s) and social media pages (Facebook, X, Instagram, etc.) Entries should include URL links to station’s website, social media pages and if desired an explanation of how each are utilized to enhance your station’s brand and product.

(FF) DIGITAL-BASED REPORTING
Any original reporting or programming (including video streaming, podcasting, etc.), that is developed and produced locally for a station’s website/digital platforms. “Digital” includes social media, apps, websites, OTT, etc. These are newscasts/podcasts/programs/social media posts that are published primarily for – and exclusively in its entirety – on a station’s website or associated digital platform. This should not be content that is broadcast over the air and then published online. This entry may also highlight a reporter’s ability using various social media apps in their reporting, such as Facebook Live, TikToks, X, etc.
Time Limit: 30 Minutes

(GG) COLD OPEN
A stand-alone sequence that opens a live or post-produced news/sports program. Stand-alone promos for a telecast are not eligible; the programming entered must air as part of the broadcast.

No more than 3 cold opens within a compilation submission.

Time Limit: 5 Minutes

(HH) SPORTSCAST

An anchored sports segment from within a newscast. Time limit: 30 minutes  

Individual achievement entries may include a single story, a composite of multiple stories, and/or a montage of various works. Traditional “Demo Reels” ARE acceptable, but entries should still illustrate one’s abilities in each respective category.

(A) NEWS ANCHOR or ANCHOR TEAM or HOST
For excellence from an individual anchor, anchor team, or host for a newscast or program. Entry could include examples of ability to ad-lib around breaking news events, as well as to handle regular news reports, features, etc.
This is a compilation of work.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(B) REPORTER
This individual award recognizes a reporter’s ability to cover a variety of assignments. This entry could include a montage and three examples of a reporter’s work of any kind. This category is only for reporters who regularly work with a photojournalist and do not regularly shoot and edit their own stories.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(C) MULTI-MEDIA REPORTER (MMJ) This individual award recognizes a reporter’s ability to cover a variety of assignments. This entry could include a montage and three examples of a reporter’s work of any kind. This category — and entries should reflect work of — multi-media journalists who often work solo, shooting, writing, and editing their own stories.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(D) WEATHERCASTER
This individual award recognizes a weathercaster’s ability to forecast and cover weather-related stories. This entry could include a full weathercast. It may also include a montage and/or in-the-field weather-related reporting.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(E) SPORTSCASTER
This individual award recognizes a sportscaster’s ability to cover a variety of sports-related assignments. This entry may include anchoring and/or reporting montage and one sports-related story.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(F) PHOTOJOURNALIST
This individual award recognizes the skills of a photojournalist. This entry will be judged based on creative storytelling techniques, composition of shots, editing and use of natural sound. Judging will focus on the skills of the photojournalist, not the reporter, producer, etc.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(G) PRODUCER
This individual award recognizes the skills of a newscast producer. This entry will be judged based on creative storytelling techniques, including visual showcasing, utilization of live elements and writing. This entry may include a single story (breaking news, investigative, etc.) or a newscast block. Judging will focus on the skills of the producer, not the anchor, reporter, etc.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(H) TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
This individual award recognizes the skills of a Technical Director. This entry will be judged based on technical aspect of a live production. This entry may include a single news block, breaking news block, continuing coverage, or newscast (with breaks edited out). Judging will focus on the skills of the director, not the anchor, reporter, etc. The director’s audio track is required for judging.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(A) OVERALL | Station of the Year This award reflects a station’s overall news excellence, community outreach, and journalistic impact. Stations may submit an entry in the manner they feel best reflects these merits, including, but not limited to video or graphic/written portfolio.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

Note: The “Station of the Year” category is judged as an individual category, with submission materials reviewed by a panel of judges. The total number of entries submitted, or categories receiving a “Winner” or “Finalist” award does not factor nor influence the judging of the Station of the Year category.

(B) RADIO NEWSCAST
Newscasts that air in any day part. Time Limit: 1 Hour (Entries may be edited to remove commercial breaks) Please include date and time of newscast.

(C) BREAKING NEWS | INDIVIDUAL OR STATION
Coverage of an unscheduled breaking news story. This can be straight coverage or a compilation of coverage of the same event. Time Limit: 30 Minutes

(D) GENERAL ASSIGNMENT
A single general assignment story that is produced for radio broadcast/publication either within a 24 hour period or over the course of more than a 24 hour time period.
Time Limit: 10 Minutes

(E) CONTINUING COVERAGE
Continuing coverage of a single story or topic (brush fire, trial, law enforcement investigation, legislative issue, etc.). This entry can be a compilation of no more than 5 stories.
Time Limit: 20 Minutes

(F) INVESTIGATIVE | SINGLE OR SERIES
An in-depth report of a single subject/topic.
Time Limit: 20 Minutes

(G) ECONOMIC REPORTING
Coverage of a story on finance, consumer affairs or economic topics. This entry can be a single story or a compilation up to 5 stories.
Time Limit: 20 Minutes

(H) POLITICAL REPORTING – SINGLE OR SERIES
This entry can be a single/compilation of stories or a regularly airing program/branded show related to politics, government, and/or election matters. No more than 5 stories within a compilation submission.
Time Limit: 20 Minutes

(I) PUBLIC AFFAIRS / DOCUMENTARY
An in-depth special program or report which deals with an issue of public importance. Equal value in judging will be placed on quality, creativity and service to the public. One typed page of supplemental data is optional. Debates or special on a particular public affairs topic may be entered.
Time Limit: 1 Hour (Entries may be edited to remove commercial breaks)

(J) SERIES / FRANCHISE REPORTING | HARD
A compilation of reports on similarly themed topics, issues or subjects HARD in nature.

Examples of Series/Franchise HARD reporting may include watchdog, accountability, consumer watch, government, environment, confrontational type stories and series.
Time Limit: 20 Minutes

(K) SERIES / FRANCHISE REPORTING | LIGHT
A compilation of reports on similarly themed topics, issues or subjects LIGHT in nature.

Examples of Series/Franchise LIGHT reporting may include inspirational, people doing good, destination exploration, insightful type stories and series.
Time Limit: 20 Minutes

(L) FEATURE | HARD NEWS
For excellence in a single feature that covers a singular issue, topic or subject. This feature story should be “hard news” in nature.
Time Limit: 10 Minutes

(M) FEATURE | LIGHT NEWS
For excellence in a single feature that covers a singular issue, topic or subject. This feature story should be “light news” in nature.
Time Limit: 10 Minutes

(N) FEATURE | CULTURAL / HISTORICAL
For excellence in a single feature, series or special that covers historical, cultural and/or ethnic issues or topics.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(O) HEALTH REPORTING | SINGLE OR SERIES
This entry can be a single or compilation of health impact and issue(s). No more than 5 stories within a compilation submission.
Time Limit: 20 Minutes

(P) CLIMATE / ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING | SINGLE or SERIES
A single report or series on climate / environmental focused sciences, impact, and issue(s). May include coverage including, but not limited to issues such as climate change, recycling, waterway algae crisis, etc.
Time Limited: 20 Minutes

(Q) EDUCATION REPORTING | SINGLE or SERIES
A single report or series of reports on education focused impact and issue(s).
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(R) TRANSPORTATION REPORTING | SINGLE or SERIES
A single report, or series of reports, on transportation and traffic focused impact and issue(s).
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(S) WEATHER REPORTING | SINGLE OR SERIES
Any single spot, long form, or series reporting on a weather-related event. This may include reporting of an active storm situation, storm clean up, long term weather impacts on the environment, etc, so long as meteorological impact is the focus of the story.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(T) SPORTS STORY | SINGLE OR SERIES
A single report or series of reports, on sports-related emphasis. No more than 5 stories within a compilation submission.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(U) NATURAL STORYTELLING / USE OF SOUND
This specific radio category recognizes one’s ability to tell a story with creative use of audio, including ambient sound, natural sound, interview sound, etc. Sound that goes beyond just a reporter track story. Entry should be of a single story.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(V) WEBSITE / DIGITAL
Must be affiliated with a station. Purpose of the website must be to disseminate timely news and information. Entrants must generate own local news content, in addition to any content generated from providers such as wire services or networks. Entries will be judged on content, innovation, visual design and functionality. Entries will also be judged on station’s mobile app(s) and social media pages (Facebook, X, Instagram, etc.) Entries should include URL links to station’s website, social media pages and if desired an explanation of how each are utilized to enhance your station’s brand and product.

(W) DIGITAL-BASED REPORTING
Any original reporting or programming (including video streaming, podcasting, etc.), that is developed and produced locally for a station’s website/digital platforms. “Digital” includes social media, apps, websites, OTT, etc. These are newscasts/podcasts/programs/social media posts that are published primarily for – and exclusively in its entirety – on a station’s website or associated digital platform. This should not be content that is broadcast over the air and then published online. This entry may also highlight a reporter’s ability using various social media apps in their reporting, such as Facebook Live, TikToks, X, etc.
Time Limit: 30 Minutes

Individual achievement entries may include a single story, a composite of multiple stories, and/or a montage of various works. “Demo Reels” ARE acceptable for these entries.

(A) NEWS ANCHOR or ANCHOR TEAM or HOST
For excellence from an individual anchor or anchor team or host for a newscast or program. Can feature compiled reports from an individual anchor or anchor team or Host. This is a compilation of work that does not have to be submitted from work performed on a contest day.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(B) REPORTER
This individual award recognizes a reporter’s ability to cover a variety of assignments.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes

(C) PRODUCER
This individual award recognizes the skills of a newscast or program producer. This entry will be judged based on creative storytelling techniques. This entry may include a single story (breaking news, investigative, etc.) or a newscast block. Judging will focus on the skills of the producer, not the anchor, reporter, etc.
Time Limit: 15 Minutes