A story that covers a planned or unplanned news event or a subject of general interest and importance. It can be spot news or a follow up or side bar to spot news. The entry should contain no music, except where it’s part of the natural sound of the story. Stories must have been shot, edited, and posted on the web within 48 hours.

A feature / human interest story or series of stories where the editor has put considerable time and effort into the production of the entry. News Features that score highly show imagination and creativity. Effects & music are allowed but not necessary.

The person recognized as Editor of the Year must show a high level of skill and professionalism.

To enter this category, submit one video tape or DVD of editing typical of your work. The chairperson will not assemble entries from other categories for this award. However, edited stories entered in other categories may also be a part of the composite entry for this category.

A story on a single topic which aired on a local or network magazine show.

If the entire show lasts more than 30 minutes, segments of that show are allowed, but those entries must not be cut-down within that segment.

Editors only. No video shot by editor is allowed in this piece.

A feature story requiring narration, airing on a newscast or special. Effects are allowed but not necessary.

Photographers may enter, but will be judged separately. Please indicate clearly whether any of this entry was photographed by the editor of this piece.

A feature story requiring narration, airing on a newscast or special. Effects are allowed but not necessary.

Photographers may enter, but will be judged separately. Please indicate clearly whether any of this entry was photographed by the editor of this piece.

Anything goes. Judging is based primarily on the Editor’s use of effects to enhance a piece. This category may include Year Enders.

This is a combined category. Editors and Photographers will be judged against each other.

A feature story requiring narration, airing on a newscast or special. Effects are allowed but not necessary.

Photographers may enter, but will be judged separately. Please indicate clearly whether any of this entry was photographed by the editor of this piece.

A feature story requiring narration, airing on a newscast or special. Effects are allowed but not necessary.

Photographers may enter, but will be judged separately. Please indicate clearly whether any of this entry was photographed by the editor of this piece.

Any story featuring a person or persons involved in a sports setting. The outcome of a specific sporting event is not required, but greater weight will be given to stories that have sports action video and focus on the competition. Effects are allowed but not necessary.

Editors and Photographers will be judged against each other.

General news coverage of a story, edited in an hour or less. File tape may be included, but may take up no more than 15% of the total length of the piece.

Editors only. No video shot by the editor is allowed in this piece.

A natural sound piece, photo essay, year ender, show open or close, without narration, in which the editor had considerable input into the production of the piece. These pieces demonstrate exceptional use of natural sound, sound bites, sound effects, and/or music. Effects are allowed but not necessary.

Photographers may enter, but will be judged separately. Please indicate clearly whether any of this entry was photographed by the editor of this piece.

Daily news coverage of an event that was shot and edited within 24 hours of that event. This category may include spot news as well as daily news stories. Simple effects (one layered dissolve, freeze frame, slow motion, color effects) are allowed but not necessary.

Photographers may enter, but will be judged separately. Please indicate clearly whether any of this entry was photographed by the editor of the piece.

Daily news coverage of an event that was shot and edited within 24 hours of that event. This category may include spot news as well as daily news stories. Simple effects (one layered dissolve, freeze frame, slow motion, color effects) are allowed but not necessary.

Photographers may enter, but will be judged separately. Please indicate clearly whether any of this entry was photographed by the editor of the piece.

A natural sound piece, photo essay, year ender, show open or close, without narration, in which the editor had considerable input into the production of the piece. These pieces demonstrate exceptional use of natural sound, sound bites, sound effects, and/or music. Effects are allowed but not necessary.

Photographers may enter, but will be judged separately. Please indicate clearly whether any of this entry was photographed by the editor of this piece.

Any story in which the outcome of a sporting event is part of the story. Effects are allowed but not necessary.

Editors and Photographers will be judged against each other.

The story must have been broadcast within 24 hours after the end of the sporting event.

An unplanned news event edited in an hour or less.

The clock for Under-Deadline editing starts with the first in point or keystroke after ingestion (if on a non-linear system), which manipulates any raw material that may end up on the final timeline, sequence, or master tape. The story must air within 24 hours of the event.

Editors only. No video shot by the editor is allowed in this piece.