CONTEST DETAILS

Below is a list of the six prize categories. Except where noted, all awards will be given in two categories: Original -- for stories/packages original to the Web; and In Collaboration -- for stories/packages done in collaboration or partnership with another medium.¹

1. General Excellence in Online Journalism -- two prizes, Original & In Collaboration with another medium.
This category honors a Web site that successfully fulfills its editorial mission, effectively serves its audience, maximizes the unique abilities of the Web and represents the highest journalistic standards. The sites will be judged on excellence of content, interactivity, multimedia, design, navigation and community tools. Entries consist of one main URL and up to 5 additional URLs.

2. Online Commentary -- one prize, Original to the Web.
This category honors a body of work by a single writer for commentary original to the Web. Topics can range from news commentary to essays, reviews, criticism, opinion and humor. The writer should display an original voice, freshness of insight and clear writing. Creative use of the medium will also be considered. Entries consist of up to 5 examples each.

3. Breaking News -- two prizes, Original & In Collaboration.
This category honors the coverage of a spot- or breaking-news event or development that displays exceptional reporting. Clear presentation and a creative use of the medium will also be considered. Entries consist of a single piece, series or package.

4. Enterprise Journalism - two prizes, Original & In Collaboration.
This category honors stories that either break news, are based on the reporters' own exclusive investigations or offer compelling and original analysis and interpretation. Clear presentation and creative use of the medium will also be considered. Entries consist of a single piece, series or package.

5. Service Journalism -- two prizes, Original & In Collaboration.
This category honors coverage of a single topic that helps users improve the quality of their lives (health, personal finance, lifestyle, education, relationships, family). Emphasis will be placed on the entry's use of interactivity, personalization and/or community tools. Entries consist of a single piece, series or package.

6. Most Creative Use of the Medium -- in two categories, Original & In Collaboration.
This award honors an entry that makes best use of content, design, navigation, multimedia, interactivity, personalization and community in telling its story and serving its users. Emphasis will be placed on compelling use of the new technologies available for storytelling. Entries may be a single story, a series or a package.

1. "Original to the Web" means the story or series was written exclusively for the Web site and are not repurposed in any way. "In Collaboration with another medium" means that editors on the Web site added value and content, interactivity or multimedia to the original content provided by the partner or co-created with the partner. (Back to text)

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