June 30, 2004
Fifth Annual Online Journalism Awards
To Enter Or Not To Enter?
Thanks to an entry on CyberJournalist, we see that the Fifth Annual Online Journalism Awards competition is about to open itself to entrants.
Now, if you browse through last year's finalists finalists (Word) and winners winners, there's no particular reason to think that PORTLAND COMMUNIQUE stands a chance. Nonetheless, there's also no particular reason not to consider entering -- except, of course, for the entry fee(s), but we'd worry about that if and when we decided to enter.
At any rate, at this very preliminary daydreaming stage, we're figuring that while we could take a stab at the General Excellence category (which "honors a Web site that successfully fulfills its editorial mission, effectively serves its audience, maximizes the use of the Web's characteristics and represents the highest journalistic standards"), it would seem that there's also an argument in favor of the Online Commentary category (which specifically says that "areas of blogging and community journalism" will be considered).
Since we're musing about the idea of entering, and since this, after all, is about online journalism -- which tends to be more interactive -- we figured we'd open this up for discussion.
Should we enter? And if so, what material published here between July 1, 2003, and June 30, 2004, might be noteworthy enough to use as the entries submitted?
Comments (9)
PDX Reporter on 30 Jun 2004
Sorry b!X, but none of those links work pal...
The One True b!X on 30 Jun 2004
That's what I'm hearing. Except that no matter how I access them, they are fine. I have no idea why people can't get through. I've tried three different ways and I get through every time.
The One True b!X on 30 Jun 2004
While I try to find out from the owners of that site why some people are being blocked from accessing it, here's some of the relevant details. In the "General" category, the site site as a whole is judged, although you can also submit three specific URLs within the site to illustrate various aspects.
Mainly, it's the "Commentary" category that I'd have to pick three pieces of mterial to submit. First thoughts on possibilities include:
Our focus on Sean Macomber.
Our controversial item on the "process distraction" issue.
And/or maybe one or more of the campaign endorsement posts.
Jonathan Dube on 30 Jun 2004
ONA launched a new site today... and some of the links are still getting migrated. You can find all the info at http://www.journalists.org or go directly to http://www.journalist.org/2004awards/archives/000017.php
Sorry for the inconvenience!
The One True b!X on 30 Jun 2004
I suspect what is happening, for those of you unable to access the ONA links, is that whatever site change is underway includes a change in DNS information. Until that finishes propagating, some of you will be accessing the wrong machine, while others of you (and me) seem to accessing the correct one. Give it a few hours, or until tomorrow.
The One True b!X on 30 Jun 2004
And for the "General" category, where in addition to the main URL you can provide a few specific URLs to highlight certain aspects of the site, I was thinking for one of them of going back to find that post on same-sex marriage which readers filled with something like 50-60 comments while I was out covering events for 12 hours straight and couldn't get online to post anything, to show community activity on the site.
Elaine of Kalilily on 01 Jul 2004
I just looked through the list of last year's winners, and it seems to me that you'd outshine them all in the categories you cited. Find a way to send in your entries!!
The One True b!X on 01 Jul 2004
Well, I have all of June to work out the specifics, so I don't have to do anything yet. Which is good, since it's that bill-juggling time of the month and I don't need to be tossing in award entry fees, too.
The One True b!X on 05 Jul 2004
The awards are now open for entries, and will be until August 5. So I've got a month to work out the $200 needed for entering in two different columns. Then again, first I have to finish cobbling together the rent, heh.
But assume that by the first week in August, I'll be posting to let people know the specifics of what I entered.