Alabama AP Broadcasters Association Contest
Television Rules

IMPORTANT: Please note that entries and entry fees now go to contest coordinator Chandra Clark at the University of Montevallo (address is below), NOT to the AP in Atlanta).

1. Only AAPBA members are eligible to compete. Competitors must have been a member in good standing during part of the competition year.
2. Only one first place award will be made in each station category. There will be no ties. The winner in each station award category will receive a plaque. Contributing individuals filling positions specifically designated by these rules will receive a certificate. Certificates go to all those, within a reasonable number, who participated in the news story or event. There shall be a winner in every category in which there are at least two entries.
If there is only one entry in a category, that entry should not automatically win. It will be left to the discretion of the judges whether the entry deserves to win or whether there will be no winner in that category.
3. Only one entry per station may be submitted in any STATION AWARD category.
Only one entry per person may be submitted in the INDIVIDUAL AWARD category.
A person may enter the TV contest or the Radio contest, but not both.
4. The award year will run from January 1 through December 31. Entries must be broadcast during the year to be eligible.
5. Entries should be submitted on DVD, VHS or 3/4" tape.
All entries must be exact dubs of the originals.
Each entry must be submitted on a separate DVD or tape. Where the rules refer to a tape or tapes, the use of a DVD also applies.
6. An official entry form must be submitted with each entry. Every station must also submit a separate envelope or folder containing an extra copy of ALL entry forms from that station.
Each entry form will require the News Director's signature attesting to the authenticity of the reproduced entries and duplicated scripts.
The MOST OUTSTANDING NEWS OPERATION entry form must be signed by the News Director and the General Manager.
7. All entries must be submitted in a single package postmarked no later than the third Friday in January. Send to:
Chandra Clark
The University of Montevallo
Station 6625
Montevallo, AL 35115
(Phone if need: 205-665-6625)
8. Entries will be judged according to the criteria listed separately by judges. The judges will be AP member broadcasters in another state who represent an AP association in that state. The AP will make arrangements for the judging with the approval of the AAPBA board of directors. The judges will be from a state at least one state away from Alabama geographically, if at all possible.
9. An objection to an award winner must be made in writing on the day after the awards presentation for review by the AAPBA board. The AP should be notified in order for the entry in question to be held or obtained for the AP for board review. No board member working for a station involved on either side of the challenge will be allowed to vote on it.
10. ENTRY FEES:
$ 200 .... Class A (large market _ Birmingham and Mobile and APT)
$ 200 .... Class AA (medium market_Huntsville and Montgomery)
$ 200 .... Class AAA (small market_Tuscaloosa and Dothan )
The check covering the entry fees should be made payable to Alabama AP Broadcasters Association and sent to Chandra Clark at the University of Montevallo (at the address above in 7.). Please include the check in the box of entries.

2. Best Regularly Scheduled Newscast: Entries must be any two newscasts during the announced Awards Week. The certificate goes to the producer, so the entry should include the producer's name. The designated Awards Week shall be selected by the AP staff. The week shall be one regular work week, Monday through Sunday, at any point in the year, but it will not be a week during the sweeps months of February, May, July or November. All AAPBA member stations will be notified of the exact dates in advance.
3. Best Documentary: A locally produced program using local staff, equipment and production facilities only. The program length should not exceed 30 minutes. Program may be edited to fit allotted time.

The documentary should display outstanding enterprise in the reporting of a significant social problem or issue. It should be interpretive, may use investigative reporting and may include editorial conclusion if clearly noted.
Film or tape from an outside source may be used, but the clear majority of the program must be locally produced. If any outside film or tape is used, a statement must be attached to the entry form from the News Director describing what was used, where it appeared and why.
Certificates will be awarded to positions designated by station entry as major contributors, within a reasonable number.
4. Best Series: A series of reports on a single topic. The entire series must be submitted.
Film or tape from an outside source may be used, but the clear majority of the program must be locally produced. If any outside film or tape is used, a statement must be attached to the entry form from the News Director describing what was used, where it appeared and why.
Certificates to positions designated by station entry, within a reasonable number.
5. Best Investigative Reporting: A story or series of stories of true investigative nature. A news story of any length which was part of a regularly scheduled newscast or public affairs show. Its primary information must have been discovered by a deliberate journalistic investigation. It must be more than a simple enterprise reporting of details that were surfacing anyway.
Certificates to positions designated by station entry, within a reasonable number.
6. Best "Spot" News Story: A specific, unscheduled story for which no prior or advance planning was possible. A report on a spontaneous event from the scene of action. Criteria include immediacy, content, delivery, editing , scripting, thoroughness. Does the report command and keep the viewers' attention? Does it place the viewer "at the scene"?
Certificates to positions designated by station entry, within a reasonable number.
7. Best Feature Story: A story which provides an imaginative and colorful look at a single event or individual(s).
Certificates to positions designated by station entry, within a reasonable number.
8. Best Sports Story: Outstanding coverage of a sports event or story.
Certificates to positions designated by station entry, within a reasonable number.
9. Best Sports Feature: Sports story showing outstanding enterprise, use of production techniques and presentation providing an imaginative and colorful look at a single sports event or individual(s).
Certificates to positions designated by station entry, within a reasonable number.
10. Best Sports Program: Outstanding coverage of a sports event or topic. Not to exceed 30 minutes. Entry may be edited to fit alloted time.
Certificates to positions designated by station entry, within a reasonable number.
11. Extraordinary Coverage of a Planned Event: The best, overall coverage of a single, planned news event. The program length should not exceed 30minutes. The program may be edited to fit the allotted time.
Certificates to positions designated by station entry, within a reasonable number.
12. Victor Irving Best Staff Photography: An entry must include a spot news report, a sports story, a feature story which may include news or sports, and a general assignment report. Entries must be shot by at least three different members of the station photography staff.
Certificates to positions designated by station entry, within a reasonable number.
13. Best Web Journalism: The award will recognize excellence in news reporting on a station's Website. The Website must be affiliated with a station's news organization. News content must be generated primarily by the entrant station, supplemented by secondary content from sources such as wire services or networks. Entries will be judged on content, depth and quality, creativity, functionality and usability. Entrants must submit no more than four (4) examples of functioning, cashed or active URLs that demonstrate news coverage and journalistic skill. All audio/video or other technologies will be considered. No written material is required.
Certificates to positions designated by station entry, within a reasonable number.

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