Edward R. Murrow Awards

RTNDA has honored outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. Murrow's pursuit of excellence in journalism embodies the spirit of the awards that carry his name.

A full list of national winners is available here.

Click here to download a high-res Murrow logo.  

Entry Requirements 

Stories must have aired between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2007, with the exception of the Website categories.

• Entries must be postmarked by January 31st, 2008. Entries postmarked after this date will be assessed a $25 late fee per entry. Entries received after February 10, 2008 will not be accepted. RTNDA will not acknowledge receipt of entries.
• We prefer you enter your awards online. It saves you time and ensures accuracy, and it helps staff deal with the number of entries.

Award Categories 
Click on the title of the category in the list to jump to its description.

Overall Excellence 

To be eligible to compete in this category, the news organization must enter the Newscast category and at least one other category. Submit a single entry that contains a copy of the program entered in the Newscast category and additional examples of spot news, continuing coverage, features, including web presence and/or other work that reflects the depth and scope of the news organization. Please put the Newscast at the end of the DVD.

• Entry may be edited (all commercials breaks must be removed).

• Voice-overs or narratives are permitted only if they were part of the original piece that aired.

• Judging will be based on the original work samples and not on the way the entry is produced.

• Entry must not exceed length of newscast plus 40 minutes.

• Radio entries MUST be on CD.

  T E S T I M O N I A L "A lot of people who climb the ladder of success find it’s been leaning against the wrong wall. We want to celebrate folks who do more than cling to the top rung and shout headlines. People like you. Enter the 2008 Edward R. Murrow and UNITY Awards. Be one of those great story tellers who shows us what we might miss, even standing next to you.” —Bob Dotson, NBC News Today Show’s three-time winner for “Television Network Writing”

• Television entries MUST be on DVD.

• A written rundown is required.

• Must have aired in 2007.

• Stations: Two copies are required.

• Networks: One copy is required.

Newscast 

Only regularly scheduled newscasts are eligible for entry, and only one entry is allowed per station (networks can submit one entry per news program.) The entry must represent the news organization's best effort at producing a newscast.

• Commercial breaks must be removed from the entry, but no other editing is allowed.
  

• Voice-overs or narratives are permitted only if they were part of the original piece that aired.
  

• Entry must not exceed 45 minutes. For news programs exceeding 45 minutes after removing commercial breaks, submit only the first 45 minutes of the program.
  

• Radio entries MUST be on CD.
  

• Television entries MUST be on DVD.

• Must have aired in 2007.

• Stations: Two copies are required.

• Networks: One copy is required.

• A written presentation is not required.

Spot News Coverage

Submit coverage of a single, unscheduled news event.

• Entry may be edited (all commercial breaks removed.)

• Voice-overs or narratives are permitted only if they were part of the original piece that aired.

• Entry must not exceed 10 minutes.

• A written presentation is not required.

• Radio entries MUST be on CD.

• Television entries MUST be on DVD.

• Must have aired in 2007.

• Stations: Two copies are required

• Networks: One copy is required

Continuing Coverage

Submit an entry showing continuing coverage of a major developing story over an extended period of time.

• Entry may be edited (all commercial breaks removed.)

• Voice-overs or narratives are permitted only if they were part of the original piece that aired.

• The entry should include at least one complete news report.

• Entry must not exceed 20 minutes.

• A written presentation is not required.

• Radio entries MUST be on CD.

• Television entries MUST be on DVD.

• Must have aired in 2007.

• Stations: Two copies are required.

• Networks: One copy is required.

Investigative Reporting

Entry must demonstrate original and outstanding journalistic enterprise on an important issue. Entry may include materials from undercover sources, demonstrate extensive research of documents and records, and include records and documentation of allegations made in the report.

• Entry may be edited (all commercial breaks removed.)

• Voice-overs or narratives are permitted only if they were part of the original piece that aired.

• A written presentation is not required.

• Entry must not exceed 20 minutes.

• Radio entries MUST be on CD.

• Television entries MUST be on DVD.

• Must have aired in 2007.

• Stations: Two copies are required.

• Networks: One copy is required.

Feature Reporting 

Submit a single report covering a human-interest or profile subject that is not breaking news or investigative in nature. Report must have appeared on a regularly scheduled news program. Entry may not be entered in the Hard News Feature category.

• Entry may be edited.

• Voice-overs or narratives are permitted only if they were part of the original piece that aired.

• A written presentation is not required.

• Entry must not exceed 10 minutes.

• Radio entries MUST be on CD.

• Television entries MUST be on DVD.

• Must have aired in 2007

• Stations: Two copies are required.

• Networks: One copy is required.

Feature: Hard News  
Submit a single report covering a hard news event or topic that is not spot news or investigative in nature. Humorous or soft-topic stories do not belong in this category. Report must have appeared on a regularly scheduled news program. Entry may not be entered in Feature Reporting category.

• Entry may be edited.

• Voice-overs or narratives are permitted only if they were part of the original piece that aired.

• A written presentation is not required.

• Entry must not exceed 10 minutes.

• Radio entries MUST be on CD.

• Television entries MUST be on DVD.

• Must have aired in 2007.

• Stations: Two copies are required.

• Networks: One copy is required.

Sports Reporting

Submit a single packaged report. Anchored sports segments within programs, stand-alone sports programs and play-by-play are not eligible.

• Entry must be unedited.

• A written presentation is not required.

• Entry must not exceed 10 minutes.

• Radio entries MUST be on CD.

• Television entries MUST be on DVD.

• Must have aired in 2007.

• Stations: Two copies are required.

• Networks: One copy is required.

News Series 

Submit coverage of a single subject reported in multiple parts.

• Entry may be edited.

• Voice-overs or narratives are permitted only if they were part of the original piece that aired.

• A written presentation is not required.

• Entry must not exceed 20 minutes.

• Radio entries MUST be on CD.

• Television entries MUST be on DVD.

• Must have aired in 2007.

• Stations: Two copies required.

• Networks: Your News Series entries will be prescreened, so please submit two copies of your entry.

News Documentary 

Submit coverage of a single subject reported in a single segment addressing a need or needs of your market.

• Entry may be not edited.

• Voice-overs or narratives are permitted only if they were part of the original piece that aired.

• There is no time limit on the entry.

• Radio entries MUST be on CD.

• Television entries MUST be on DVD.

• Must have aired in 2007.

• Stations: Two copies are required.

• Networks: Your News Documentary entries will be prescreened, so please submit two copies of your entry.

Videography

Submit a DVD showing creative use of video to tell a story on television.

• DVD must be exactly as it appeared on air.

• "Year-ender" packages are not allowed.

• Entry must not exceed 10 minutes.

• Must be on DVD.

• Must have aired in 2007.

• Stations: Two copies are required.

• Networks: One copy is required.

Use of Sound

Submit an entry showing creative use of sound to tell a story on radio.

• Entry must be exactly as it was heard on the air.

• "Year-ender" packages are not allowed.

• Entry must not exceed 10 minutes.

• Must be on CD.

• No written materials are required.

• Must have aired in 2007.

• Stations: Two copies are required.

• Networks: One copy is required.

Writing

Submit an entry that demonstrates excellence in writing that conveys the feeling and significance of events to the listener or viewer. Entry may represent an individual or collaborative effort and may include up to three examples, exactly as broadcast, dubbed onto a single CD or DVD.

• A script of each example must accompany the entry.

• Entry must not exceed 20 minutes.

• Radio entries MUST be on CD.

• Television entries MUST be on DVD.

• Must have aired in 2007.

• Stations: Two copies are required.

• Networks: One copy is required.

Website (Broadcast Affiliated)

The website must be affiliated with a radio or television news organization. The news organization's website, as its principal functions, must disseminate timely news and information targeted for its core audiences. News content must be generated primarily by entrant, supplemented by secondary content provided by wire services or networks. The site should be of practical use to the general public and maximize online technologies to inform and educate the public and enhance public debate about important daily issues. Entries will be judged on depth and quality, content, innovation, use of audio and video, visual design, functionality and interactivity, usability, and story telling techniques.

• Submit at least 5 examples of functioning, cached or active URLs that demonstrate exceptional news coverage and journalistic skill. One of these must be the home page.

• Creativity, clarity, storytelling techniques, and use of audio, video or other Internet technologies will be considered by the judges.

• No written material is required.

Website (NON-Broadcast Affiliated)

Websites must not be affiliated with a radio or television news organization. The same eligibility rules and requirements apply to broadcast and non-broadcast-affiliated entries (see above).

• Will compete in the national competition only.

• Will compete in two divisions: Small (fewer than 200,000 unique visitors a month) and Large (more than 200,000 unique visitors a month).

• Submit at least 5 examples of functioning, cached or active URLs that demonstrate exceptional news coverage and journalistic skill. One of these must be the home page.

• Creativity, clarity, storytelling techniques, and use of audio, video or other Internet technologies will be considered by the judges.

Reminders & Requirements

• Stories must have aired between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2007, with the exception of the Website categories.

• Multiple entries from the same news organization will be accepted in all categories except the Newscast and Overall Excellence categories.

• You may enter a piece in more than one category.

• Each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry form and CD/DVD. If you are submitting multiple entries in the same category, a separate CD/DVD and entry form must be submitted for each entry. The CD/DVD and its case must be labeled with the following information: organization name, contact name, phone number, category and length of cut.

• When editing is allowed, the material may be shortened but may not be altered in any other way, including chronological rearrangement.

• Voice-overs, narratives and music are permitted only if they were part of the original piece that aired.

• Time limits are strictly enforced. Any entry exceeding the time limit will be disqualified.

• Entrants may submit whatever they feel is necessary to help judges understand the nature of the entry, but this material will not be used as criteria in judging the entry.

• Non-English-language entries are welcome but must be accompanied by a written English translation or subtitles.

• An entry that does not adhere to all competition rules will be disqualified. Entrants will not be notified of disqualification, nor will entry fees be refunded.

ENTRY INFORMATION

Entry Deadline 
Electronic copies of applications, payments and materials should be postmarked no later than January 31, 2008. Materials postmarked after this date will be assessed a late fee of $25 per entry. Materials received after February 10, 2008 will not be accepted. RTNDA will not acknowledge receipt of entries.

Divisions 

Awards are given in the following divisions for radio and television:

• Small-Market Station: 51+ market*

• Large-Market Station: 1-50 market*

• Network/Syndication Service/Program Service

  *Market size is determined by MSA ranking for radio entries and by DMA ranking for television entries. The division for international entries in radio is determined by population of individuals 12 years of age and older, with stations serving populations of more than 1,462,100 judged in the large-market category. The division for international entries in television is determined by television households served, with stations serving more than 550,390 television households judged in the large-market category.

Awards are given in the following divisions for Non-Broadcast-Affiliated Websites only:

• Small: Fewer than 200,000 unique visitors per month.

• Large: More than 200,000 unique visitors per month.
  
  

Eligibility 
Entries may be submitted by individuals, stations, networks, syndication services, program services and websites. Entries without appropriate station, network or company authorization will not be accepted. The 2008 competition will include entries aired between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2007, with the exception of the Website categories. You do not have to be a member of RTNDA to enter the competition or win an award.
*To qualify for member rates on entry fees, a member of your full-time news staff must be an RTNDA member through March 1, 2008.
Not sure of your member status? E-mail membership@rtnda.org.

Disqualification 
An entry that does not follow competition rules as outlined will be disqualified. Entrants will not be notified of disqualification, nor will entry fees be refunded.

Entry Fees 

Payment for entry fees may be made by check or credit card and must accompany the entries. No exceptions. A single check may be submitted for multiple entries, but all entries must be packaged with the corresponding check and a summary list of entries.

Retention of Entries 
All entries become the property of RTNDA and will not be returned. Entrants are requested to keep copies of their entries.

Submission of Entries and Fees 
Send complete entry (including CD/DVD, written presentation, entry form/s and fees) to:

Edward R. Murrow Awards
Radio-Television News Directors Association
4121 Plank Road
#512
Fredericksburg, VA 22407

Questions?  
Contact Jane Nassiri at 202.834.1310 or awards@rtnda.org

Important Dates  

January 31, 2008: Postmark Entry Deadline

March 2008: Edward R. Murrow Regional Award winners announced

June 2008: Edward R. Murrow National Awards winners are announced

October 2008: Edward R. Murrow Awards are presented to the National winners at the RTNDA Awards Dinner in New York.

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