The Overseas Press Club has added six new Online categories for its prestigious Overseas Press Club Awards competition. In an effort to capture the momentum and excitement generated by the Internet in the reporting and interpretation of international developments, the OPC will award prizes for general excellence, best coverage of breaking news, best use of multimedia, best investigation of an international issue or event, best use of video and best commentary—to be added to the 20 categories that for more than 70 years have recognized the best international coverage in newspapers, magazines, radio, television and books.
“The Internet has become not only a defining feature of the future of global media, it has enabled a whole new universe of reporters, writers and commentators to have a voice,” says OPC president David A. Andelman. “It is time that their skills and their ideas be recognized by their peers.” The awards, being overseen by OPC Vice President and contest director Arlene Getz, editor in charge, media, of Thomson Reuters, will be presented at the annual awards gala in the ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York on Thursday April 28.
In addition to the new awards, the OPC will also for the first time allow online submission of traditional print, radio and television entries. Starting December 28, an online awards application page will allow for submission of all award entries and payment. Deadline for submission is January 28.
The following are the categories and a description of each:
n General excellence online
Best overall international coverage on a web site. Judges will evaluate how the site maximizes the multimedia capabilities of the web to cover key issues, how coverage goes beyond other platforms and brings the story to its readers. Up to 5 main URLs can be submitted.
- Best online coverage of breaking news
- Best use of multimedia
- Best online investigation of an international issue or event
- Best use of video
- Best online commentary (includes blogs)
Best online coverage throughout a 72-hour period of a breaking news event. Up to 5 URLS.
Best use of techniques such as interactive graphics, Flash and slideshows to report on international news or developments. Up to 5 URLS.
Best original or exclusive reporting on a major international news event for a news web site. Up to three URLs.
Excellence in original video on an international topic created specifically for a news web site. Entries can consist of a single video or up to three from a series.
Best international affairs commentary or blog. Up to three URLS.