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Your connection to industry & member news | Sept. 25, 2020
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SCPA names top daily, weekly honors
President’s Awards for Excellence:- Daily Under 10,000 Division: Index-Journal
- Daily Under 10,000-30,000 Division: The Island Packet
- Daily Over 30,000 Division: The Post and Courier
- Weekly Under 3,500 Division: The Twin-City News
- Weekly 3,500-7,500 Division: Myrtle Beach Herald
- Weekly Over 7,500 Division: Moultrie News
Daily Honors- Journalist of the Year: Tony Bartelme, The Post and Courier. Judges called this masterful explanatory writer’s body of work a force. Bartelme mixes strong watchdog journalism with elegant narratives that take readers on unforgettable journeys. His portfolio contained a bounty of work exceptional for its variety, breadth and significance. He created compelling, impactful journalism, with unmatched storytelling, detail and pacing.
- Photojournalist of the Year: Ken Ruinard, Independent Mail. This year’s judges said they had an incredibly difficult time selecting a winner because each entrant submitted outstanding collections full of individual photos capable of challenging for first place honors in competitions for best sports, feature, news and profile photo. They went back and forth among the collections over and over, and finally chose a winner based on the judging criteria. They found creativity evident in “Shades of Graduation,” “Lake” and “Fireworks;” relevance in “Grad” and “Hugging;” and impact in “Dunk” and “Cheer.”
- First Place Assertive Journalism Award: Joseph Cranney, The Post and Courier. Judges said Cranney’s coverage was incredibly strong with clean writing, good storytelling and extensive research. Every time he hit a dead end, he found a way to keep going. In a strong class of entries, this nominee stood out for his courage and persistence. Important, impactful work.
- Honorable Mention Assertive Journalism Award: Matthew Hensley, Adam Benson and Richard Whiting, Index-Journal. Staff should be commended for their doggedness and diligence in the face of obstacles from local leaders. Thank you, Index-Journal, for not giving in or giving up.
- First Place Montgomery/Shurr FOI Award: The Post and Courier. While the sheer volume of work is impressive, so is the quality of writing, and the amount of research involved to produce these stories. Reporters are pros, paired with fabulous editors, and the pairing works. Storytelling is spot on – reading like crime novels they’re so beautifully done and well-constructed. Thank you for fighting for the public’s right to know. Outstanding knowledge and use of the FOIA.
Weekly Honors
- Journalist of the Year: Christian Boschult, Myrtle Beach Herald. Judges commended the reporter’s hard work and rich quality and depth of writing. Although his nomination packet contained many great examples of work, standout pieces include his dogged reporting, which led to Horry County Schools releasing information about a state investigation into the district’s school construction program. He also spent ten months working on “Justice Dismissed,” an investigative series on the Atlantic Beach Police Department. His reporting exposed the agency’s systematic failure to investigate serious crimes and led to the region’s top prosecutor calling for a state police investigation of the department.
- Photojournalist of the Year: Tanya Ackerman, Coastal Observer. Judges said the scenics are dynamic, with all photos displaying good tone, cropping and focus. Judges especially loved the sports flip-over frame, little drummer dude and night sky and sunrise photos.
- First Place Assertive Journalism Award and First Place Montgomery/Shurr FOI Award: Christian Boschult, Janet Morgan and Charles D. Perry, Myrtle Beach Herald. Assertive, strong reporting on a variety of topics. The Myrtle Beach Herald fought to ensure access to public records and held public officials accountable. This is watchdog reporting at its finest. Reporters did not back down in demanding details about the Horry County Schools construction project and Horry County Administrator Chris Eldridge’s separation agreement. They spent months looking into why the most serious crimes in Atlantic Beach are rarely prosecuted, and did not back down or give up when dealing with a complex web of agencies, including some that lack accountability.
- Second Place Assertive Journalism Award: Staff of The Lancaster News. Veteran reporter Greg Summers, reporter Emily Pollock and editor Brian Melton did a thorough job of tracking the issue and staying on top of it. Each piece was well written, with wonderful context, on a variety of topics. Good explanations of the strange behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Effective use of FOIA. Supporting editorials reinforced coverage.
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National Newspaper Week is Oct. 4-10 There are a ton of free promotional resources available to SCPA members for National Newspaper Week, including columns, ads, logos and cartoons.
NNW will be celebrated Oct. 4-10, and the theme is "America Needs Journalists.
We also encourage you to editorialize about your newspaper’s unique relevance to your community.
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Volunteer to judge Kentucky's News Contest Kentucky Press Association is in a bind and they need SCPA's help! They're short on judges for their annual News Contest and need 15 members to volunteer to help. Judging is all online and will start in early November. Judges will have until Thanksgiving to wrap up judging. David Thompson of KPA will be in touch with SCPA members around Oct. 16 to confirm participation. Professional members and college publication advisers/ journalism school professors are invited to participate.
Please note that this will not replace our normal judging swap in early 2021. We'll still need 50+ judges for our scheduled swap early next year.
If you have time to spare, please volunteer by letting us know what you'd like to help judge.
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Don't forget to submit your postal statement by Oct. 1
- Dailies and 2-3 Times Weekly: by Oct. 10
- Weeklies: by Oct. 31
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Member Spotlight: Anna Sharpe
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Managing Editor, The Johnsonian, Winthrop University; 2019 SCPA Collegiate Journalist of the Year in the Over 5,000 Division; 2020-2021 SCPA Foundation Mundy Scholar
What do you like best about your job?
My favorite aspect about my position at The Johnsonian is all the opportunities I've had to meet interesting people. I love to talk to people about what they are passionate about and what interests them. Working for a student newspaper lets me get connected to campus and other students in a different way than just going to class allows me to.
What is your proudest career moment?
My proudest career moment is being named Collegiate Journalist of the Year. I never ever thought that I would be able to achieve something like that, especially as a sophomore in college. I have worked extremely hard to keep the Winthrop community informed and cover important issues and it was rewarding to have my work recognized.
What's the most exciting thing going on at your paper?
COVID coverage. We have a weekly data set that tracks cases and positive rates in York County. This is critical information to students as they return to campus and they are able to rely on The Johnsonian to provide that information.
What’s your favorite SCPA member service?
It's not really a service that SCPA provides per say, but my favorite thing about being an SCPA member is how willing they are to help out student journalists. Whether it be a quick question about a story or advice, I have always been given great feedback. The SCPA also offers extensive information and assistance with FOIA, which has been very helpful in my work.
What adjustments have you made during COVID-19?
As a staff, we no longer meet in person. We meet via Zoom each week and all of our interviews and communication are done virtually. In a way, this has forced us as a staff to communicate more than ever before and keeps things running smoothly.
When it’s safe to get out and about again, what are some area attractions/restaurants in your community we shouldn’t miss?
My favorite thing about Rock Hill is the proximity to Charlotte, so I am there quite often. My absolute favorite restaurant is Rockin' Rolls Sushi Express. It has all-you-can-eat sushi on a conveyor belt. You sit at a table and as the sushi you want to eat rolls by, you just pick it up and eat it! It changed my life. There are so many different types of rolls that you can't find many places and you can try new flavors as they come by. I don't know how they have adapted to COVID, unfortunately, but once it's safe to resume life again, definitely check it out!
What is something most people don’t know about you?
Most people don't know that one of my life goals is to be a truck driver! I love driving and traveling. It's something that I would like to accomplish in my lifetime, maybe a retirement venture! I am always jealous when I see an 18-wheeler on the highway because I wish it were me behind the wheel.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work I like to play guitar and spend time with my friends, and lately I've been doing some sewing and embroidery. I like to work with my hands and produce something tangible, creative and beautiful, because sometimes I need a break from writing.
Know someone that you’d like SCPA to spotlight? Email us your recommendations.
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Editorial: We need transparency as students, journalists
Despite any roadblocks created to disrupt our accessibility to the truth, we will not stop reporting.
Last week, student journalists were told if they wanted a relationship with USC communications, they needed to contact USC public relations prior to filming COVID-19 testing on Davis Field. It is our right to pursue the facts and cover events happening in public areas.
The Student Press Law Center confirmed reporters do not need permission to film or photograph events happening within public view, even if they are of a medical nature. USC should not threaten to revoke media accessibility to preserve its own image.
The Daily Gamecock is an organization composed entirely of students. We have invested in this university — both financially and personally — and are directly affected by the actions the administration takes, whether good or bad. Our identity as students precedes our identity as journalists. As much as our newspaper is modeled after longstanding professional publications, it is also continually evolving to better reflect a diverse and changing student community — one that we are also a part of.
USC shows its commitment to a free press by allowing the very existence of our student newspaper, which is funded by both the student activity fee and our advertising revenue, but USC administrators must continue to display this commitment through their actions.
Editorial independence means that USC cannot censor what we write. While we do not seek to malign the university that we ourselves are a part of, we will present the actions and decisions of the administration with objectivity. It is not our responsibility to act as a public relations team for the university, but to share information that is factual and relevant to students.
From The Daily Gamecock | Read more
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Advertizer Herald papers closing
Bamberg’s Advertizer Herald Publishing is closing and will cease publication of its weekly newspapers in the area: the Advertizer Herald, the Santee Striper and the Holly Hill Observer.
General Manager Chasity Ayer Rice posted on Facebook, “I hate to say but the rumor going around town that The Advertizer Herald (this includes The Santee Striper & The Holly Hill Observer) is closing is sad but true. 9/30 will be our last paper.
“The owners have decided to sell or close all but 1 of their papers (all are in the upstate but The Advertizer).”
The papers are owned by Manchester, Georgia-based Trib Publications.
Johnny Kuykendall of Trib Publications confirmed the closings and said a press release would be forthcoming, but it was not available as of press time.
The late Carl Kilgus Sr. and his wife, Betty, founded Kilgus Printing Co. in 1956.
A year later, the couple established the North Trade Journal weekly newspaper in North. It has since closed.
In 1967, the Advertizer was founded and six years later, Kilgus acquired the Bamberg Herald. The two newspapers were merged to become The Advertizer Herald.
In 1987, the Kilguses started the Santee Striper weekly newspaper.
Upon Kilgus’ retirement and sale of Kilgus Printing Co. in July 1996 to Upstate Newspapers, he credited his wife for his success.
“I would never have gone anywhere without my wife,” Kilgus said. “Without the excellent relationship we’ve had, Kilgus Printing wouldn’t have been the success it was.”
From The Times and Democrat | Read more
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Index-Journal debuts Weekender edition, brings back Mon. print edition
On the heels of celebrating our 100th anniversary in 2019, the Index-Journal, like practically all businesses around the globe, has experienced unprecedented changes in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The domino effect of mandated shutdowns has impacted us all, and we are adapting to ensure we can continue to serve our community and meet the needs of our readers well into the next century.
As most of you probably know, back in the spring, we had to make the difficult decision to pause printing of the Monday and Saturday editions of the newspaper to help offset lost advertising revenue. While those editions have continued to be produced and delivered digitally, we’ve heard from many of you who miss receiving a hard copy of your community newspaper on a daily basis, and we are honored to hear how big a part the Index-Journal has in your daily routine. We appreciate how much you’ve missed us!
The current business environment is evolving, and we are evolving our publication model in response. You can once again enjoy a printed Monday edition of the Index-Journal on Oct. 5. And, beginning with the Saturday, Oct. 3 newspaper, readers will enjoy a new Index-Journal Weekender edition. Print and digital editions of the Weekender will be delivered early on Saturday mornings, complete with much of the same strong, community-minded, award winning local news and information you’re accustomed to reading in the Saturday and Sunday editions of the paper. Included in the Saturday print editions of the Weekender will be the sales inserts and coupon packages you’re accustomed to seeing on Sundays. Now, you’ll be able to get a jump start on planning your shopping trips for the week ahead.
By Mundy Burns Price, Index-Journal | Read more
Related: You'll be seeing more of us on weekends — and Monday (By Richard Whiting, Index-Journal)
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News and Press expanding coverage
With a recent change in management and a new outlook on the delivery of news in Darlington County, the News & Press is excited to announce that we are revamping our newspaper and its content effective immediately.
The first change that will be made is a change in the name to show that we want to be inclusive of all of our communities in Darlington County. The newspaper will be changing its name from News & Press to Darlington County News & Press.
"In recent years, the focus of the News & Press has been primarily Darlington. After the Herald Group took over, we began hearing from Hartsville residents requesting that they get more coverage of their community. We hear you, Hartsville, and we will be making changes to accommodate this wish," said General Manager Johnnie Daniels.
"While the Darlington County News & Press will still be covering Darlington, we are going to significantly expand our coverage of the Hartsville area," said Daniels. "We will also be asking for more news and advertising from the Society Hill, Lydia, and Lamar areas. We want to be a true county newspaper."
From the News and Press | Read more
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Hampton County Guardian sports writer dies
Greg Jones, aka “Cheech,” aka “The Tomester,” passed away suddenly on Sept. 19. Jones was known for many things - his love of family, music and his church - but perhaps made his greatest impact as a writer, storyteller and sports announcer.
Jones was the longtime “Voice of the Patriots,” announcing and covering football games and sporting events, keeping and reporting stats, and writing about the Patrick Henry Academy Patriots pigskin squad for the hometown paper, The Hampton County Guardian.
Jones’ antics in the broadcast booth made him a school legend. ...
Jones was also known as a witty and humorous writer and storyteller. For several years, his “Tomes” about family and church life were shared with friends and followers via email and then later through Facebook. Most recently, Jones wrote a college football column for The Guardian, but every so often he would find himself writing about local and national politics - all with the same unique style, voice and sense of humor.
“College football won’t be the same without Greg Jones’ witty, humorous (and occasionally right) prediction columns,” said Will Hutto, a faithful follower of his writing. “I’m thankful that technology will allow me to reread all of the wonderful things that he wrote. Because of that, for me, his voice will live forever.”
By Michael DeWitt, Hampton County Guardian | Read more
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By John Foust, Advertising Trainer
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| Lessons from other advertising sources
As a co-founder of Southwest Airlines, Herb Kelleher was focused on innovation and efficiency. According to legend, he once took his executive team to the Indianapolis 500 to study the pit crews. He wanted to see if some of their techniques could help Southwest’s ground crews reduce turnaround times at the gates.
Kelleher knew there was a lot to learn from outside sources. It’s the same in the newspaper industry. For example, let’s take a look at what can be learned from some other advertising vehicles.
1. Billboards: An outdoor sign has to grab attention immediately. As drivers pass by at highway speeds, it has one shot to attract readership. As a result, the words should be few (aim for eight words or less) and bold. And the graphic element should be big and simple.
Like billboards, newspaper ads should be easy to read at a glance.
2. Television/video: With the one-two punch of sight and sound, TV is tailor-made for the human side of storytelling. Customer testimonials are especially effective here. Newspaper advertisers can follow that example by featuring testimonials in online as well as print editions. That would strengthen campaign continuity. Read more
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| Thanks Annual Meeting Sponsors!
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The following organizations support SCPA's Virtual Meeting & Awards! Please take a moment to visit these special organizations online.
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