The BILL LEONARD, W2SKE, PROFESSIONAL MEDIA AWARD

This national level, annual award honors three professional journalists whose outstanding coverages in audio, video and print formats best reflect the enjoyment, importance and public service value the Amateur Radio Service (often called “ham” radio).

The Award is divided into three categories, each with its own award
a. Audio formats
b. Visual formats
c. Print and Text formats

The award is sponsored by the ARRL – the national association for Amateur Radio. Nominations are judged by members of the ARRL national PR Committee, and the final decision is made by the ARRL Board of Directors at their meeting in January 2012. The winners each receive an engraved plaque and a donation of $250 will be made in each of their names to the charity of their choice.

The deadline for nominations is December 9, 2012.

The award was created as a tribute to the late CBS News President Bill Leonard, W2SKE, an avid Amateur Radio operator.

 

Rules for Entry

1. The award is called the Bill Leonard, W2SKE, Professional Media Award.

2. Each recipient must be a professional journalist in print, electronic media or multimedia. The term "professional" refers to full time, part time, stringers, freelancers and contract journalists. In the case of a group project, the recipient may be the group, but only one prize will be awarded.

3. The recipients will receive the award based on their work which appeared in the English language and covers the topics of Amateur Radio in (a) an audio format such as broadcast radio or podcasting; (b) a visual format such as television, movie and other video media; (c) print and text format such as newspapers, news website, magazine or journal. The scope of the work nominated may be a single story or series.

The work must have appeared between December 10, 2011 and December 9, 2012 in a commercially-published book, recognized general-circulation (non-trade) daily or weekly newspaper, general or special interest magazine (except publications predominantly about Amateur Radio), commercial or public radio or television broadcast (including services delivered via cable), Internet World Wide Web site operated by a generally-recognized journalistic organization (e.g. newspaper, magazine, broadcast station or network), or multimedia format (e.g. CD-ROM), intended for and readily accessible to the general public within the United States.

4. "Amateur Radio" means the activities of licensees, clubs and other organized groups participating in the activity of licensed Amateur Radio or "ham radio," as governed by Part 97 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

5. The story must be truthful, clear and accurate, reflecting high journalistic standards. The award will be granted to the work deemed the best reflection of the enjoyment, importance and public service value of Amateur Radio. Submission may be by the author of the work, or on his or her behalf by another individual who believes the work merits the award.

6. The winner will be selected by the Public Relations Committee of the American Radio Relay League. The award will be approved by the ARRL Board of Directors at its January meeting. Individuals on the committee who may be related to or have a professional relationship with any applicant will excuse themselves from the deliberations.

7. Only one submission per entrant will be accepted. A group award will count as a single entry. Submit completed application form with appropriate work sample:

Audio format:
Submit CD with audio file(s) in mp3 format with name of candidate written on each disk.

Visual format:
Submit CD with mp4 file or DVD of the work with name of candidate written on each disk.

Print article:
Submit clear, easily readable copy of printed text, any related Web addresses, and 8.5x11 sheets displaying the writing in situ as it appeared to the public.

8. The ARRL reserves the right to withhold the awards for any reason, to grant duplicate awards, or to disqualify any entry. Incomplete nomination submissions will not be considered. All decisions are final.

9. Each of the award winners will receive a plaque and a donation in their name of $250 will go to an Internal Revenue Service 501[c](3) recognized non-profit organization of the recipient’s choosing. A winning group entry will receive a single plaque and donation.

10. Submit entries to: ARRL PR Committee, c/o Manager of Media Relations, American Radio Relay League, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.

11. Entries must be received at ARRL HQ by 5pm December 9, 2012.

For more information about the award, or to obtain a nomination form,
contact ARRL's Media & Public Relations Department, apitts@arrl.org or call 860-594-0328.