Best of Photojournalism 2008: TV News Photography: Entry Rules

This year's Best of Photojournalism News Video contest is completely free to members and non-members alike. Non-members and stations entering the Station of the Year contest no longer need to submit the $50 entry fee.

General Rules

Entries must have been originally broadcast or posted between January 1st and December 31st, 2007.
Entries will be accepted beginning January 2nd, 2008, and must be received by February 1st, 2008.
All entries must be postmarked or the shipping receipt dated prior to that time to be eligible for judging.
There is to be no re-editing of any piece.
There is no penalty to the entrant if file or historical video is used.
File video is defined as video that has previously aired in a newscast, video that originated from a network feed, and stock video that was shot previously that may or may not have already aired. File video includes surveillance video, amateur video, VNR’s, or any other video not originating with the entering photojournalist. Any questions about the use of file video will be left to the discretion of the judges.
File video may not take up more than 10% of the total story run time.
Some stories might fit in more than one category, but you may only enter any story once. Failure to follow the rule will result in the disqualification of the entry.

Registering Yourself for the Contest

Everyone must obtain an identification code to enter Best of Photojournalism 2008. Please note that:

you must register even if you entered in a previous year
you cannot simply re-use last year's entry code

Obtaining the code is easy: simply complete the online Contest Registration Form, and you will be given your unique Contest Identification Code within minutes.

Your Contest Identification Code will serve as your ‘name’ for the contest: you must register before you can fill out the Entry Form.

Note that if you are entering more than one division of the Best of Photojournalism competition (for example, Video News Photography and Web Sites), you can use the same Contest Identification Code for all divisions.

Preparing Your Entry

Tape and DVD Entries

NPPA will accept entries on Beta SP, DVCPro, or DVD. Make sure your entry plays. The chair will not be responsible for entries that won’t play.
Each entry must be on an individual tape or DVD and each tape or DVD must be submitted in its own container.
Tapes or DVDs containing more than one entry will be disqualified.
Eliminate any slate or title showing your name, station or city at the beginning of each TV entry. There should be nothing on the tape but the entry. Failure to do so will disqualify the entry. Deadline photography entries & live shots permit station reference.
Each tape should be cued so when the play button is depressed the entry material begins. (Obviously, this is not an issue for DVDs.)
The online entry form must be submitted for each entry. The confirmation page must be printed and signed, and the labels firmly attached to the outside of each entry's container and to the tape or DVD itself; if not, the entries will be disqualified. (Do not shrink the entry form!)
Individuals and/or stations submitting more than one entry may ship all entries in one box, provided each entry is separate within the shipment.
The audio channels must be mixed on the entry tape or DVD.
The chairperson will take every normal precaution in handling the entries but cannot be responsible for non-receipt, damage, or loss. Winners will be notified immediately after the judging in March.
Entry tapes and DVDs will not be returned.

Web Entries

Web entries are only accepted by a live URL that entrants must provide on their online entry form. If the URL isn’t given, or the link isn’t functioning properly at the time of the judging, the entry will be disqualified.
Web entrants should not submit a tape or DVD of their entry, but they must fill out theonline entry form, print the 'label' sheet, and mail it to the contest chair—just as they would do for a physical entry.