Civic Catalyst Newsletter
Winter 1999

Call for Entries

The deadline for entries for the 1999 James K. Batten Award for Excellence in Civic Journalism will be Tuesday, Feb. 16, 1999.

Next year's competition, for a $25,000 cash prize, is limited to news reports aired or published during the 1998 calendar year.

Eligible are team reports, broadcasts, series or accumulated bodies of work that support people's involvement in the life of their community. This can be demonstrated with work that helps residents identify problems, promotes true and careful deliberation of possible solutions, illuminates the common ground on difficult issues and advances participatory democracy in other ways.


Print entries should include:

  • Two (2) copies of tearsheets, displaying the stories to be entered.
  • In the case of a series or year-long efforts, enter no more than your 12 best days of coverage.
  • A nominating letter from an editor or reporter describing the rest of your coverage. The letter should be attached to each story packet and should describe the scope of the news reports, such as the number of stories or days of coverage. Also please discuss the genesis of the project, the techiques used to tap into the public and any impact your journalism had.
  • A copy of the completed Batten Award Application, attached to each submission.

Broadcast entries should include:

  • Two (2) copies of a one-page or less summary of your efforts.
  • A nominating letter from a news director, reporter or producer describing your project or series. The letter should be attached to each submission and should describe the scope of the news reports, such as the number of stories or town meetings. Also, please discuss the genesis of the project, the techniques used to tap into the public and any impact your journalism had.
  • A copy of the completed Batten Award Application, attached to each submission.

Television entries should also include:

  • Two copies of your entry on videotape, one BETA SP format, the other 1/2" VHS format, not to exceed 10 minutes for judging purposes. Compilations are encouraged.
  • Two videotape copies of a series, or a special report, or a program special, if available - one BETA, the other VHS - not to exceed 60 minutes.

Radio entries should also include:

  • Two copies of entry on high quality audio cassette, not to exceed 10 minutes for judging purposes. Compilations encouraged.
  • Two copies of a series, or a special report, or a program special, on high-quality audio cassette, not to exceed 60 minutes.
The 1999 winner or winners will be selected by an impartial board of journalists. Their selection will be final and not subject to review by the Pew Center for Civic Journalism or The Pew Charitable Trusts. The board shall have the discretion as to whether there will be more than one winner.

Winners will be honored at a symposium and dinner to be hosted by the Minnesota Journalism Center of the University of Minnesota, the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, KTCA-TV and Minnesota Public Radio in May, 1999.






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