The Better Newspapers Competition website is now open for entries. Submit your entries in PDF format by visiting the OCNA BNC Competition website at OCNA BNC Contest Website.
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Dates (Mark You Calendars)
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- October 1, 2020 - Submissions Open
- October 31, 2020 - Submissions Close
- October 1, 2019 - September 30, 2020 - Your entries must have been published in this timeframe
- February 16, 2021 - OCNA will post the top three finalists in alphabetical order at www.ocna.org
- 2021 Spring Convention & Awards Gala, where we reveal the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.
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Submission Types
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- PDF - Upload PDF files for all category entries, including those you are sending to the office in hardcopy (these require front page pdf only).
- HARD COPY - The General Excellence Categories (make sure you register for them online) as well as Premier categories Best Vertical Product and Special Section must be mailed to the OCNA address below. The OCNA must receive these hard copies NO LATER THAN October 31, 2020, so mail them early. Please send to OCNA Awards, 104 Lavender Drive, Ancaster, ON, L9K 1B1. NOTE: Do not send packages to the OCNA Toronto office as it is currently closed.
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Payment
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- Now made online at the contest website, and must be done by October 31, 2020.
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| Changes for 2020 |
Active Member Changes:
- Changed Criteria: General Excellence - Newspapers are to submit either hardcopies [four (4) copies each] or a url link to the pdf e-edition copy . As E-editions are now eligible, Production Quality has been removed from the criteria.
- Changed Criteria: General Excellence - Circulation Class 2 (2,000 - 3,499) and Circulation Class 3 (3,500 - 6,499) have now been combined to make Circulation Class 2/3 (2,000 - 6,499)
- Changed Criteria: General Excellence - Sports Section criteria has been renamed Sports Coverage.
- NEW Category: Best Covid-19 Coverage - To keep readers informed, newsrooms had to make coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic a priority, even as their newsrooms temporarily closed and staff worked from home. Entries in this category should consist of a single or series of LOCAL articles (max of 3) relating to the pandemic. Judging will be based on relevance to the community, quality of reporting/writing and initiative/originality. **Entries in this category cannot be entered in the Best News/Feature Series category or the Health & Wellness category.
- NEW Category: Diversity Coverage - Entries will recognize an article or series of articles (max of 3) that tell the stories of individuals and/or groups who have been traditionally marginalized, and/or deal with issues involving these communities. Judging will be based on relevance to the community, quality of reporting/research, quality of writing and creation of awareness/ participation.
- REMOVED Category: Best Printed Blooper
College/University Member Changes:
- Changed Criteria - General Excellence Class 8 - Newspapers are required to submit either a pdf copy or url link to the pdf copy. Entry should be made through the contest website, and should include a copy of each edition selected – one (1) issue from each semester. Fall semester – September to December 2019 and Winter semester – January to April 2020.
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2020 forms
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2020 Rules of Entry
2020 Entry Tags - General Excellence
2020 Entry Tags - Special Section Vertical Product
2020 GE Judge Guidelines - Active Members
2020 GE Judge Guidelines - College University
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If you have any questions, please contact OCNA Member Services Coordinator Karen Shardlow
- e-mail at k.shardlow@ocna.org
- by phone at 416-923-7724 ext. 4432
The OCNA is pleased to be able to recognize the passion you have for your profession and the outstanding work you produce each week! Good luck and thank you for your participation.
