Student INBA Awards

9 months ago

The deadline for entries for the 2023 Student Illinois News Broadcasters Association (SINBA) Awards has passed.

Award finalists will be announced April 14. Winners will be announced at the Springfield convention on April 29.

Details on the categories:

Radio

OUTSTANDING HARD RADIO PROGRAM: (Hard category: Topical news) For content and production of a regularly scheduled local program that runs from 15 minutes to half an hour. It must be produced by students and transmitted on a university, college or student-operated broadcast, carrier current or closed-circuit radio station. Each institution is limited to one entry. (This award goes to an institution; NOT an individual producer)

OUTSTANDING SOFT RADIO PROGRAM: (Soft category: Sports show, interview show, magazine/feature show) For content and production of a regularly scheduled local program that runs from 15 minutes to half an hour. It must be produced by students and transmitted on a university, college or student-operated broadcast, carrier current or closed-circuit radio station. Each institution is limited to one entry. (This award goes to an institution; NOT an individual producer)

OUTSTANDING RADIO NEWSCAST: For content and production of a regularly scheduled local newscast produced by students and transmitted on a university, college or student-operated broadcast, carrier current or closed-circuit radio station. Each institution is limited to one entry. Each newscast should be no shorter than five minutes and no longer than 30 minutes. (This award goes to an institution; NOT an individual producer)

OUTSTANDING RADIO NEWS REPORTING: For individual achievement in radio news reporting that shows student enterprise, creativity, clear writing and quality production. Each entry consists of no more than four news stories. Entries should show skill in handling various kinds of stories, and can include more than one news story (like a resume tape).

OUTSTANDING RADIO SPORTS REPORTING: For individual achievement in radio news reporting of a sports story or event. Entries should show student enterprise, creativity, clear writing and quality production. Entries may include play-by-play, in-depth coverage of a sports event, sports team or sports feature. Each entry consists of a tape with no more than three sports stories or events.

OUTSTANDING RADIO SPORTS PLAY-BY-PLAY: For individual achievement in radio play-by-play of a live sports event that is transmitted on a broadcast, carrier current or closed circuit radio station. Entry should show ability to convey what is going on in the field or the court in a clear, concise, informative and colorful manner. Entries also will be judged on delivery and knowledge of the game. A student can submit entries from up to 3 games, but game clip must last no longer than 5 minutes. Students who submit play-by-play aired on different stations should specify on which station each game was broadcast.

OUTSTANDING USE OF SOUND: For individual achievement in use of sound in a radio story. Entries should show the students ability to creatively use natural sound in a news story. One story per entry.

Television

OUTSTANDING HARD TELEVISION PROGRAM: (Hard category: Topical news) Awarded for content and production of a regularly scheduled local program that runs from 15 minutes to half an hour. It must be produced by students and transmitted on a television or cable facility to a public audience. Each institution is limited to one entry. (This award goes to an institution; NOT an individual producer)

OUTSTANDING SOFT TELEVISION PROGRAM: (Soft category: Interview show, magazine/feature show) Awarded for content and production of a regularly scheduled local program that runs from 15 minutes to half an hour. It must be produced by students and transmitted on a television or cable facility to a public audience. Each institution is limited to one entry. (This award goes to an institution; NOT an individual producer)

OUTSTANDING SPORTS TELEVISION PROGRAM: Awarded for a sport show, not sportscast, running from 15 minutes to half an hour. It must be produced by students and transmitted on a television or cable facility to a public audience. Each institution is limited to one entry. (This award goes to an institution; NOT an individual producer)

OUTSTANDING TELEVISION NEWSCAST: For content and production of a regularly scheduled local newscast produced by students and transmitted on a college or university cable or television facility to a general audience. Each institution is limited to one entry. (This award goes to an institution; NOT an individual producer)

OUTSTANDING TELEVISION NEWS REPORTING: For individual achievement in television news reporting that shows student enterprise, creativity, clear writing and quality production. Each entry consists of a tape showing no more than four news stories. Entries should reflect skill in handling various kinds of stories, and can include more than one news story (like a resume tape).

OUTSTANDING TELEVISION SPORTS REPORTING: For individual achievement in television news reporting of a sports story or event. Entries should show student enterprise, creativity, clear writing and quality production. Entries may include television play-by-play, in-depth coverage of a sports event, sports team or sports feature. Each entry consists of a tape showing no more than four sports stories or events.

OUTSTANDING TELEVISION PHOTOGRAPHY: For individual achievement in television news photography that shows student creativity, enterprise, editing ability and mastery of photojournalism techniques. Each entry consists of a tape showing no more than three news stories. Stories should include examples of hard news as well as features and photo essays. (May include sports).

Tags: SINBA Awards

Brian O'Keefe

News Director (Retired), WDCB radio, Glen Ellyn

One of the greatest benefits for me has been getting to see and know other parts of the state. I’m not from Illinois and traveling to spring and fall conventions over the years has transformed dots on a map to memories of places that enhance my story telling process.

Nora Baldner

Professor; Quincy University

The support INBA gives to student journalists is vitally important as we all discover how technology is changing news dissemination, INBA monitors and actively encourages truth, transparency and accountability from students and their universities.

Andrew Tanielian

Freelance Video Journalist

INBA taught me how to network in a meaningful way. The scholarship process taught me how to endure a hard job interview and thrive.

Molly Jirasek

News Nation, WGN America Chicago

One of my top goals in my career was to get to Chicago. Thanks to INBA I met Margaret Larkin. She remembered our great conversations about Chicago and first alerted me to a job opening in the city I might be interested in. Lo and behold, I got that job! INBA helped me reach my dream.

Mike Miletich

Broadcast journalist, Springfield

Joining the INBA was one of my best life decisions. I met some of the best broadcast journalists while I was still a college student. Plus, I ended up getting a job through the connections I made!

Alexis McAdams

Fox News National Correspondent

INBA played a huge part in preparing me for my broadcasting career. The INBA conventions connect students with on-air talent and news directors who give feedback on now to improve your work. Through relationships I made at those conventions, I was able to obtain my first on air reporting job.

Michelle Eccles McLaughlin

Public Relations Account Manager; Horace Mann Insurance

INBA is an organization that really caters to continuing education for professionals. It offers a relatively inexpensive way to learn new things, reinforce best practices and network.

Jennifer Fuller

Associate Director for News and Public Affairs, WSIU

INBA is not only a great networking tool, it also provides advocacy and support for journalists in an ever-changing world.

Bob Roberts

Retired, WBBM-AM, Chicago

INBA is as much about friendship and as it is about achieving common goals. It provides two things individual newsrooms cannot: in-service training, and the ability to speak out on issues affecting the profession. But most of all, it brings newspeople together.

Aaron Eades

Producer at Spectrum News 13, Orlando, FL; Former Morning Anchor at WCIA-TV, Champaign

As a student, it's often difficult to picture what working in the real world will be like. For me, the INBA bridged that gap by giving me the chance to talk to professionals who used to be in the same shoes I'm in now.

Jeff Bossert

Morning Edition Host; WVTF, Roanoke, Virginia

When I was working in radio for the first time, I had no idea whether I could truly handle the demands. But INBA made me curious and want to improve. Even now, when I’ve maybe worked a lot of hours or planned some stories that didn’t come together for one reason or another, what I learn from an INBA conference gets me re-invigorated about the business.

Ryan Denham

Digital Content Director, WGLT (Normal)

I recently attended my first INBA conference—and it won’t be my last. The combination of professional and student journalists learning together is electric. Everyone learns from each other and walks away with new friends (and LinkedIn connections). I know I did.