2024 Student INBA Awards finalists to be announced April 8

The entry window for the 2024 Student Illinois News Broadcasters Association (SINBA) Awards has closed.

Finalists will be announced April 8 and the SINBA awards ceremony will take place on April 20 at the INBA Spring Convention in Rock Island. 

This year’s contest, which covers material broadcasted from May 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024, includes categories in both television and radio and is open to journalistic work completed by undergraduates at a college, university, commercial radio/television station, or cable outlet. 

Details on the 2024 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).