This category is designed to recognise the skilful way in which a specific news story / event has been handled by a station for its target audience.
Judges will look at the breaking, follow through and onward development of whichever story / event entrants select.
Judges will look at the approach adopted to the story/event including scripting, use of actuality and delivery in the context of the target audience. All forms of audio are eligible including; interviews, news bulletins and reports.
Who Can Enter
Entries can be made by licensed analogue and digital terrestrial commercial and public service radio stations operating on the island of Ireland. Entries must have originated from and been first broadcast on the island of Ireland.
Independent radio producers are eligible to enter but must present proof of transmission by the relevant qualifying station. In addition to the maximum of 5 entries which each station is permitted to submit in each category, independent producers may submit one entry per category on the payment of the €100 euro entry fee. Proof of broadcast from a qualifying station must be submitted with all independent entries.
Your nominated Station Manager will receive an automated email and will be required to sign off each entry before this is eligible to be put forward for Judging.
Entry Requirements and Conditions of Entry
The programme from which your entry is extracted must have been first broadcast within the validity period: 1st June 2022 – 31st May 2023.
Entries should consist of a compilation of news bulletins or other items in transmission sequence (not necessarily continuous). There should be a minimum of 4 extracts. The duration should not exceed 20 minutes.
No other editing is permitted and all other programme material should be included in full. For example you are NOT permitted to take the first three minutes of an interview, fade down and then include a further piece from that same interview. You may either include one excerpt from the interview or the entire interview, should it fall within the time allowed for that entry. Please go to the rules and read carefully all the rules relating to the Submission of Broadcast Material .
Extracts must be separated with a 2 seconds dead air, so that Judges will understand where each extract ends and the next one begins. You will be asked to complete the running order of extracts on the entry form.
Additional post-production audio material such as voice links, introductions or sign-offs are not permitted i.e. do not use voice links, stings, music beds or other post-produced elements. Judges are specifically instructed to disqualify should this occur.
The entry must be supported by a 250 word paragraph and a detailed running order to accompany the audio entry. The online entry form is designed to only permit a maximum of 250 words.
Each entry costs €100 plus processing fees. Every fourth entry is free.
How Do I Enter This Category?
Once you have read all the entry requirements and conditions of entry for this category, and have finalised your audio entry, go to Enter Online and register (if you haven’t already done so). Then complete the entry form for this category and upload your audio entry. Click on Save to Later. This allows you to edit, print draft copies, delete or update your entry right up to the closing date (5pm on 29th June 2023).
Please ensure you have uploaded and completed all the required fields and hit submit. You will receive an automated email confirming your submission has been received.
The audio entry should be contained in one MP3 file of no more than 55MB in size.
Judging Criteria for this Category
Judges will look at the following criteria with marks equally split;
Presentation: Does the presenter appear knowledgeable and well-rehearsed? Is it polished and professional?
Production: This relates to the technical side of the entry, the production process itself. Is the chosen piece well-produced? Is quality evident?
Creativity: Judges will be looking for innovation, originality and novelty.
Value to the Listener: Does it connect with the audience ? Does it entertain? Does it achieve its purpose?
