31st Annual MDA Broadcast Journalism Awards
Purpose
The annual MDA Broadcast Journalism Awards are presented to television stations for original programming that increases public awareness of any of the diseases targeted by MDA, stimulates public support of MDA’s efforts to conquer those disorders or demonstrates how MDA helps people affected by them. The awards were established in 1979 to recognize and encourage effective programming in MDA's behalf.
Judging Criteria
Each entry will be judged on the accuracy of MDA information and content, originality, production quality and overall presentation.
Deadline
Entries must be postmarked no later than Dec. 14, 2009. (For further details, see Rules & download the entry form.)
- No fee is required to submit entries to the
Broadcast Journalism Awards.
- Entries won’t be returned.
- Multiple entries submitted on one DVD
won't be judged.
- Entries are limited to two per category.
AWARDS
Recipients in each category are presented with awards. Some winners in each category may be featured (with station credits) on the national broadcast of the MDA Telethon.
Winners are announced prior to each year’s Telethon and may be featured in pre-Telethon production materials.
AWARDS CATEGORIES
News
Effective local news and public affairs segments throughout the year and during the Telethon season help MDA maintain its worldwide research and unparalleled programs of medical and community services.
News
Local news segments (Telethon or non-Telethon) regarding MDA services, programs, events or research news
MDA Telethon Pretapes
The Telethon is enhanced by high-quality features about individuals and families supported by MDA’s extensive services program.
Profile Feature
A feature story about someone with a neuromuscular disease, volunteers or sponsors who exemplify the true spirit of MDA, and offer education, insight and hope to the local community
Special Event Feature
A feature story about a local MDA event related to the Telethon or held during the rest of the year
Summer Camp Profile
Entries may include a profile or feature story based on an MDA client, volunteer or sponsor attending summer camp
Summer Camp Music Video
An MDA summer camp story told through music and camp footage
MDA-Funded Research, Clinic and Support Programs
MDA’s search for treatments and cures is worldwide, cutting-edge, and involves many of the brightest minds in science and medicine. In conjunction with the hope that research provides for nearly 1 million Americans affected by neuromuscular diseases, MDA offers help in the way of medical care at clinics nationwide, support groups and other vital resources.
Feature/Interview
Any segment that clearly communicates research or medical news, or the essence of scientific or medical, clinic or support programs funded by MDA. Entries may include live or taped interviews and features with MDA research grantees, medical or health professionals, and people served by MDA.
Telethon & Special Event Promos
Televised promos are key components in making viewers aware of local MDA events and the active role that volunteers play in the Association’s mission.
MDA Telethon Promo
Prebroadcast tune-in advertisement in any standard length, such as: :10; :15; :20; :30; or :60 seconds
Special Event Promo
Broadcast advertisement promoting participation in MDA events other than Telethon during the calendar year
Telethon Live Interviews, Events & Appeals
Informative and entertaining coverage of events involving celebrities and volunteers plays an important role in encouraging communities to support MDA.
MDA Telethon Live Interviews
Include interviews with any of the following: people with neuromuscular diseases, volunteers or sponsors/check presenters; should include the intro and outro of each segment
MDA Telethon Fundraising Live Appeals
Examples include: getting the phones to ring, Telethon star boards, matching pledges, supporting MDA services, advancing research, supporting local MDA events, etc.
RULES
- Entries must consist of material broadcast between Sept. 20, 2008, and Sept. 18, 2009. Additional footage posted on the Internet between these dates and intended to enhance broadcast material is eligible.
- Each entry must be submitted on an individual DVD, with a slate showing the title, category, station and city of origin at the beginning.
- Entries must NOT include:
- mentions of other nonprofit agencies
- subject matter relating to suicide
- people involved with other health agencies
- A copy of the attached entry form must be submitted with each entry.
- Entries are limited to two per category.
- Entries must be postmarked no later than Dec. 14, 2009.
TECHNICAL/ARTISTIC POINTS TO
CONSIDER WHEN SUBMITTING ENTRIES
- Intro and outro:
- Anchor/host effectiveness
- Smooth transitions between segments
- ”B-roll”:
- Appropriate use to illustrate local MDA programs,
e.g., summer camps, fundraisers, clinics
- Inclusion of material from station promotion and production element reels received from MDA National Headquarters
- Audio and visual:
- News item/feature mentions MDA
- Audio is reinforced by MDA visuals whenever
possible (T-shirts, banners, sponsor/volunteer
visual tie-ins, e.g., Harley-Davidson motorcycles,
fire trucks, MDA clinics and labs)
- When music is used, it supports the visual
message (particularly important for music videos)
- Segment includes an effective appeal to support
MDA
- Significant content elements:
- Clear content: who, what, where, why, when, how
- Creative subject matter
- Call to action: event location, local MDA telephone number, MDA toll-free telephone number — (800) FIGHT–MD
- Poignant pretaped Telethon message(s) reinforced by live appeals
Caution: Review your dubs before sending them to MDA. Poor quality dubs won't be judged. |
