Larry Weiss Award

With the generous support of local business leader Larry Weiss, the Center for Public Interest Journalism (CPIJ) has established an award to recognize the best investigative journalism in the Delaware Valley. The Larry Weiss Award for Investigative Journalism, open to journalism of any medium (print, broadcast or online) produced in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, South Jersey or Delaware, will include one top prize of $10,000 and two “special recognition” prizes of $2,500. There is no fee for submission.

Read the full press release here.

The award is intended to encourage original, enterprising, deeply reported and revelatory news coverage that has had significant impact on the Philadelphia, South Jersey and Delaware communities, particularly stories that generated an increased public awareness about an under recognized social problem; malfeasance in local or state government; waste, fraud and abuse in government agencies or business; or other issues related to advancing the public good.

The awards will be presented at a luncheon at WHYY studios in Philadelphia on Thursday, April 19, 2012.

Entries must be investigative journalism — not advocacy, editorials or opinion. Entries can be in any medium, i.e. print (dailies, weeklies, magazines, etc.), broadcast (TV, radio) or online. Single stories or series are eligible (a story may include text, photos, audio, video and/or graphics). Single authors or reporting teams are eligible. Eligible stories should have been published and/or aired during 2011. The submission deadline is Feb. 15, 2012.

Guidelines

  • Entries require a hard-copy two-page nomination letter explaining origin of story and impact after publication, along with a copy of the complete story/series.
  • Awarded reporting must focus on a topic/issue in the nine-county area (Philadelphia, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, Bucks, Burlington, Glouster, Camden, Atlantic), and three Delaware counties (New Castle, Kent, and Sussex) served by WHYY.
  • Reporter(s), including photographers, substantially involved in the production of the story may apply. In the case of broadcast reporting, producers may be involved and apply. Publishers, media properties, may be acknowledged in award announcements.
  • Teams may comprise news organizations based in the region while partnering with another, non-local, news organization. Both may be recognized, but lead organization reporter(s) receives honor.
  • Self-nominations are allowed.
  • Support letters are allowed.
  • Award applications must detail names of any/all reporting team members if they are intended to share award.
  • Winners will be required to attend an award luncheon including a roundtable discussion on award winning stories.
  • Winning stories will be republished in an annual “Larry Weiss Award Booklet” featuring the three winning stories, i.e. the first prize and two special recognition stories.
  • Permission to reprint, rebroadcast, or webcast work without charge will be required as part of the entry package, including photos and any other associated material.

Submission Details:

Complete a web submission form here, or send application materials and/or questions via email or postal mail:

Email: LarryWeissAward@gmail.com

Post:    Larry Weiss Award
Center for Public Interest Journalism
School of Communications and Theater
Temple University, 334e Annenberg Hall
2020 North 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122