Media Centre

Journalism Awards

Rules & Eligibility Requirements

Please Note:
Trade pieces will not be accepted. Awards will not be given for work primarily directed to medical and allied professions.

Selection criteria

The 2009 Awards will recognize reports focusing on women's health issues in a Canadian consumer newspaper, magazine, or broadcast report in Canada from 1 January to 31 December 2008.

Selection process

All articles and reports will be judged by a panel of women's health experts, including gynaecologists, obstetricians, midwives, family physicians, nurses and journalists.

The selection committee will evaluate each submission based on the overall merit of the entry, with an emphasis on:

Originality: The article/report was proactive rather than reactive (in response to an announcement or someone else’s story)
Creativity: The information is presented in a unique, skillful and imaginative way, with a distinctive approach or angle.
Substance of the story: The depth and quality of the research, consultation process, analysis, and presentation of the information in the article/report.
Interpretation of medical information: The ability of the journalist to present complex information and issues in layman’s terms, without compromising the scientific or professional integrity of the subject matter, and in a way that retains the interest of readers/viewers.
Quality of writing and presentation: Proper grammatical use, interesting layout of the information, and readability.
Clarity of the message: The purpose of the article/report is clear (e.g. increased awareness, change in perception or attitudes, call-to-action) and the significance of the subject matter for the reader/viewer is apparent.
Education benefit to women: Women who read/view the article/report would acquire important information to help them develop informed opinions and/or decisions.
Relevance: The information is pertinent, timely, accurate, and helps address a current issue or opportunity facing or affecting women’s health today.
Effectiveness: The article/report has the potential to catalyze national, regional, local and/or individual health priorities.

The winners will be notified by 1 May 2009. Recipients will be honoured at a ceremony that will be held during our Annual Clinical Meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia in June 2009.

Awards

A cash prize of $1,000 will be presented to the winners of both media categories (print and broadcast).

Three runners-up per category will receive honourable mentions.

Procedures for application

Submissions shall include:

Journalist contact information
An application introduction including a brief summary of the entry topic, affiliation and circulation
The electronic copy of original published entry or video/audio dealing with a women's health issue

Entries should be submited by filling out the Online Submission Form.

The submission deadline is 6 March 2009.

For more information regarding the Awards Program contact:

Chantal Sarkisian
Communications and Public Education, Journalism Awards
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC)
780 Echo Dr.
Ottawa (ON) K1S 5R7

Phone: (800) 561-2416 or (613) 730-4192 ext. 332
E-mail: csarkisian@sogc.com

Last Updated January 29, 2009