Deadline in journalism contest extended to June 30

The deadline for the National Press Club journalism contest has been extended from April 15 to June 30 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Thanks to those who have sent in entries, but the virus outbreak has had the dual effect of holding down entries and interfering with the Club's abilities to help promote it enough.

While there have certainly been some strong entries, there are not enough to properly judge the contest in these unusual times. Remember that the contest is looking for the best journalism from 2019 in areas like politics, breaking news, broadcast news, consumer news, foreign coverage, use of online news techniques and news photos.

Most of the categories have cash prizes and some offer a year of free Club membership. Details on the prizes are available online. The fee is $75 for each entry, but there is no charge for Club members.

Entrants are encouraged to use the online entry method, but if you prefer, the Club will accept mailed entries mailed  postmarked before the deadline.The most important thing is to make sure and enter your best journalism.

The National Press Club awards are intended to recognize the best in both traditional and newer forms of journalism. The competition offers journalists a chance to have their work recognized by  one of the leading journalism organizations in the country for more than a century.

The awards in the contest are: Breaking news (broadcast and print); Consumer journalism (newspapers, periodicals and broadcast); News photos; Washington regional reporting; Newsletter journalism.

Named awards are: Arthur Rowse Award for Press Criticism;  Joan M. Friedenberg Online Journalism Award; Michael Dornheim Award (for coverage of defense, aerospace or the airline industry); Lee Walczak Award for Political Analysis; Ann Cottrell Free Animal Reporting Award;  Angele Gingras Humor Award; Joseph D. Ryle Award for Excellence in Writing on the Problems of Geriatrics; Edwin M. Hood Award for Diplomatic Correspondence (for coverage of diplomatic and foreign policy issues) and the Sandy Hume Memorial Award for Excellence in Political Journalism (for reporters 34 years old and younger).

The winners will be honored at an awards dinner at the Club later this year. The date has not been set.