2021 Texas Veterans Commission Excellence in Media Awards Winners

NEWS/TV CATEGORY: Erika Fernandez, KBTX – Bryan for “Local Veteran Fighting for Benefits for Family After Agent Orange Exposure”

PRINT CATEGORY: Autumn Owens, Weatherford Democrat for  “Veteran Organizations Discuss Hardships, Resources Amid COVID-19″

RADIO CATEGORY: Carson Frame, Texas Public Radio – San Antonio for “The VA is Relying More on Virtual Appointments, But Some Veterans Say the App Has Problems”

PHOTOJOURNALISM CATEGORY: Lance Winter, San Marcos Daily Record for “Homecoming”  (Click on title to view winning photo)

 

Each year the Texas Veterans Commission presents its Excellence in Media awards to recognize works in media published or presented during the preceding year that have been exemplary in researching, reporting, writing and/or production to foster public understanding on veterans’ issues. Awards seek to recognize publications and programs that meet one or more of these objectives:

  • Educate the public about the issues affecting veterans in Texas and/or their families;
  • Encourage public support for veterans’ programs or inform the public about current veterans’ program.

 

Nomination Information

Award Categories and Specific Requirements
Television includes News, Features, Entertainment, Documentary, etc.

^Entries must be submitted via a URL posted in the entry form.

Radio includes News, Features, and PSA.

^Entries may be submitted either via an email attachment, along with a completed entry form, or via a URL posted in the entry form. Clearly mark title, airing information, and running time, and delete all commercials, lead-ins, and breaks.

Print includes News, Features, etc.

Photojournalism includes a photo or series of photos used to tell a story.

Student includes print, photography, or video produced by college students at the college newspaper.

^Entries may be submitted via links, either URL to web version of story or URL to print version in pdf or another published format.

Entry and Eligibility Requirements
The Texas Veterans Commission may disqualify any submission not meeting the following entry requirements:
  • Entries must have been originally published, produced, or presented between January 1 and December 31, 2020.
  • Entries must indicate all co-producers or co-publishers, if any, involved in the development of the entry.
  • Non-English language entries accompanied by an English translation or transcript are eligible.
  • A multi-part story series is eligible but “body of work” entries are not.
  • Entries may be submitted between February 22, 2021 and April 1, 2021.
Selection Criteria
The Texas Veterans Commission established the following criteria for selecting entries:
  • extent to which entry addresses the Excellence in Media Awards’ objectives;
  • educational value of veterans’ programs or issues reported;
  • impact on, or outreach to, the public and veterans;
  • thoroughness and accuracy in presentation of issues;
  • creativity and originality in approach to subject matter and effectiveness of presentation; and
  • demonstrate technical skill in production of entry.
Notification and Awards Presentation
The Texas Veterans Commission will notify winners of the Excellence in Media Awards after Commission approval in August. It is preferred that winners be presented with the award at their workplace.
Winner Recognition
Trophies will be presented to media earning this honor. Additionally, winners will be recognized:  online via social media channels of the Texas Veterans Commission; the TVC web home page and employment web page; direct email to an audience of over 150,000 of E-Vets newsletter subscribers; and further publicity through news releases.
Disclaimer
For any entries with online content, all content must be clearly indicated and remain publicly accessible via a single URL throughout the judging period. There is no restriction on the number of entries publishers and producers may submit. Some entries, however, may be submitted in only one category. Recognizing that certain entries might be eligible under more than one category, the Texas Veterans commission reserves the right to consider entries under another category than that submitted. Please note that all entry materials become the property of the Texas Veterans Commission and will not be returned. The Commission reserves the right to not make an award in a category.
For more information, contact the Texas Veterans Commission at:

Texas Veterans Commission
P.O. Box 12277
Austin, TX 78711

Phone:
512-568-0658

Email:
comm@tvc.texas.gov