The Political Whore

Short of the Pulitzer Prize, as a print journalist you want to win big awards such as the ASNE’s or the Green Eyeshade, which is given for Southeastern journalism by the Society for Professional Journalists. The St. Petersburg Times was the biggest local winner, with six awards that included two first places finishes.

While all but one of the Times‘ awards came in the print catetory, Media General’s TBO.com was dominant in the online section, winning one first place and four second places. Media General (which owns Newschannel 8 the Tampa Tribune) simply can’t compete with the better-financed Times and has chosen, instead, to put its journalistic juice into its online future.

Bay News 9 and ABC Action News won awards in the television category; Tampa Bay radio was shut out.

The Times won:

Non-Deadline News/Daily
1st: St. Petersburg Times, “Ninth or Never,” Ron Matus

Features/Daily
1st: St. Petersburg Times, “Kennel Trash,” Kelley Benham

Editorial
2nd: St. Petersburg Times, Editorials, Tim Nickens

Sports Commentary
3rd: St. Petersburg Times, Gary Shelton columns, Gary Shelton

Investigative
3rd: St. Petersburg Times, “When Dry is Wet,” Craig Pittman and Matthew Waite

In addition, the Poynter-owned Florida Trend magazine won a third place in Monthly Features for Cynthia Barnett’s “Final Frontier.”

In the television category:

Spot News
1st: Bay News 9, “Deputy’s Death,” Bay News 9 News department
3rd: Bay News 9, “Evicted,” Laurie Davison, Jonathan Haas

Continuing Coverage
2nd: ABC Action News WFTS-TV, “Quest for Everest,” Linda Hurtado, Matt McGlsshen, Walt Maciborski, John Turner

In the online division, awards went to:

Breaking News
1st: TBO.com, “Polk County Deputy Slain,” Billy Townsend, TBO.com staff

Best Use of Multimedia
2nd: TBO.com, “A Killer’s Grip,” Clarisa Gerlach, Tim Price, Tampa Tribune staff, WFLA staff

Niche Journalism
2nd: TBO.com, “Tampa’s Local Music Scene,” Ryan Bauer, Tim Price

Commentary/Blogs
1st: Tampabay.com, “Video Games as Art,” Josh Korr
2nd: TBO.com, “Suitcase Stories,” Chris Chmura

Investigative
2nd: TBO.com, “Following the Coldest Trail,” Mike Wells, Tim Price, Vidisha Priyanka

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