1st Place, Breaking News Social Media Coverage
2024-25, Division 1, Digital Media and Multimedia
By Satvika Ramanathan
The Emery
Ann Arbor Huron HS
DM-01. Breaking News Social Media Coverage
Coverage of a single breaking or developing news event using social media by any MIPA member program. Entry may include a series of social media posts from multiple platforms and should include a mix of media (text, photos, video, graphics, etc.). All social media posts should be produced within 36 hours of the originating news event. While coverage may include a link to a more detailed news report on your website, key elements of the story should be told directly on social media platforms. Sports news and event coverage should be submitted in DM-04. Sports News Social Media Coverage. Gather social media posts to be considered as part of this entry so they are available at a single URL by using an online curation tool, by embedding the social media content into a web page, or by capturing screenshots of posts and including them in a presentation slide deck. Judges should be able to see all social media posts at once without clicking on any extra links. Submit a URL to the entry.
JUDGING CRITERIA
CONTENT:
- Reports as much of the who, what, where, when, why and how as possible; topic relevant to interests and/or welfare of school or students
- Mixes quality writing with the use of other media (photos, video, information graphics, etc.) to maximize use of social media platforms
- Content is original for social media; avoids summarizing website stories or republishing other materials
- Displays sound journalistic principles; shows thorough reporting skills with facts/quotes from primary and reliable secondary sources
- Does not sacrifice accuracy for the sake of timeliness
- Emphasizes news elements, i.e. timeliness, nearness, impact, and prominence
- Avoids opinion unless properly attributed
- Writing is clear, concise and vivid
- Proper diction/grammar; uses third person
- Social media platforms are used to reach, inform and engage with the audience
MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION QUALITY:
- Audio is clear; volume is consistent
- Music (if used) is appropriate for the subject matter, is not distracting and does not violate copyright
- Video is steady/not shaky
- Video exhibits best practices for B-roll: wide, medium, tight shots; limited use of pans/zooms
- Video footage is framed well; follows composition standards; is in focus with good lighting
- Text in any graphic elements is a good size, color to read
- Photo is effectively cropped to emphasize center of interest and enhance content
- Photo is technically strong:
- in focus
- proper contrast
- not too grainy or muddy
- Photographer paid attention to rules of composition; Avoids distracting back/foreground