The State Bar of Wisconsin established the annual Wisconsin Gavel Awards competition in 1985 to recognize outstanding coverage of the justice system by newspaper, television, radio, photography, and Web sites.

Two types of awards are presented: The Golden Gavel and the Certificate of Commendation. Golden Gavel Awards are presented for outstanding contributions to public understanding of our system of law and justice. Certificates of Commendation are presented for entries judged to be noteworthy examples of public service messages or other activities that enhance the public's understanding of the justice system.

Objectives

The Wisconsin Gavel Awards provide statewide recognition of photography, published articles, radio and television broadcasts, and Web sites that meet the following objectives:

• To foster greater public understanding of the judicial and legal system
• To inform and to educate citizens as to the roles of society, the law, the courts, law enforcement agencies, and the legal profession
• To disclose practices or procedures that improve efforts to reform and modernize our laws, courts, or law agencies statewide

Judging

The State Bar of Wisconsin Gavel Awards Judging Committee is made up of lawyers, judges, educators, and media representatives. Its members choose winning entries based on:

• Informational value and educational merit
• Creativity
• Thoroughness
• Reportorial and other technical skills
• Impact

The Judging Committee may, but need not, present Golden Gavel Awards or Certificates of Commendation in each category. The number of awards made is within the discretion of the committee.

By granting an award, the State Bar of Wisconsin does not endorse the position taken by the entrant.

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  Official Entry Form

Awards Presentation

Awards are made in the name of winning media organizations and individuals involved in creating the award-winning entry.

Awards will be presented at Wisconsin Newspaper Association and Wisconsin Broadcasters Association events.

Eligibility

Any television or radio station, newspaper, magazine, or publisher may submit entries. Beginning in 2008, a separate category for material posted originally on a Web site was created.

Entries may relate to the work of the bench, bar, law enforcement agencies, corrections institutions, or to the law itself.

Prohibitions

The competition is not open to publications or broadcast materials primarily intended for legal audiences or legal textbooks.

Materials prepared by any State Bar of Wisconsin member or staff, and members of the Wisconsin Gavel Awards Committee are ineligible.

Materials financed through the State Bar or by a grant or award from the State Bar are ineligible.

Any representation of any part of a court proceeding must comply fully with the requirements set by the jurisdiction in which the proceeding takes place. Any entries that violate the court regulations (including SCR 61.01-61.12 regarding electronic media in courts) or inconsistently represent the intent of activities will be disqualified from the competition. Entries representing simulated court proceedings need not meet this requirement.

For more information, contact the State Bar's Public Relations Director, Andrea Gage at (608) 250-6025.

Categories

1. Print Media
   1. Daily newspapers
   2. Nondaily newspapers
   3. Magazines
2. Broadcast Media
   1. Television
   2. Radio
3. Photography
   1. Daily newspapers
   2. Nondaily newspapers
   3. Magazines
4. Web site Materials
   1. Print Media
   2. Electronic Media

Entry Rules

Contestants are encouraged to submit their entries electronically (via email or CD) in a commonly-accessible file format (e.g., PDF, Microsoft Word, AVI, MP3, or jpeg) or via a web site link (e.g. www.wisbar.org/gavel.) While we will attempt to accommodate requests for alternative methods (e.g. paper copies of news articles and photographic prints), the Judging Committee will review all entries on a secure State Bar Web site. Contact the State Bar's Public Affairs Director Lisa Roys at (608) 250-6128 or by email to discuss these alternatives.

Contestants must attach a completed official entry form to their entries. If more than one entry is submitted, please complete a separate form for each entry.

Entrants or their employers must own all rights to reproduce entries in any medium without restriction. If applicable, provide signed release forms with submissions.

Entries that seek to show results of campaigns or programs to improve the law, the practice of law, the courts, law enforcement agencies, or corrections institutions, should be fully documented. Provide readers' responses or documentation of results (e.g., changes in legislation, increase in community awareness, etc.).

Contestants may submit up to five entries in each category. All entries must be submitted as aired, televised, posted, or printed.

1. Print Media

Written entries may consist of editorials, feature articles, news articles, interpretive columns, or a series of articles. Entries covering law-related current events are encouraged. The competition is not open to books or lengthy manuscripts. For each entry, please include either a link to an active article or other material on a Web site or an electronic document in PDF or Microsoft Word compatible format (via email or CD).

2. Broadcast Media

Broadcast entries may consist of editorials, news stories (may include coverage of law-related current events), documentaries, educational, or dramatic features. All entries must be submitted electronically, preferably in MP3 or AVI formats, but other commonly accessible formats may also be used. Delete all commercials and eliminate long lead-ins and breaks.

3. Photography

Awards in the still photography category may be given to entries that meet one or more of the stated criteria for print entries and/or if the photograph exhibits an image that portrays the human, emotional implications of the impact of the judicial or legal system in such a way as to draw the reader into the accompanying story, if applicable, or as a stand alone photo with caption.

Submit photographic entries electronically via email or a CD in jpeg format or some other commonly-accessible file format.

4. Web Site Material

Web site entries may include items not previously published or broadcast, including blogs, editorials, news stories, documentaries, educational, or dramatic features and may consist of any combination of stories, video clips, audio clips, and photographs published on-line by a qualifying media organization. For each entry, please include a working link to the Web site (although it does not necessarily have to be publicly accessible at the time of the judging).