Journalism group to revive awards
Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2008
DALLAS — After revelations that its prestigious journalism contest was probably rigged, the Press Club of Dallas is promising changes when it revives the Katie Awards this year.
This time, contest organizers have guaranteed there will be actual judges.
“Obviously we are very sensitive to the disaster that happened and the need for absolute transparency,” said Tony Pederson, a Southern Methodist University journalism professor and Press Club board member. “Every entry judged will have individual judges’ comments, and we will include on the back of each award who the judge was.” The Press Club shelved the Katie Awards in 2007 after allegations that former club president Elizabeth Albanese failed to secure judges for at least the two previous contests. She also was suspected of awarding prizes to herself.
Albanese, a former bureau chief for The Bond Buyer, won 10 Katies from 2003-06.
Press Club officials have made other changes to the contest. It is open to full-time staff members of news organizations in Texas and to Texas-based reporters for out-of-state outlets. The contest formerly accepted entries from Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
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