Newspapers should serve readers with strong editorial stands

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One positive result of the challenges facing the newspaper industry is the recognition that quality local content is essential to a newspaper's success.

My father, Carmage Walls, believed a newspaper was a semi-public trust which should reflect and serve its community by providing constructive criticism and positive leadership. 

Central to providing that leadership are the editorial pages of a newspaper. Editorial pages that are relevant, insightful and engaging have become the "town hall" for a community and serve a role that no other institution or organization could.

It takes courage and commitment by talented and resourceful editors and writers to shine a light on their community and offer praise when earned and constructively criticize when necessary.

Please consider honoring those who work tirelessly each day to do this incredibly difficult but critical job by submitting entries for this year's Carmage Walls Commentary Prize.

Your staff's best work could earn a $1,000 cash prize.

Awards will be presented in each of two circulation categories – over 50,000 circulation and under 50,000 circulation.  The deadline for entries is Friday, May 9.

In each circulation group, the first-place winner will receive a plaque and a cash award of $1,000. Second-place winners will receive a plaque and $500.

Awards will be presented during the Oct. 6-8 News Industry Summit in Charlottesville, Va.

The prize was named for the late Benjamin Carmage Walls whose newspaper career spanned seven decades. Walls primarily owned community newspapers and advocated strong, courageous and positive editorial page leadership.

For additional information, contact Cindy Durham at SNPA: cindy@snpa.org or (404) 256-0444.

Carmage Walls Commentary Prize
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