2020 MNA College Better Newspaper Contest

Editorial ( 2 Year College/University,4 Year College/University)Back

  • Place Name: First Place
    Contestant Name: Tommie Media (University of St. Thomas)
    Entry Title: OPINION: Racism at St. Thomas requires action from administration and students
    Entry Credit: Maddie Peters, Kayla Mayer
    Judge Comment: This entry meets all the tenets of a sound editorial and does so by weighing in on a highly charged and emotional local topic. Writer clearly states the issue, provides complimentary and critical observations on how the issue has been handled, and lays out a call to action.
  • Place Name: Second Place
    Contestant Name: Manitou Messenger (St. Olaf)
    Entry Title: Free expression and the real threat to our political climate
    Entry Credit: Amy Imdieke
    Judge Comment: Editorial does a nice job of calling readers’ attention to where they get their news, especially when framing decisions they’ll make in the voting booth. Writer identifies the pitfalls of taking all messages on social media at face value without further vetting of the source.
  • Place Name: Third Place
    Contestant Name: Manitou Messenger (St. Olaf)
    Entry Title: Student journalists and the pursuit of objectivity
    Entry Credit: Sam Carlen
    Judge Comment: I’m a firm believer that newspapers use their platforms to explain operations and policies. Writer does a nice job of sorting out a newspaper’s coverage of protests. He underscores why it’s important for newspapers to defend – and not be apologetic – for the steps taken to produce solid reporting.
  • Competition Comment: None