The deadline for submissions has been extended to December 23, 2009.
Honor fair and trusted journalism at your newspaper!

Are you proud of your political coverage during the most recent election cycle?  Did you cover a particularly difficult social or political issue in your area this year?  Do you think the work improved your community?  Nominate your work for the 2010 Rasmussen Family Fairness Award today.

The award, established to honor and promote fair and balanced journalism will be presented by the Minnesota News Council and the family of former Minnesota publisher Duane Rasmussen at the Minnesota Newspaper Association Convention. More »

PLEASE NOTE: Then submission deadline has been extended to December 23, 2009. Send in your nominations today!

How to Apply

The Minnesota News Council accepts nominations for a single article or editorial; series of stories or editorials; or a body of work by an individual journalist.

Anyone may submit a nomination by sending an application form to the address below, as well as 3 copies of the work and a letter of nomination explaining why the entry is an excellent example of fairness in journalism. The letter must explain how the work was developed, reported and presented to news consumers in the context of fairness. The letter should also explain how the publication itself defines fairness and how that was applied to the particular work – from brainstorming to final publication.

To be eligible for the inaugural 2010 award, the work must have been published in a Minnesota newspaper between Jan. 1, 2008 and Nov. 30, 2009. Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 11, 2009.

Up to two prizes will be awarded each year.  One award will go to a newspaper, the other to an individual journalist for a single article or editorial or a series of stories or editorials that exemplify fairness.  Winners will receive a cash prize and commemorative plaque.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION

NEWS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE RASMUSSEN FAMILY FAIRNESS AWARD

Award to honor fair and trusted journalism in Minnesota

In an effort to encourage and promote fairness in journalism, the Minnesota News Council is pleased to announce the establishment of the Rasmussen Family Fairness Award.

This prize, which will be awarded annually in January at the Minnesota Newspaper Association Convention, honors fair and trusted reporting on serious social, governmental, political issues or other subjects of on-going, in-depth coverage.

Duane A. Rasmussen, connected with Minnesota daily and weekly newspapers for 53 years, finished his career as publisher of the Forest Lake Times and owner of Sell Publishing Company for 25 years in 1993.  The Rasmussen family has over 100 years in the newspaper business in Minnesota beginning with Harry and Geraldine Rasmussen, former owners of the Austin Daily Herald with over 40 years, and Duane’s son, Leif, who is still in the printing business. Duane and his family including four children sought to reward fair and trusted journalism in Minnesota at a time when the profession is held in much ill repute by news consumers. More »