UT System, Tennessee Press Association Announce 2024 Newspaper Contest Winners

FRANKLIN, Tenn.— Newspaper publishers, editors, writers and designers earned top honors today in the 2024 Tennessee Press Association (TPA) Newspaper Contest cosponsored by the University of Tennessee System, a partner in the annual event since 1940.

This contest celebrates and honors excellence in all areas of journalism, including reporting, writing, photography and more. This year, the Tennessean received the most overall wins, going home with 13 first-place awards. The Kingsport Times News followed by winning nine first-place awards.

During the association’s ceremony, The Tennessean, Kingsport Times News, The Knoxville Ledger, The Standard Banner and Carthage Courier claimed the top general excellence awards in their respective divisions.

The Standard Banner secured the general excellence distinction for the fourth consecutive year, while The Tennessean and Kingsport Times News achieved this honor for the third consecutive year. The Knoxville Ledger and Carthage Courier celebrated their second consecutive year as general excellence winners. This is the first time in recent history where all five recipients of the general excellence awards are repeat winners. Newspapers receive points for each entry. General excellence honors go to the newspaper in each division with the highest number of points.

As part of the annual contest, newspapers winning first-place awards in the categories of editorials, best single editorial and public service receive $250 prizes from UT’s Edward J. Meeman Foundation. The Meeman Foundation was established in 1968 at UT to fund the contest, provide professional critiques of journalists’ work and support journalism students and educators.

“In an era where information spreads rapidly, the role of news organizations in providing accurate and thorough reporting is crucial,” said Randy Boyd, president of the UT System. “Tennessee is fortunate to have dedicated reporters, photographers and designers who strive to keep the public well-informed and educated. I deeply admire their commitment to truth and transparency in all that they do.”

Each year, reciprocal judging is done with another state’s association. This year, the New York Press Association judged 1,060 entries from 71 of the Tennessee Press Association’s 131 member newspapers and online publication members.