Nevada Press Association The best in Nevada journalism since 1924
Each day of the year, I read dozens of news stories — interesting, dull, entertaining, poorly written and researched, provocative, mind-numbing. It takes all kinds.
But this time of the year, I get to read the best of the best.
I’m in the process of confirming 1,400-some entries for the Better Newspaper Contest. I really shouldn’t be stopping to read so many of them, but it’s just like when I’m scanning through back issues of the newspaper at the library. I just can’t help myself.
Why? Because they’re that good.
Some, in fact, are amazing. They’re what drives us in the press to keep doing what we do, day in and day out, because there are great stories to be told by great storytellers.
I’d like to list some examples, but I’m going to have to wait. I’m not judging the Nevada entries — it’s my job to get them ready for other professionals to read and judge. There’s a chance I might influence somebody’s opinion.
So wait with me until September, when we announce the winners. It’s a big deal.
Know, though, that for every first, second and third place, there is a fourth, fifth, sixth and beyond that were almost as moving to read.
And I haven’t even talked about the eye-grabbing photos and graphics, the compelling opinion writing, the clever ads.
There is a reason I subtitled this site “The best in journalism since 1924,” because that’s what the Nevada Press Association stands for. And there is a press association in every state in the country doing the same for journalism there.
For all the angst written about the state of the media in the United States today — and there is plenty to worry about — the fact is that journalists are producing work every day that can change your world.
And for a few days a year, I get to focus on the best.
