Central City News to Receive Nine National Journalism Awards

National Newspaper Association to Honor Central City News for Public Records Fight

ALBUQUERQUE — The Central City News will receive nine national journalism awards at the 125th Annual Convention of the National Newspaper Association in Albuquerque Sept. 21-25.

The NNA is composed of several thousand daily and weekly newspapers in all 50 states.

Earlier this year, the Central City News received the coveted Freedom of Information Award from the Louisiana Press Association.  This award, which is probably the most prestigious award given by the association, honored the Central City News for its fight to protect the public’s right to access public documents.  The NNA has announced that the newspaper has won 2nd Place in the NNA’s own national Freedom of Information Award competition.

The Central City News has a long-running battle over access to public documents in the City of Central, where all city services have been privatized.  The newspaper is in litigation over the issue with CH2MHILL, the contractor which administered city government here for three years.  The company has since lost the contract, but the legal battle continues in Louisiana’s 1st Circuit Court of Appeal.

All daily and weekly newspapers in the country, regardless of circulation or market size, compete for the Freedom of Information Award.

The Central City News also won 2nd Place in the nation for Best Use of Color.  Again, the competition included all daily and weekly newspapers in the country.  A judge in the competition said, “The newspaper’s color is so good, it looks like a pdf!”  The newspaper also won 2nd Place in the country for Best Use of Photographs.

Central City News editor Woody Jenkins won 2nd Place in the nation for Best Editorial Page, 3rd Place for Best Serious Column, and 3rd Place for Best Sports Feature.

Central City News graphic artist Terrie Palmer won 3rd place in the nation for Best Use of Local Photography in Ads.  The newspaper’s Football Preview won an Honorable Mention for Best Advertising Idea.

Jenkins said, “The Central City News staff is gratified to receive this recognition.  We want Central to be the best community in America, and we want the Central City News to be the best community newspaper in America.  We consider any honors or awards we receive as belonging to Central, which we are honored to serve and represent.  Thank you for making it all possible!”

The NNA has announced that the Central City News will receive the following awards at its convention in Albuquerque, N. M., Sept. 21-25, 2011

• Freedom of Information Award — 2nd Place

• Best Use of Color — 2nd Place

• Best Editorial Page Award — 2nd Place

• Best Use of Photographs — 2nd Place

• Best Serious Column Award — 3rd Place

• Best Sports Feature Award — 3rd Place

• Best Use of Local Photography in Ads — 3rd Place

• Best Advertising Idea -— Honorable Mention

• Best Feature Series — Honorable Mention

Representing Central at the event will be Woody Jenkins, Candi Lee, Terrie Palmer, Shara Pollard, and Jolice Provost.