Ten newspapers are finalists in APME International

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Posted 6:37PM on Wednesday, July 31, 2002

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - Ten newspapers were named finalists in an inaugural effort by the Associated Press Managing Editors to recognize outstanding journalism that makes international news relevant to local readers. The finalists include an Alabama newspaper and a Georgia newspaper. The APME International Perspective Award was created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks to encourage U.S. newspapers to devote even more attention to news from abroad and to find ways to relate those developments to local communities. Fifty-six newspapers, ranging from some of the country's largest metropolitan publications to small community-oriented dailies, submitted entries. ``It's gratifying to see this level of interest in the first year of this award,'' APME President Caesar Andrews said in announcing the finalists Wednesday. APME Vice President Ed Jones, who chaired the competition panel, said the judges were ``impressed and heartened'' by the entries. The recognized work includes a new weekly section that focuses on the growing population of immigrants and finds local ties to overseas news and features; several instances of reporting the direct local impact of a global economy; and stories that attempt to bridge cultural and religious gaps widened by terrorism. ``We found that dozens of newspapers all over the country, large and small, are creatively connecting their communities to international affairs,'' Jones said. ``APME is committed to spreading the word on these 'best practices,' and in working with the AP and member newspapers on doing an even better job.'' Winners in the competition's two circulation categories will be announced at the APME annual conference Oct. 23-26 in Baltimore. Finalists among newspapers 50,000 circulation and above are: The Forum, Fargo, N.D., for a series examining the impact of Sudanese refugees migrating to Fargo. The News and Observer, Raleigh, N.C., for stories bringing the urgency of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to North Carolina. The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, for an investigation into the demise of the steel industry and the role played by foreign competitors. Los Angeles Times, for coverage of China's entry into the World Trade Organization and the economic impact on the United States and the world. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, for creation of a weekly special section making global news local. The Morning Call, Allentown, Pa., for coverage of local Arab and Muslim communities. The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Ky., for coverage of the aftermath of Sept. 11 that endeavored to help readers understand a cultural and religious divide widened by the attack. The Seattle Times, for a 17-part report of how an Algerian boy evolved into a terrorist. Finalists in the under 50,000 circulation category are: The Anniston (Ala.) Star, for an in-depth look at the flight of local jobs to Mexico. The Greeley (Colo.) Tribune, for using a feature approach on several international entries, and particularly work by the newspaper's religion writer. The contest covers work published or pursued from July 1, 2001, to June 30. In addition to Jones, judges were: Kathleen Carroll, executive editor of The Associated Press; G.G. Labelle, AP World Services news editor; Carol Nunnelley, executive director, APME National Credibility Roundtables Project; Everett J. Mitchell II, managing editor, The Detroit News; and Scott Angus, editor, The Janesville (Wis.) Gazette. Carroll, Nunnelley, Mitchell and Angus are APME directors. Judges did not have entries in the contest. The full APME board of directors ratified the finalists and winners during a weekend meeting. The APME is an organization of editors and managing editors of the AP's more than 1,500 member newspapers.