It seems that the number of journalism contests has multiplied faster than mosquitoes on a Georgia night. Everybody has gotten in on it. Lawyers, environmentalists, teachers, religious groups, doctors, corporations are all giving away prizes for stories written about their fields. It feels too cozy to be taking prizes from people we cover, so we don t enter contests sponsored by special interests. But this year several groups entered our work for us.
Reporters are thrilled, especially since some awards come with big money.
It seems unsportsmanlike to decline, but I smell a conflict.