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Five teams of judges reviewed more than 12,000 entries in the annual judging to decide the best of the best. The highest award is the World's Best-Design Newspapers™, which was decided by a team of five judges over four days of judging.
Four teams of five judges each decided the remaining winners over three days of judging from the remaining 20 categories in the competition.
World Best-Designed Newspapers ™ — Entries were evaluated on writing, visual storytelling, use of resources, execution, photography, headlines and "voice" as well as the newspaper's overall design. Judges considered the publication's circulation when they decided the final publications that were considered for this award. They selected the very best publications from those entered in the competition.
Award of Excellence — This was granted for work that was truly excellent. This award went beyond mere technical or aesthetic competency. To receive this award these entries needed not be "perfect." It was appropriate to honor entries for such things as being daring and innovative if the entry was outstanding but less than 100 percent in every respect. Judges were asked to be very selective in giving this award.
Silver Medal — This award was granted for work that went beyond excellence. The technical proficiency of the Silver Medal stretched the limits of the medium. These entries should shine. If the entry did not stretch the limits of the medium this medal was not presented. Again, judges were asked to be very selective with standards much higher than those used for an Award of Excellence.
Gold Medal — This award was granted for work that defined the state of the art. Such an entry had to stretch the limits of creativity. It should be impossible to find anything deficient in a gold-winning entry. It should be perfect or near perfect. Very few of these awards were given. This is the highest award given for general judging.
In addition to the Award of Excellence and the two medals (explained above), two special honors were possible: the Judges' Special Recognition and the Best of Show. These honors are given only when special circumstances warrant the awards.
Judges' Special Recognition — This honor was awarded by a team of judges or by all judges for work that is outstanding in a particular respect not necessarily singled out by the Award of Excellence, Silver or Gold award structure. This recognition has been granted for such things as use of photography, use of informational graphics and the use of typography throughout a body of work. This body of work may be a particular publication, section or sections by an individual or staff. The special recognition did not supplant any Award of Excellence, Silver or Gold award and was seen as an adjunct.
Best of Show — As the name implies, this is the best of the Gold Medal winners. Any discussion for this award took place at the conclusion of the judging. Judges had an opportunity to view all Silver and Gold winners as edited for the book at the end of the judging. The award may be for one or more categories but only one Best of Show could be given in the competition. Voting is by secret ballot and must be unanimous for the award to be given. No Best of Show was awarded for the 24th Edition judging.
