The Selma Sun’s innovative multimedia efforts were recognized for excellence in the Alabama Press Association Media Awards announced June 5.
The Selma Sun received first-place awards for online breaking news for its coverage of the January 2023 tornado, for creative use of multimedia for the Black Belt Newscast hosted by Publisher Cindy Fisher and Staff Writer Todd Prater, and for best podcast series for “In the Black Belt” hosted by Prater.
The Selma Sun won first, second and third place awards in the category of Best Use of Video Shorter Than 2 Minutes for coverage of tornado damage by Fisher and staff member Chico Cleveland, for a story about Gees Bend Quilters by Fisher and Prater, and for a story produced by Fisher and Cleveland about a hero who saved children at a daycare center from tornado damage.
“The Black Belt Newscast: Year in Review” by Fisher and Prater won second place in the category of Use of Video Longer Than 2 Minutes.
Selma Sun’s Tic Tok channel received third place honors in the category Best Use of Social Media.
Winners in select categories of the 2024 Alabama Press Association Media Awards were announced by Dee Ann Campbell, chairman of the AMA Contest Committee on June 5. First place awards in many categories and divisions will be presented in conjunction with the 2024 APA Summer Convention banquet awards program later this month.
In 2023, Fisher’s parent company, Kingfisher Media, expanded its news service into neighboring markets through the regional online news site BlackBeltNewsNetwork.com that covers six counties. Fisher says her team has enjoyed bringing their innovative journalism to these markets that have little online news coverage.
Fisher said she was proud that she and her staff were recognized for their work in digital categories.
“We believe the citizens of the Black Belt deserve the same quality and variety of news as Alabamians who live in big cities,” Fisher said. “We have a passion to bring news to our audience wherever they get their news, whether in print, online or on their phones.”
“We are thrilled to communicate and connect with even more communities in the Black Belt through strong hyperlocal news delivered online at BlackBeltNewsNetwork.com,” Fisher said. “We meet readers where they are through stories, videos and podcasts and are honored to now serve as the go-to information site for west and central Alabama.”
This year, 56 publications submitted 1,770 entries in the annual contest. The Hoosier State Press Association membership judged the entries.
Check out the award-winning videos by the Selma Sun and Black Belt News Network at our YouTube channel here.
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