Recognizing Excellence in Mississippi Newspaper Media

The Better Newspaper Contest is held semi-annually to recognize excellence in news content and advertising. Each spring and fall, newspaper professionals from sister press associations convene to judge entries submitted by Mississippi newspapers. Winners in advertising are announced during the Mid-Winter Conference; editorial winners are announced each summer during the Annual Convention. Click the links below for more information on these contests.

Editorial Division

The Editorial Division of the Better Newspaper Contest is open to all Full Active and Digital Affiliate Members in four separate audience classes. The contest deadlines the second Thursday of each February and covers material from the prior calendar year.

The 2024 contest will be judged this spring by volunteers from the Oklahoma Press Association. Winners will be announced at the Tri-State Convention June 28 in Memphis.

Advertising Division

The Advertising Division of the BNC deadlines the first Thursday in October each year and covers material published from Sept. 1-Aug. 31. The contest is open to all Full Active Members in four separate audience classes.

Student Division

In addition to the Editorial and Advertising contests, the MPA Education Foundation also hosts a Student contest for which winners are presented each spring during the O.C. McDavid Journalism Summit.