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 2023 contest will be judged this spring by volunteers from the Louisiana Press Association. Winners will be announced at the annual meeting June 29 in Biloxi.

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.


Editorial Division

2023 Winners Announced

Winners in the 2023 editorial contest were announced June 29, 2024, during the 158th Annual Meeting. Our thanks to volunteers from the Louisiana Press Association who judged this year's competition.


DOWNLOAD A SEARCHABLE LIST OF WINNERS

SEE THE BNC AWARDS SLIDESHOW
DOWNLOAD THE BNC AWARDS WINNERS BOOK

 

Click below to see a complete list of winners in recent contests.

 

» 2022 — Presented June 17, 2023

» 2021 — Presented June 25, 2022

» 2020 — Presented July 10, 2021

» 2019 — Presented July 10, 2020
» 2018 — Presented June 22, 2019

» 2017 — Presented June 16, 2018

» 2016 — Presented July 8, 2017
» 2015 — Presented June 25, 2016
» 2014 — Presented June 20, 2015
» 2013 — Presented June 21, 2014

Advertising Division

NEW! 2023 Winners Announced
Winners in the 2023 Better Advertising Contest have been announced. Our gratitude to volunteers from the Arkansas Press Association who judged this year's competition.

CLICK HERE
to watch the winners announcement on YouTube
CLICK HERE to view or download the winners slide show
CLICK HERE to download the winners list with judges' comments

Click below to see a complete list of winners in prior contests.

» 2022 — Announced March 13, 2023

» 2021 — Presented Feb. 18, 2022

» 2020 — Presented Feb. 5, 2021

» 2019 — Presented Feb. 8, 2020

» 2018 — Presented Feb. 9, 2019

» 2017 – Presented Jan. 27, 2018

» 2016— Presented Jan. 28, 2017

» 2015 — Presented Jan. 29, 2016
» 2014 — Presented Jan. 31, 2015

Student Division

NEW! 2023 Winners Announced

Winners in the 2023 student media contest were announced Thursday, March 21. CLICK HERE to see a complete list of winners.

Click below to see a complete list of winners in prior contests. 

» 2022 — Presented March 30, 2023
» 2021 — Presented March 24, 2022

» 2020 — Presented March 26, 2021

» 2019 — Presented Feb. 7, 2020

» 2018 — Presented March 28, 2019

» 2017 — Presented March 28, 2018
» 2016
–  Presented March 30, 2017
» 2015 — Presented March 24, 2016
» 2014 — Presented March 26, 2015
» 2013 — Presented March 27, 2014

For more information, contact
Monica Gilmer, Member Services Director
Mississippi Press Association
601-981-3060 ext. 2