For the Media:
12^th Annual Distinguished Journalism Awards

Washington, D.C., January 24, 2006 (Updated) -- The Epilepsy Foundation is now accepting entries for the 12^th Annual Distinguished Journalism Awards. The awards program recognizes consumer broadcast, print, and Internet journalists who have contributed significantly to the following:

• The public's understanding of epilepsy
• Efforts to find its cause and cure
• Ways those who have the disorder – and their families – cope with the disorder at home and in the workplace

Background

Epilepsy can affect anyone, any time, at any age. More than 2.7 million Americans have epilepsy and 181,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Still, this chronic, episodic disorder and the scope of its effects are not well understood by the general public. This lack of understanding makes life more difficult than it needs to be for people with seizure disorders.

Between seizures, most people with epilepsy function as well as anyone else. Those with severe forms of the disorder often have difficulty receiving the treatment and services they need. The media can play a crucial role in dispelling misconceptions about epilepsy, while informing the public about advances in finding its cause and cure.

Awards Presentation and Sponsor

The 12^th Annual Epilepsy Foundation Distinguished Journalism Awards are underwritten by Ortho -McNeil Neurologics, Inc. The awards carry a prize of $1,000 in each of five categories (Internet, newspaper, magazine, radio and television) and will be presented at the annual awards luncheon ceremony.

Judging Criteria

Entries are judged on the following criteria:

• Primary focus on epilepsy
• Initiative and level of effort
• Scientific accuracy
• Quality of writing and, in the case of broadcast entries, production quality
• Editorial balance
• Contribution to public understanding

Additional information and entry forms may be obtained by contacting the Epilepsy Foundation Department of Public Information at (301) 459-3700.

Rules

1. All entries must have been published or broadcast in the United States, by media available to the general public, between June 1, 2005 and May 31, 2006.
   
   
2. Entries may be a single story or broadcast, or a series of reports. Series submissions must be entered as single entries. Journalists may submit more than one entry and enter more than one category. Print ads and broadcast PSAs will not be considered.
   
   
3. Entries may be made by the journalist or, on his/her behalf, by the editor, publisher, by the radio, television, or website official, or an affiliate of the Epilepsy Foundation.
   
   
4. A completed entry blank must be submitted for each entry. Broadcast entries should include a transcript, if possible. Television entries must include a VHS videotape or DVD of the program entry in its entirety. Broadcast date, time, outlet and its location must be included. A minimum of five original copies of newspaper or magazine articles must be included. Radio entries must include a CD or audiocassette. Online entries must include URL addresses and a minimum of five hard copies of reports as they appeared on the Internet site. Submissions will not be returned.
   
   
5. Entries will be judged by an independent panel of journalists and medical/scientific experts appointed by the Epilepsy Foundation. The panel is free to recommend omission of an award in any category if it determines that entries submitted do not meet the judging criteria.
   
   
6. All entries must be received by June 2, 2006 and addressed to:
   
   

   Epilepsy Foundation Distinguished Journalism Awards

   ATTN: Jonese Holloway

   4351 Garden City Drive

   Landover, MD 20785-7223

   Download entry form

(Add following to entry form: Please consider this submission in the following category: Internet ___ Newspaper ___ Magazine ___ Radio ___ Television ___

Previous Award Winners

Ann Dudurich, Greensburg, PA

Stephen Fried, Glamour Magazine

Jody Winter, Guidepost

Judy Forman, The Boston Globe, MA

Alejandro Lazo, Lodi News-Sentinel, CA

Hattie Kauffman & Bob Kozberg, CBS Early Show

Brie Zeltner, The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OH

Sarah Ryan, WSRS-FM, Worcester, MA

Edie Magnus & John Block, Dateline NBC

Jane Brody, The New York Times

Rita Rubin, U.S. News & World Report

Dr. Howard Torman, Susan Schiller & Patricia Olsen, CBS This Morning

Jennifer Hembree, Georgia Magazine

Christi Myers, KTRK-TV, Houston, TX

Art Carey, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Leslie Stahl & Jay Kernis, CBS 60-Minutes

Roger O'Neil, John Chestnut & Brad Woodard, NBC Nightly News and , KARE-TV, Minneapolis, MN

Magaret Baker, The Sun Herald, Gulfport, MS

Andrea Chambers, Seventeen Magazine

Dr. Rose Gabriele, WOIO-TV, Cleveland, OH

Shirley Armbruster, The Fresno Bee

Bill Clayton, Hour Detroit Magazine

Tod Olson, Chris Coats & Macon Morehouse, Teen People

Amy Sirot, June Peoples & Bill Lichtenstein, The Infinite Mind

Tom Corwin & Jeff Janowksi, The Augusta Chronicle

Nicolle Charbonneau, HealthScout.com

Damaris Christensen, Science News

Dennis Murphy & Ruth Chenetz, Dateline NBC

Joe Kovac, Jr. & Nick Oza, The Macon Telegraph

Kathy A. Svitil, Discover Magazine

Jeffrey Kofman & Charles Herman, ABC-TV World News Tonight

The 11th Annual Distinguished Journalism Awards is underwritten by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc.

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