The Samter Journalism Awards were developed to recognize the best reporting of the role of the allergist/immunologist and allergy, asthma and immunologic disease. In 2008, the AAAAI will award entries in New Media - a category created to reflect the growing coverage in podcasts, videocasts and other Internet-based content.

The Samter Award is named in honor of Max Samter, MD, FAAAAI, a former AAAAI President and ardent advocate for public education in the area of allergic disease. Entries are limited to five per journalist.

Entry Deadline: Oct. 31, 2008

Stories published or broadcast Sept. 1, 2007-Aug. 31, 2008.

Samter Journalism Awards are open to all journalists in the following categories:

Print - includes magazines, newspapers and online content written for general audiences or healthcare professionals. Entries must be submitted as tearsheets or good-quality photocopies. Four copies of the article must be provided.
A separate entry form is required for each submission.

Broadcast - includes television and radio programs. Entries must be submitted on CD (radio) or DVD (television). Four copies of the broadcast must be provided.
A separate entry form is required for each submission.

New Category!
New Media - includes podcasting, videocasting and other online content not available in or supplemental to traditional forms of reporting for general audiences. Entries must be submitted as a link. A separate entry form is required for each submission.

Judging & Awards
Entries are judged by a panel of allergist/immunologists and communications professionals.

Entries are judged on:

* Promotion of public awareness on a topic of allergic disease
* Medical accuracy
* Quality of reporting
* Creativity
* Recommendation of additional resources

Articles are not required to promote the allergist/immunologist as the best medical experts for treatment of allergic disease. However, as this contest is hosted by the AAAAI, articles promoting otolaryngologists and other medical specialties will not be considered.

One winner will be selected in each entry category. Samter Journalism Awards winners receive a certificate and $1,000 cash prize.

Past Winners:

Consumer Print
Michele Bender
"Four Reasons Your Allergies Are Worse Than Ever," Shape

Radio & Television
David Wasser
"Healthline: Allergies," Retirement Living TV

Trade Print
Robert Finn
Myth Persists on Seafood Allergy/Contrast Link, The International Medical News Group (Appeared in Skin & Allergy News and Cardiology News)

Go to www.aaaai.org/media/samter_journalism_award/.