College Park, Md, December 12, 1997 ... The American Institute of Physics (AIP) is expanding its Science Writing Awards program to include the broadcast media. The first award will be made in the spring of 1998, and will be for programming aired during calendar year 1997.
Since 1969, AIP has annually presented an award to a journalist writing about physics and astronomy in the general print media. In establishing an award to honor excellence in reporting about physics and astronomy in the broadcast media, AIP recognizes the importance of these media in informing the public as well as the abundance of quality science reporting on radio and television.
The purpose of the American Institute of Physics Science Writing Award for Broadcast Media is to recognize and stimulate distinguished writing that improves the general public's understanding and appreciation of physics and astronomy.
The winning author will receive a prize of $3,000, a Windsor chair and a certificate. Entries will be judged by a committee of distinguished scientists and journalists selected by AIP's Public Information Division and approved by the AIP Governing Board. Decisions of the judging committee are final.
Entries should be scripted radio or television programming. There is no entry
fee. Reports or features broadcast in English during calendar year 1997 are
eligible. For further information and a required entry form, call (301)
209-3093 or contact
In addition to awards to journalists for print and broadcast writing, AIP gives
an annual award to a scientist for writing about physics and astronomy for a
general audience and to the author of materials intended for children.
The American Institute of Physics is a non-profit membership corporation whose
purpose is to promote the advancement and diffusion of the knowledge of physics
and its application to human welfare. The scientists represented by the
Institute through its ten Member Societies number approximately 100,000.