Nominations
The Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame was established in 1966 by the Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. It is administered by a 17-member board of directors that includes individuals associated with journalism and representatives of SPJ campus and professional chapters throughout the state.
The process of nominating a person for enshrinement in the hall of fame may start at any time of year. But for a nominee to be considered for induction each spring, his or her nomination must be submitted by midnight the previous Oct. 31. (Note: Deadlines may be adjusted due to pandemic concerns. Contact executive director for the latest info.)
Nominees should be selected from the entire period of Indiana journalism history.
Nominees should have a significant connection to Indiana and have been active in journalism for several years.
For these purposes, journalism is defined as including the direction of the editorial policy of, the editing of, or the preparation of, news and editorial content of newspapers, magazines, press or syndicated services, professional or business publications, radio or television; or, the teaching of journalism so defined. The definition is both broad — in the numbers of persons who qualify under it — and narrow, to make it clear that nominees should have been dedicated to the principle of professionalism and to the purely editorial function of the profession.
The board has determined that although some individuals may, as a part of their jobs, write or produce news or other public information, the following are not eligible for nomination to the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame:
All types of public relations and house-organ personnel and information and press-relations personnel employed by government at any level or by corporations, public relations or advertising agencies, colleges or universities, nonprofit corporations or foundations, or financial institutions.
Promotion managers employed by an institution or company, including newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations.
Government officials and members of the armed services, with the exception of members of the editorial staff of Stars and Stripes.
Publications and electronic entities.
The IJHF board of directors reviews the complete nomination materials by mid-October. Each member selects his or her 12 leading candidates for nomination and forwards the choices to the executive director for tallying.
The 12 leading nominations are reviewed by the full board of directors along with any supplemental material at a meeting in Indianapolis by late November. The new class of inductees are selected and notified immediately of the plans for their May induction into the hall of fame.
Questions regarding nomination may be directed to the executive director.
The hall of fame also awards The John. P. McMeel Distinguished Service to Journalism Award.