Now, websites & blogs can compete for Best Journalism Award

Considering the growing clout of social media in news dissemination, Maharashtra government has decided to include websites and blogs while adjudging the Best Journalism Award.
The award comprises cash prize of Rs 41,000, a citation and a certificate.
As per the amended rules of the government, the criteria for 2014 will be changed from "newspapers and electronic medium" to "newspapers, electronic media and social media", a Government Resolution (GR) said.
Social media have been included for competing for the best journalism award along with journalists, electronic media, information and publicity directorate officials, newspaper photographers, DGIPR photographers.
The news in Marathi on blogs and websites is open for competition for the award. Writers using the social media constructively for developmental and people-oriented activities can participate in the competition, according to the GR.

The blog or website participating in the competition, should be a year old.
The General Administration Department (GAD) official said the aim behind including social media for best journalism award was to encourage people's participation in development process of the state.
"Writers of blogs from non-journalistic field applying for the award would also be considered," the official added.