Better Newspaper Contest

The INA Better Newspaper Contests are one of the Iowa Newspaper Association’s longest-standing traditions and among the most meaningful recognitions in Iowa journalism. Each year, Iowa newspapers submit work from across editorial, advertising, photography, design, and digital categories for evaluation by newspaper professionals from another state, ensuring an impartial and credible judging process. Awards are presented during the INA Annual Convention, where winners are celebrated among their peers.

The contests are about more than winning. They are an opportunity to showcase outstanding work, receive constructive feedback from experienced judges, benchmark your newsroom against publications of similar size, and recognize the staff members who make great journalism possible. For many newspapers, the judges’ comments are just as valuable as the awards themselves, offering fresh perspective and practical ideas for improvement.

All member newspapers of the Iowa Newspaper Association are eligible to enter. To ensure fair competition, newspapers compete within circulation classes so every publication is judged alongside others of similar size and resources.

We are currently updating the Call for Entries, Entry Guide, and contest resources for the 2027 contest season, including new categories and enhanced guidance designed to encourage participation from news outlets of every size. Check back soon for complete information. In the meantime, if you have questions contact the Iowa Newspaper Association at ina@inanews.com.