State and regional journalism awards — especially for niche categories like editorial cartooning — have become increasingly rare over the years as the Great Contraction for newspapers continued through the second decade of the 21st century. So it’s always nice to see the Southern Chapter of the Society for Professional Journalists hand out their annual Green Eyeshade awards for those working in 11 states in the Southeast of the United States.
As reported by The Daily Cartoonist, this year’s awards went to JD Crowe, Clay Bennett and Ed Hall, in First, Second and Third Place respectively. Crowe, who is notably a left-wing cartoonist in the right-wing enclave of Alabama, said “We do this work because … well, it’s just what we do, dammit. But it’s cool to win stuff along the way.”
He added, “I was tickled to be in the distinguished company of my cartooning buddies Clay Bennett and Ed Hall who took Second and Third. These dudes are both real life winners. It’s a win for me just to be in their orbit.”
Speaking of the South and regional journalism awards, Ed Hall recently won First Place in the category of Local Editorial Cartoon from the Florida Press Association. Hall noted his work for The Baker County Press has won 15 times over the past 30 years, saying “so I’m batting 500.” Congrats, Ed!
