Missourian named national paper of year

The Southeast Missourian has been named Newspaper of the Year in the 2006 Suburban Newspapers of America contest.

More than 200 newspapers from across the country and Canada entered the contest, which was divided into four nondaily circulation classes and two daily classes. The Southeast Missourian won its award in the category for dailies with a circulation of under 30,000.

"This is a tremendous honor -- one of the top recognitions in the nation," said publisher Jon K. Rust.

The Southeast Missourian entered single editions from August 2005, December 2005 and March 2006 in the contest, which was judged by the American Press Institute. API was founded by newspaper publishers in 1946 and is the oldest and largest center devoted to training the news industry and journalism educators.

"It's nice to be recognized as the best newspaper in the country by two of the pre-eminent media organizations in the United States," Rust said. He gives credit to the staff of the Southeast Missourian -- from editor Joe Sullivan and managing editor Sam Blackwell to all the reporters, photographers, designers and pressmen.

"We will continue to strive to improve each day," Rust said. "This is a big deal, and I'm awfully proud of our folks."

Comments from the judges said the Southeast Missourian "is a sophisticated, well put-together daily. It looks like a newspaper with a lot more resources than a small daily."

Criteria for judging was based on content, layout and photography, said Kim Cole, SNA marketing manager and contests coordinator.

The Suburban Newspapers of America is a not-for-profit, professional trade association that serves the suburban newspaper industry. SNA's membership is comprised of approximately 2,000 newspapers published in the United States and parts of Canada.

Winners will be recognized at the annual SNA Awards Banquet on Sept. 14 in Dallas, Texas. A two-page, four-color spread will also appear in the October issue of Editor & Publisher highlighting the winners.