EUGENE–The University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication is seeking nominations for the first Payne Awards for Ethics in Journalism.

The school will be honoring a select few journalists this year, thanks to Ancil Payne, former president and chief executive officer of King Broadcasting Co. who is endowing a new award for professional and student journalists who demonstrate the highest ethical practices in their work.

"The awards will honor the journalist of integrity and character who reports with insight and clarity in the face of political or economic pressures," says Dean Tim Gleason. Gleason and Payne said the awards are intended to reward performance that encourages public trust in the media. Selection criteria are courage, accuracy and fairness.

Payne awards will be given annually to a working professional and a student journalist in broadcasting, print, or new media publishing in a recognized news publication. Another award will be given to a news organization that exhibits high ethical behavior.

"I was struck by the problems of ethics in the journalism world today," Payne says of his motivation for establishing the gift. "I felt that, perhaps, better ethical practices throughout the profession could be encouraged by illuminating ethical stands taken by individual journalists, especially in difficult situations. For example, a news director who decides to air a story despite potential loss of advertising would be deserving of the award," Payne explained.

Payne is a native Oregonian, the recipient of the UO Pioneer Award and a member of the Journalism Advancement Council. From 1965 to 1970, Payne was the general manager of KGW-TV in Portland, Ore. He served 15 years as the president of King Broadcasting Co. of Portland and Seattle. He resides in Seattle.

Nominations will be accepted from journalists, news organizations and the public. Nomination forms are available through the UO School of Journalism and Communication by calling (541) 346-2134. Articles, tapes or Internet publications and a one-page letter supporting the nomination should accompany the nomination form. When a news organization is nominated for not publishing, the supporting materials should explain the circumstances leading to the nomination. Nominations are due at the School of Journalism and Communication by Jan. 31, 2000.

A panel of judges will be drawn from the UO School of Journalism faculty and alumni, distinguished working journalists and the public. The winners of the student and professional awards will be honored at the annual Ruhl Symposium dinner at the University of Oregon in spring 2000.

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