Maria Saporta & SaportaReport win 2017 Outstanding Public Outreach & Journalism Award

This week Maria Saporta and the SaportaReport were honored to receive the 2017 Outstanding Public Outreach & Journalism Award from the American Planning Association Georgia Chapter.

The award recognizes an initiative illustrating how a region or community involves the general public in a planning activity, above and beyond the minimum state or local requirements

This category emphasizes successful efforts to engage the public, as well as programs to raise the overall level of understanding of planning, economic development, environmental, or integrated issues. Nominations should demonstrate the role of outreach and public education in improving planning results, and may include initiatives such as media programs, newsletters, consensus building, interactive systems, electronic participation, audio and video programs, and similar efforts. This category also recognizes journalism that demonstrates excellence in the analysis and description of planning issues in a community or throughout the State of Georgia. Journalism nominations must have appeared in publications of general circulation or in specialized circulation statewide.

Focus Criteria: Strong effort to solicit public participation, demonstration of equity, use of technology, and demonstration of collaboration and partnerships