Interrobang has brought home the award for third place in general excellence (college/university paper) from the 2023 Better Newspapers Competition (BNC) of the Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA).

The award criteria is based on a number of factors, including the quality of the newspaper’s front page, news, opinion, local sports sections, as well as presentation. Interrobang has ranked in the top three in the category of general excellence for the past five consecutive years.

Judge Christina Leadlay of the Hill Times praised Interrobang’s “appealing magazine style” front page, and noted that the inclusion of writers’ pronouns was a “nice touch.” Leadlay also commented on Interrobang’s consistent presentation of sections and photo captions, and praised the relevant choice of themes.

Among the top three college and university newspapers were Et Cetera at Humber College, and The Imprint at the University of Waterloo, who each ranked first and second respectively. Leadlay applauded all three finalists for their creativity.

“There’s no shortage of keen reporters and talented photographers working hard in Ontario’s campus newspapers,” Leadlay said in her general comments. “These entries all share a drive to bring readers the latest community news happening both on campus and in the wider neighbourhood. While there are conventional styles that newspaper readers expect, each paper shows there is room to be creative and unique in their delivery.”

Interrobang would like to extend a thank you to every writer, reporter, illustrator, graphic designer and podcaster who contributed to Interrobang’s third place general excellence win.

Explore the award-winning Volume 55 here.