New Zealand Skeptics' 1988 Media Awards

- 1 February 1989

The New Zealand Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (Inc.) seeks nominations for its annual journalism/media awards for 1987-1988. Awards will be presented at the annual meeting of the Committee, held this year at the University of Auckland, August 20-21.

Bent Spoon Award: Given for the most cynical, uncritical, or absurdly gullible reportage in the realm of psychic or paranormal phenomena, fringe medicine, or pseudoscience. Consider letting us know of work which may have appeared in rival publications, or work produced by sworn personal enemies. We are again this year especially interested in examining credulous reports on “alternative” medicine. Last year’s top winner: The New Zealand Truth for an article on a “psychic’s” claim to locate the body of a dead child.

Excellence Awards: Presented to the writer or producer of the best critical or investigative reportage on a paranormal topic. Self-nominations welcome. Last year’s winners: Howard Warner of the Evening Post, Tina-Marie Nixon of Radio Otago, Michael Fallow of the Southland Times, and Sue Kedgley of the Dominion.

Please send nominations—with cuttings, photocopies, or audio/video tapes—to Dr. Denis Dutton, Chairman, New Zealand Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, University of Canterbury, Christchurch.