The 2008 APME International Perspective Awards will be given to Associated Press and Canadian Press member newspapers for outstanding coverage of international news for local readers.

These awards recognize newspapers that provide effective and thoughtful coverage of world events for a local audience. This could be reflected in coverage from the newspaper's own foreign staff; consistent, discriminating selection of news agency and syndicate material with an eye to overall importance, the quality of writing and the specific interests of the local community; locally produced stories tracing the international connections of people, businesses and other organizations in the newspaper's circulation area; articles about, or by, local people living or traveling abroad; and the effective use of local experts to provide background on international developments.

Nominations may be made by a newspaper itself, by other newspapers, by AP bureaus or by civic or cultural organizations for work published between July 1, 2007, and May 31, 2008.

There shall be three awards: one for newspapers with average daily circulation to 39,999; one to newspapers with average daily circulation of 40,000 to 149,999; another to newspapers of 150,000 average daily circulation or more, according to the latest audited figures. APME reserves the right to decline to award a winner in any category.

Only newspapers are eligible to submit entries except that bureau work may be entered by a single newspaper for judging in the 150,000-and-over circulation category regardless of the size of the paper in which the work appears.

All entries will be accepted online at www.omnicontests3.com/apme/omnicontests

An entry can include electronic files of stories, series and/or editorials and community reaction. The files should include proof of publication date. A total of 20 files may be uploaded, and should include a letter with a description of the newspaper's criteria and philosophy for internationally related coverage. The letter also should discuss any accomplishments resulting from the coverage. It should also discuss significant challenges to the accuracy or approach of the entry, and steps the newspaper took to address those concerns. Published corrections or clarifications must be included.

Questions should be directed to:

Entries must be submitted online by June 2, 2008, to be assessed the normal entry fee, or by June 9, 2008 for an additional $10 assessment.

A $75 contest fee ($50 for current APME Supporting Members) will be assessed entries submitted by June 2. Entries submitted between June 2 and June 9 will be assessed an $85 fee.

Follow information on the online application to submit payment by credit card or to send a check.

(For more on APME Supporting Membership go to the APME Web site: www.apme.com/membership).

Judging will be done by a committee appointed by the president of APME and to include an international editor of The Associated Press and other experts on international news. Winners will be announced a short time later and recognized at the APME annual conference in Las Vegas Sept. 8-11, 2008.

Over 150,000 circulation

The Dallas Morning News for "Yolanda's Crossing," a narrative series about the sexual abuse and exploitation of immigrant children.

40,000 to 150,000 circulation

The Post and Courier of Charleston, S.C., for "The China Effect," an in-depth series on the rise of China and its many effects on local readers.