Virginia Tech Video Wins BOP Award

A film of students and families saying thanks to the world has been recognised at this year’s Best of Photojournalism (BOP) Awards.

The video from the Roanoke Times came first in the small newspaper website category for Best News Video.

Virginia Tech Thanks The World captures the moment when thousands of students, relatives and local residents gathered on a sports field to send a global message via a passing imaging satellite.

The Roanoke Times also took the title’s second prize for its First In Line On Black Friday video, which showed what people do to pass the time when they’re queuing overnight for bargains at the Best Buy store.

Also recognised by the judging panel was the Oakland Tribune for its Caltrans Worker Safety film.

First prize in the large newspaper website category went to the Detroit Free Press for its coverage of an anti-war protest, with the New York Times and San Antonio Express-News also honoured.

The BOP awards are now in their seventh year and are presented by the National Press Photographers Association.