NewsOK.com honored as one of the top 12 newspaper Web sites in the world

NewsOK.com, The Oklahoman's Web site, has been named as one of the top 12 newspaper Web sites in the world by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.

The site was named an "Official Honoree" in the Newspaper category.

"As a result of the exceptional quality of submissions this year, the academy has recognized outstanding entries as Official Honorees alongside our Nominees and Winners. The Official Honoree distinction is awarded to the top 15 percent of all work entered that exhibits remarkable achievement," academy Executive Director David-Michel Davies wrote in his congratulatory announcement this morning.

Davies also noted that the 2009 Webby Awards received nearly 10,000 entries from all 50 states and 60 countries.

NewsOK was included with newspaper Web sites that were among the honorable mention winners. Others were the New York Daily News, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Jewish Daily Forward, The Washington Times and Telegraph Media Group (The Daily and Sunday Telegraph).

Nominees or finalists for the overall newspaper award are Web sites for The Guardian, The New York Times, The New York Observer, The Independent and The Times (of London).

According to the academy's Web site at www.webbyawards.com, The New York Times has called the award the "Internet's highest honor," and The Wall Street Journal has said the awards "celebrate sites that pave important paths to the Internet's next phase."

The 13th Annual Webby Awards will be presented June 8 in New York City.