Student Journalism Competition
The 2010 World Press Freedom Day Student Journalism Competition is now open. Deadline for entries is 11 March.
The World Press Freedom Day Student Journalism Competition is hosted annually by the UK National Commission for UNESCO and the Press Freedom Network.
2010 Topic
“Unregulated political comment online helps the democratic process.”
How will online journalism affect this year’s UK General Election? For good or bad, it is certain the internet will carry more breaking news, more character attacks and more contentious comment than ever before. The bloggers will be busy and their stories, true or not so true, will spread like wildfire. We have also had the arrival, since the last election, of online TV and radio channels, some of them run by newspapers, especially News International’s, which run to heavy political agendas without any regulation or legal requirements on fairness.
Will all this be good for democracy and the fair conduct of the election, or not? Where will it leave the strictly regulated public broadcasting sector?
Entering the Competition
Entrants are required to submit a piece debating the statement, “Unregulated political comment online helps the democratic process.” The entry should be in one of the following fomats:
- A 1,000-word article (strictly only 100 words either side permitted) for publication.
- A 3 minute audio file (strictly only 15 seconds either side permitted) for broadcast.
- A 3 minute video (strictly only 15 seconds either side permitted) for broadcast.
Eligibility
The competition is open to all students currently studying in higher education (at undergraduate or postgraduate level but not at Ph.D. level) in the UK. Entrants are asked to produce an original article or podcast on a particular press freedom issue. The winner is awarded the John Ivinson Memorial Prize for Freedom of Expression and receives a cash prize.
The Prize
A £500 cash prize will be given for the winning entry.
The winner will be presented with The John Ivinson Memorial Prize on 9 April 2010, at the ninth annual UK World Press Freedom Day debate in London. The event, held jointly by the UK National Commission for UNESCO and the Press Freedom Network, brings together journalists, media professionals and distinguished press freedom experts from the UK and abroad.
The John Ivinson Memorial Prize is named in honour of the late John Ivinson who was an active member of the UK National Commission for UNESCO Communication and Information Committee and past president of the British Computing Society. John was involved with the UKNC from its very formation in 2000 and played an active part in the campaign for its reinstatement. He contributed significantly to the development of its remit and programme of work. The prize is subsequently given in his name to commemorate his indelible support for freedom of expression, peace and access to information.
At the global level UNESCO awards the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. Each year the award honours a person, organization or institution that has made an outstanding contribution to the defence and/or promotion of press freedom anywhere in the world, especially when this has been achieved in the face of danger.
Previous Winners of the WPFD Student Jouralism Competition
2009: Is the Western media impeding press freedom in those countries that need it most?
Annabel Symington
- Studies: MA in International Journalism at City University
- Was selected as the recipient of the 2009 John Ivinson Memorial Prize for Freedom of Expression for her article on press coverage of the Gaza conflict in early 2009.
Read Annabel’s winning article.
2008: Is new media killing journalism?
Stuart James Ross
- Studies: MA in Broadcast Journalism at Westminster University
- Stuart was selected as the recipient of the 2008 John Ivinson Memorial Prize for Freedom of Expression for his podcast entry. Following a series of interviews with a media professional, blogger and campaigner, Stuart concludes that “far from killing journalism, new media is helping it to flourish.”
- Stuart blogs at www.stuartjamesross.blogspot.com.
Listen to Stuart’s podcast.
2007: Is world media freedom in retreat?
Lydia Polzer
- Studies: MA in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at the London College of Communication
- Lydia was selected as the winner of the 2007 World Press Freedom Day Student Journalism Competition for her piece on the fall of the Berlin Wall and her subsequent experience with press freedom as an East German resident. Her winning article was published in the Independent on 7 May.
Read Lydia’s article.
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