VLV STUDENT ESSAY COMPETITION Entry Rules

1. The title of the essay for the 2011 VLV Student Essay Competition is:

‘What safeguards, if any, do you think should be in place to protect media pluralism, journalistic integrity, and opportunities for citizens and consumers to make their views known, in the Government’s forthcoming Communications Green Paper? Should anything else be safeguarded in your opinion? Refer to existing legislation and current regulatory, e.g. Ofcom’s, guidelines’.

2. You must be studying for a UK registered undergraduate degree, a postgraduate qualification, or an NCTJ recognised journalism qualification to be eligible to enter the essay competition. VLV Board members, staff and members of the judging panel or members of their families may not enter the competition.

3.  Essays shall be written in English and must not exceed 2,000 words in length.

4. Written essays must be the work of one person.

5.  Written essays must be typed, double-spaced and must be attached to an entry form.

6.  Students must ensure that the entry form is fully completed and signed by themselves and their Course Tutor or Lecturer, and in doing so confirm that the essay submitted is their own work.

7. Essays must be received before 5pm on Wednesday, 1st June 2011 . Entries will not be returned.

8.  All essays must be the original work of the author.

9.  The winner in both categories will receive a cash prize of £400.  For the winner and runner-up in each category there will also be two weeks' work experience with a leading television or radio production company.

10. VLV may publish or distribute the winning essay or essays in any medium, including electronically, after the winning entry is announced.

11. Judging will be by a panel determined by VLV and its decision shall be final.

The VLV Essay Competition Entry Form which must be completed Essay entry form