VLV 2009 STUDENT ESSAY COMPETITION WINNERS

In association with Channel 4 Television

Voice of the Listener & Viewer (VLV) announced the winners of its fourth Student Essay Competition in association with Channel 4. Details of the winners are in the Winter VLV Bulletin No 99. More information

Competition Information

The Competition is supported by The Voice of the Listener Trust. Winning entrants in the two categories each received £250. The two winners and the two runners-up were also be given the opportunity to enjoy two weeks work experience with the leading television production companies:  Films of Record Ltd, Ragdoll Productions, Scottish Television and Tiger Aspect Productions.

Jon Snow, presenter of Channel 4 news, pictured, led the judging panel.

Broadcasting is changing more rapidly than ever before. Digital television and broadband have already brought an explosion of new services which threaten the survivial of the commercially funded public service broadcasters ITV, Channel 4 and Five, with implications for the BBC.  At the same time, new technology enables more and more people to generate their own content through podcasts, blogs and vlogs.  So, does the concept of public service broadcasting any longer have meaning?

VLV invited entries for its 2009 Student Essay Competition from students studying for a UK registered undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or similar professional qualifications, on the following subject:

"What is important about public service broadcasting and how should it be funded in the 21st century?"

Entries to be submitted as a written essay of a maximum of 2,000 words.

The closing date for entries was Monday 1st June 2009.  There was no entry fee.

VLV Chairman Richard Lindley, "This is VLV's fourth annual essay competition.  Previous competitions have attracted entries from students across the UK and we were very pleased with the standard they set.  This year we are again grateful to Channel 4 for providing the cash prizes and delighted that Jon Snow has again kindly lead the judging panel.  The competition offers students the chance not only to win a useful cash prize but also a valuable opportunity for work experience, and we look forward to a large entry."

The winners received their Awards from Alex Thomson, Channel Four's Chief Correspondent, during VLV's 26th Annual Autumn Conference 'End of the BBC's Licence Fee Monopoly' held on Thursday, 26th November 2009 at the Geological Society, Piccadilly, London W1 (report)

Winners - Postgraduate - Jean Mackenzie (essay)           Runner-up - Postgraduate - Jonathan Crane (essay)

                 - Undergraduate - Priya Kharbanda (essay)                           - Undergraduate - Leanne Rinne (essay)                                                                                      

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