Essays under 2,000 words are invited on any topic relating to the link between democracy and the media in Canada. Essays should be creative, engaging and provocative and be written in a dynamic, compelling style.
Essays shall be written in English, and not exceed 2,000 words in length, including any editorial content in citations. Essays will be judged on both subject matter and strength of written expression. Avoid technical and academic writing. Creativity and originality in writing styles and expression of ideas are essential.
ELIGIBILITY
Any Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, regardless of age, student or professional status, may enter this essay contest except members of the FRIENDS' Board of Directors, its employees, retained consultants or business associates, and members of the Selection Committee; as well as their immediate family members. Previous winners are ineligible.
Post-secondary students may also enter their essay for a secondary Student Prize. Students who wish to be considered for the additional Student Prize must self-identify at the time of entry in order to be eligible. For purposes of the Prize, a student is defined as someone who is enrolled full-time at a recognized post-secondary institution, at the time of entry or at any time during the same calendar year.
SUBMISSION PROCESS
Essays must be submitted in a Word document through the form on the submission page. The word limit must not exceed 2,000 words in length, including any editorial content in citations. Do not include your name or any information identifying the author on the essay pages besides the cover page. Eligible essays are judged on an anonymous basis.
Entrants assume sole responsibility for the accuracy and veracity of their essay. Direct quotations, borrowed ideas, and factual assertions that are not common knowledge shall be cited to the information source.
An entrant may submit one essay only.
An entry written by more than one person is not eligible.
Pseudonyms are not permitted.
No photographs or other visual images may be submitted.
All ideas in an entry shall be the original written expression of the entrant, save only for attributed quotations, and shall not infringe any third party’s intellectual property rights, violate privacy or publicity rights, or contain any libelous, defamatory, obscene or otherwise unlawful or objectionable content. An entry shall not have previously been published, or submitted elsewhere for publication prior to March 2023.
DEADLINE
To be eligible, essays must be received before 8:00 pm EST (Eastern Time) on January 6, 2023. Entries will be acknowledged with an automated reply following receipt.
FRIENDS will not enter into communication with entrants, other than to acknowledge receipt of an entry at the time of submission.
PRIZE
The Selection Committee will award one prize of $10,000 for the best overall essay from among all eligible entries received.
The Selection Committee will award one additional Student Prize of $2,500 for the best essay submitted by an eligible entrant who at the time of entry is, or at any time during the same calendar year, was a student at a recognized post-secondary institution. Entrants meeting the post-secondary student criterion who wish to be considered for the second prize must self-identify in their submission in order to be eligible. Such entrants must specify the name of their post-secondary institution and may be required to provide proof of status if selected as a winner. If selected, the winner will be required to provide proof of enrollment in order to receive the prize.
FRIENDS may publish the winning essay(s), as well as the name and the biographical sketch submitted by the winning entrant(s), in any medium, including electronically over the Internet, at a time of its choosing after the Award is announced. Each winner is required to grant a licence or assignment to this effect. Winners are also expected, to the best of their ability, to participate in the post-selection process including recording an acceptance video and granting media interviews.
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Awards Available: 2