IPN Announces 2009 Bastiat Prize Competition

Human freedom is of paramount importance, yet it is under attack around the world.
For the eighth year, International Policy Network (IPN), a global think tank based in London , is accepting submissions for its annual Bastiat Prize for Journalism. The Prize is open to writers anywhere in the world whose published articles eloquently and wittily explain, promote and defend the principles and institutions of the free society.

Submissions must be received on or before 30 June, 2009.

New Prize for Online Journalism

This year, IPN will award two prizes. In addition to the Bastiat Prize for Journalism (First - $10,000; Second - $4,000; Third - $1,000), we will award a Bastiat Prize for Online Journalism (one winner only, $3,000).

"Given the increasing cultural and political importance of new media, we felt that online journalism merits its own Bastiat Prize," said Julian Morris, Executive Director of IPN.

Entrants are allowed to compete in just one (not both) of the competitions, and are limited to writings in English. More information:

Rules for 2009 Bastiat Prize for Journalism.

The Bastiat Prize is open to all writers, anywhere in the world; writers need not be full time journalists or associated with any specific publication.

The total prize fund is $18,000, divided between the Bastiat Prize for Journalism competition with first ($10,000), second ($4,000) and third ($1,000) prize winners, and a new Bastiat Prize for Online Journalism competition with one ($3,000) prize winner.

Entrants may not enter both competitions in the same year. Thus, entrants to the 2009 Bastiat Prize for Journalism (“BPJ”) may not enter the 2009 Bastiat Prize for Online Journalism.

All articles entered for the BPJ must have been published in print or online (or both).

Articles may comprise or include the text of a radio or television broadcast if that text has been published in print or online.

Self-published articles and articles published only in weblogs (“blogs”) will not be accepted for the BPJ. (Authors of such articles are encouraged to enter the Bastiat Prize for Online Journalism.)

In the case of a question about the legitimacy of an article, the author will be consulted and a final decision will be made by the prize administrators, including the Chairman of International Policy Network.

Up to three articles may be submitted for the BPJ.

Entries must not exceed 4500 words in total.

Articles must be written and published in English.

Articles must have been published for the first time between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2009.

Entries must state clearly the name of the publication where each article appeared and the date each article was published.

Consideration will be given to the articles on the following criteria: intellectual coherence; persuasiveness; wit and relevance; clarity and simplicity; wider impact.

Authors must nominate themselves, although submissions may be made by an assistant on the author's behalf with his/her consent.

Entries can be submitted in the following ways:
Online, through the BPJ entry form on IPN's website.

If the articles are online, they must freely available to view without registration or a password at the relevant website. If not, electronic copies (in .txt, .rtf, or .pdf format) must be uploaded through the submission form or emailed to IPN.
Email: bastiatprize AT policynetwork DOT net

Files should be attached to the email. Entrants should provide the information requested in the Bastiat Prize Submission Form (download PDF).
Fax: + 44 20 3393 8411

Submissions by fax must print, complete and send a Bastiat Prize Submission Form (download PDF)

If submissions are sent by fax, they must also be sent by post along with the submission form.

Post: IPN, Rooms 200-205, Temple Chambers, 3-7 Temple Avenue, London EC4Y 0HP, United Kingdom.

Please print and complete a Bastiat Prize Submission Form (download PDF), and send this along with your entry.

Entries may be submitted from 11 May 2009. Entries must be received (or postmarked) on or before 30 June 2009. Submissions must include an up to date telephone number, email address, and mailing address, and state clearly whether they are for the print or online competitions.

The finalists’ articles will be sent to the judges (a list of judges will be available on IPN's website).

The decision of the judges and IPN will be final.

Finalists will be invited to a prize dinner in New York City in October 2009. (While attendance is encouraged, it is not obligatory to receive the prize.)

Staff, Directors and Trustees of International Policy Network, Judges of the Bastiat Prize, and their respective immediate family are not eligible for the BPJ.

Articles commissioned, edited and/or distributed/placed by IPN are not eligible for the BPJ.

Winners of cash awards from previous Bastiat Prize competitions are not eligible for the prize in the three years following their win.

Finalists will be invited to a ceremony in New York in October 2009, where the winners will be announced.

ONLINE VERSION of this announcement: http://eepurl.com/bgDI