Do you have what it takes to be a top citizen journalist? Help raise awareness on the global water crisis by lending your voice. Whether you are a college student, an at-home mother, or a professional journalist, Helium encourages you to share your perspective and write.
Helium has partnered with 1H20, a collaborative project between the Knight Center for International Media at the University of Miami and the Independent Television Service (ITVS). Become an expert on the issues and write articles that support a global cause. The top writers will win a 1H20 Citizen Journalism Award, presented by the Knight Center for International Media and ITVS.
About the contest
The 1H20 Citizen Journalism Awards will run for 12 months at Helium. Winners will be picked and new titles featured every four weeks. The titles will be based on the global water crisis, namely the provisioning of safe, potable water. 1H20’s first round of titles will be featured in the project’s newly released motion picture, One Water.
Journalism faculty at the Knight Center will select the award winners from the top 10 highest rated articles on each topic. Winners will be presented with a 1H20 Citizen Journalism Award, presented by the Knight Center. In addition, the Knight Center will select one article each month to award a cash prize.
Get started
- Pick a title: Browse the latest 1H20 titles below. You can also visit 1H20’s partner page at Helium. Pick the issues that inspire you to write.
- Research: Learn more about the global water crisis by visiting 1H20’s website.
- Write: Unleash your inner citizen journalist! Provide unique perspective and write compelling articles. Everyone is invited to write!
Current contest title
This title is now open to contest submissions. The submission deadline is Sunday, July 12.
Past contest titles
This title is no longer open to contest submissions. Check back soon for the winner announcement.
These titles are no longer open to the contest, but you may still write to them.
- How do individual conservation efforts affect worldwide availability of drinking water?
- Are there links between the droughts in California and Argentina, two places that are thousands of miles apart and in distinctly different places on the globe?
- Who is to blame for the contamination of so many of the world’s rivers?
- Can individuals significantly ease the world water crisis, or must we rely on governments, corporations, the United Nations, the European Union and non-profits, for a remedy?
- How does the health of a river affect the vitality of a region?
- How do the programs and actions of corporations compare with what they say about their interest and involvement in the worldwide water crisis?
- Is corporate involvement in the world water crisis good for society?
- With so much water apparently available on the planet, how can there be so many shortages of drinking water?
- How is climate change affecting the provisioning of water to people in the poorest regions of the world?
- What are some examples of corruption involving water and what is the impact of the corruption on people and communities?
- Is access to clean water a basic human right?
Be sure to check out the winners from all of our Citizen Journalism contests!.
About the Knight Center for International Media
The Knight Center for International Media was established in February, 2007 to address the assumption that the world will not solve its most difficult problems unless its people learn to communicate more easily across national borders. The Center is made possible by a major grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s Journalism Initiatives. Learn more about the Knight Foundation.
About 1H20 & One Water
1H2O endeavors to create an international network of journalists and media makers with the purpose of generating the most compelling journalism relating to water and human life.
1H2O is a collaboration between the Knight Center for International Media at the University of Miami and the Independent Television Service (ITVS). Its goal to provide opportunities internationally for the creation of media, aimed at generating worldwide awareness about the challenges facing the planet with regard to the provisioning of safe potable water. 1H2O is made possible by major funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and will enable journalists from around the world to tell stories about the challenges relating to water. This effort will also help in the creation of public television programming in developing countries around the world. Learn more about 1H20.
One Water is a global film about the state of potable water. The feature length film was shot in 16 countries around the world. It addresses the evolving worldwide situation with access to clean and safe water. One Water explores the problems and their solutions, present and projected. The connection of human life to water biologically, as well as culturally, will for the basis for visual storytelling. Learn more about One Water.
About the Independent Television Service (ITVS)
The Independent Television Service (ITVS) brings to local, national and international audiences high-quality, content-rich programs created by a diverse body of independent producers. ITVS programs take creative risks, explore complex issues, and express points of view seldom seen on commercial or public television. ITVS programming reflects voices and visions of underrepresented communities and addresses the needs of underserved audiences. ITVS is the largest content provider of independent documentaries for public television. Learn more about ITVS.
