Sunshine Week has partnered with Helium to bring you the Sunshine Week Citizen Journalism Awards. This is your opportunity to think like a journalist and write about open government issues. Help raise awareness about the importance of government transparency by writing unique, compelling articles. You could be recognized as a Sunshine Week Citizen Journalist and become eligible for the grand prize awarded during Sunshine Week 2009.
About the contest
The assignment: Sunshine Week will feature one new title each month. Follow Sunshine Week’s article guidelines, research the featured topic and write a compelling article for your chance to win.
The awards: Sunshine Week will pick one winning article each month. The winning writer will receive a Sunshine Week Citizen Journalism Award and recognition on Sunshine Week’s website and social networking sites.
Each monthly winner will automatically be in the running for the grand prize, to be presented during Sunshine Week 2009, March 15-21, when news organizations, schools, libraries, civic groups, government officials and others take time to talk about the importance of open government.
Get started
- Pick a title: See Sunshine Week’s current essay contest title below. You can also visit Sunshine Week’s partner page at Helium to learn more about its mission and to write to more (noncontest) titles.
- Research: Follow Sunshine Week’s article guidelines:
- Write: Write a unique article in 1,000 words or less. The issue can be addressed at the national, state or local level.
As the race for the presidency intensifies, candidates continue to seek ways to resonate with voters on the issues important to them. A recent Scripps Howard News Service-Ohio University poll conducted for Sunshine Week showed that nearly 9 in 10 adults say it’s important to know where presidential candidates stand on open government, yet the two Democrats and one Republican left standing have said little on the campaign trail about their open government views.
In 1,000 words or less, using original research and information found on the Sunshine Week website, make the case for why this strategic decision makes sense or why candidates may be missing an opportunity to connect with voters on this issue.
Current contest title
This contest will remain active through Friday, May 30, at noon.
