The Society of Professional Journalists believes that the American people need to understand and be informed about the issues in order to make decisions that impact their lives. Journalists provide this information in an accurate, comprehensive, timely and understandable manner.

To encourage high school students to think about these important concepts they are sponsoring the Society of Professional Journalists Freedom of the Press High School Essay Contest. To compete, you must write a 300-500 word essay.

2016 Essay Topic:

“Why is it important that we have news media that are independent of the government?”

Judging:

• Material Organization (Logical interpretation of the subject, adherence to topic): 40 points
• Vocabulary and Style (Phrasing and continuity): 30 points
• Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling: 20 points
• Neatness: 5 points
• Adherence to contest rules (prepared in the proper format): 5 points

Eligibility:

• The Society of Professional Journalists Freedom of the Press High School Essay Contest is divided into two levels of competition: Chapter and National. All first place winners selected at the chapter level are forwarded to the national competition.
• Contestants must enter through SPJ National Headquarters.
• All entries received at SPJ National Headquarters will be forwarded on to the appropriate participating chapter.
• Contestants must compose an original essay with limited guidance from others.
• The Society of Professional Journalists will have the right to edit, publish or otherwise duplicate any essay entered into the contest without payment to the author.
• Due to the volume of entries received, only national winners will be contacted with the results.
• The entry fee for this contest is $5.00 per essay

Check out other essay contests for which you may be eligible.

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