Prove yourself as a student journalist award

THE INDEPENDENT today launches its search to discover the starjournalists of tomorrow.

The National Student Journalism Awards, run in conjunction withthe National Union of Students, will recognise the wealth of newtalent that currently produces hundreds of newspapers, magazines andwebsites across the country.

Eleven prestigious prizes will give the cream of Britain's youngwriters, editors, photographers, critics and designers theopportunity to experience life on this country's most excitingquality newspaper.Sitting in judgement will be a distinguished panel of experts.They include Simon Kelner, editor of The Independent, Peter Wilby,editor of the New Statesman, and David Aaronovitch, broadcaster,columnist and former NUS president. The panel will also include thecurrent president of the NUS, Andrew Pakes, and former studenteditors, who will be looking for publications and stories that arerelevant to students today.The awards will recognise the best student newspaper, magazine andwebsite, as well as the best reporter, photographer and featurewriter.Judges will also be looking for the best student arts and sportsjournalist and the best small-budget publication - to see what anenthusiastic band of part-timers can squeeze from a budget of lessthan pounds 5,000.There will be an award for the best designer, reflecting TheIndependent's role in transforming the look of British qualitynewspapers. The best campaign will also be rewarded, to acknowledgea paper, magazine or website that fights for its readers.Student journalism has boomed in the last decade. There are nowmore than 250 college newspapers and magazines around the country,with a combined circulation that runs into hundreds of thousands.Thousands of students try writing, photography and production -student journalism is second only to sport in its popularity oncampus.This wealth of publications represents a vital training-ground,producing Fleet Street editors and other senior figures innewspapers, magazines, TV and radio. Internet publishing is anotherhuge growth area, with student websites challenging professionalpublications at the cutting edge of communications in cyberspace.The largest student publications have circulation figures to equalthose of professional local papers, and big budgets to match. Butthere are also hundreds of enterprising small-budget magazines andnews-sheets, ranging from a few photocopied pages upwards, puttogether by dedicated souls on a shoestring budget.Simon Kelner, editor of The Independent, says: "Exciting ideas andnew talent are the lifeblood of a newspaper like The Independent. Wewant to recognise all that is best in the diverse world of studentjournalism."The Independent, with its indispensable Ucas service andunrivalled education and media coverage, already offers the bestinformation, entertainment and comment to students across Britain."Andrew Pakes, NUS president, adds: "The programme will be student-led and will encourage the participation of everyone who is involvedwith the many different types of student journalism."The categories for campaigns, arts and sports writers will beespecially welcome, but best of all will be the small budgetcategory. Now all students can participate in a competition for thebest of UK student journalism."Andrew Pakes is enthusiastic about the competition: "The newpartnership between the NUS and The Independent is going to bringforth an exciting awards scheme which will offer recognition to allthose working in student journalism."CATEGORIESBest student newspaperWhat we are looking for: the essential read. A paper packed withinterest and ideas from cover to cover, which serves its readers. Wewant to see the best mix of consistently strong news coverage,innovative, interesting and relevant arts, sports, listings,photography and features.Best student magazineWhat we are looking for: brilliant writing, fresh ideas,compelling design, photography and layout put together with pace andverve.Best small-budget publicationWhat we are looking for: Mission Impossible - the team thatsqueezes a quart out of a pint pot. We are looking for a newspaper,news-sheet or magazine bursting with life and good thinking, whichhas the edge by having big ideas, rather than big bucks.Best student websiteWhat we are looking for: an original website - not a newspaperspin-off - which pushes the boundaries of this exciting new medium.Web publishing is still in its early days, so we want to see websiteswith the ambition to be at the cutting edge and to offer a realalternative to print and broadcasting.Best student reporterWhat we want to see: the wow factor - a string of compellingstories, solidly researched and well written, which connect with thereaders. You may have a brilliant scoop or expose that was picked upby the local and national media, or you may have plugged away at astory of vital concern to students at your college or university.Best student feature writerWhat we want to see: the ability to open a window on another worldand hold the readers' interest. We want to see wit, colour, detailand the ability to entertain and inform, whatever the subject.Best student arts journalistWhat we want to see: star writers whose reviews, interviews,previews and features really speak their mind. We want wit, wisdomand insight that really shine out, whether it's a big-name interviewor a tiny, no- hope band.Best student sports journalistWhat we want to see: student sports brought to life; all the agonyand ecstasy on and off the pitch - the results, the intrigue and thedrama that make the back page as good as the front.Best student photographerWhat we want to see: pictures that make people pick up thenewspaper or magazine - and read on. We want to see photographerswith an eye for the unusual and the off-beat who can bring pages tolife.Best student publication designerWhat we want to see: an unmissable look - instantly recognisable,but still clean, logical and easy to read, with a good use ofpictures and graphics that really "sell" the contents.Best student campaignWhat we want to see: vital issues for students, translated intoaction. Have you fought for changes on campus, exposed wrongdoing orrisks? We want to see clear campaigns, worthwhile objectives andwell-developed coverage to get people thinking and change minds.HOW TO ENTERALL STUDENT journalists and publications are invited to enter the1999 National Student Journalism Awards.The awards will be officially launched at NUS conference nextweek.Eleven categories have been drawn up to recognise the very best ofstudent journalism - the strongest ideas, the most innovativepublications and the best writing, pictures and layout.Entries in the 11 categories will be judged by a distinguishedpanel of experts from the world of print, including journalists fromThe Independent, former student editors, broadcasters and seniorfigures from a host of national magazines.Winning individuals or publications, to be announced at the annualNUS student media conference in the autumn, will each receive pounds400. Winning individuals and one nominated journalist from winningpublications qualify for two weeks' work experience at TheIndependent in London.To enter:Pick up an application form from your student union or from theNational Union of Students, Nelson Mandela House, 461 Holloway Road,London N7 6LJ.l Submit the very best examples of your work (see form for detailsof each category).l Send in your applications before 31 July, 1999.The shortlist will be published at the end of September. Noentries will be accepted from professional journalists.THE PANEL OF JUDGESSimonKelnerEditor ofThe IndependentDavidAaronovitchIndependentColumnist andBroadcasterCatherinePepinsterAssistant EditorThe Independenton SundayPeterWilbyEditor ofNew StatesmanAndrewPakesNUSNationalPresident