The Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) are inviting entries in the second WASH Media Awards competition. The 2007/2008 edition solicits print, electronic, and broadcast media submissions on water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) issues from journalists in developing countries with the intention of encouraging broader media coverage of, and increased awareness about, these issues.

Journalists can each submit up to two pieces of work, which can include articles from traditional print or recognised online newspapers, magazines, or journals; radio broadcasts; and television documentaries or reports. Eligible works must be published or broadcast between July 1 2007 and April 30 2008. Articles or broadcasts can be submitted in French, English, or Spanish. In order to submit articles in other languages, they must be translated into one of these three languages.

Prizes will be awarded in each of the three competition languages, with an additional prize awarded for the best entry that deals specifically with issues related to gender and water, sanitation, or hygiene. A ceremony presenting the winning entries will take place at the World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden, in August 2008. Winning journalists will be invited to attend as special guests of WSSCC and SIWI.

Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

1. Originality of subject: capacity of the story to surprise.
2. Quality of content: style, structure, and objectivity of information.
3. Quality of research: thoroughness in researching, compiling, and incorporating relevant information.
4. Working conditions: difficulties the journalist had to cope with while doing the research and producing the story.
5. Relevance of the WASH issues: how well the story links WASH issues to the overall development process.
6. Potential public impact: capacity of the story to have an impact on the general public and political opinion.
7. Proven public impact: the story had a tangible effect on water supply, sanitation, or hygiene policy in the country or locality where and about which it was written.

The WASH Media Awards initiative aims to increase media coverage of WASH issues in developing nations in Central, Southern and East Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Central and South America.

The deadline for application is May 15 2008.

 The WASH Media Award is part of the International Year of Sanitation Activities.

Click here for more information.

Click here to download the entry form in PDF format.

Click here to read about the previous winners.