Free-D, a new campaign to encourage free debate in universities has launched a competition for student journalists.

The campaign, financed by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, in association with the National Union of Students and the Guardian, is calling for written or video submissions that address on of the following issues:

  • Universities and their role in maintaining free debate
  • Human rights
  • The role of students in maintaining free debate
  • Can debate prevent extremism?



The judging panel includes senior Guardian journalists who, according to the guidelines, will assess each article for its relevance, originality and effort to investigate.

Two winners will be selected, one for the article and one for the film; each receiving the prize of a day at the Guardian offices.  Winners will also receive either a Dell Inspiron Mini 12 laptop (for the written piece) or a Sony DCR-SX30E Handycam (for the video).

The deadline for all entries is Saturday May 9 2009.

For further information please visit free-d.org.uk or www.guardian.co.uk/free-d.

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