Student's top press prize
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Solent University journalism graduate and current intern, Hannah Marshall, has won the World Press Freedom Day Student Journalism Competition, hosted annually by the UK National Commission for UNESCO and the Press Freedom Network.
Her 1,000-word essay, 'Unregulated political comment online helps the democratic process', examines the effect of online journalism on the UK General Election.
Hannah – who is studying an MA in Media during her internship at Solent – surpassed competition from higher education students (undergraduate and postgraduate) from all over the UK.
Hannah was awarded the John Ivinson Memorial Prize for Freedom of Expression and a £500 cash prize from Harry Reeves, Secretary General of the UKNC at the ninth annual UK World Press Freedom Day debate in London, attended by top journalists from all over the world.
The award is named in honour of the late John Ivinson, who was an active member of the UK National Commission for UNESCO Communication and Information Committee and past president of the British Computing Society.
“I was very proud to be at the event and to win such a prestigious prize,” said Hannah, who is aiming for a career in journalism.
“The impact of new media is a hot topic in journalism. During the General Election, for instance, there is much debate over how much effect it has on the democratic process.
“I'm very interested in exploring issues of power and democracy in new media. These issues have huge implications for the industry I aspire to work in and my role as a journalist in the future.”
You can read Hannah’s winning article in full at www.unesco.org.uk/winner_of_2010_press_freedom_
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