The Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) is celebrating the Year of the Student Journalist with the launch of an award to recognize the nation's finest environmental journalism produced by student reporters.

The Student Press Law Center and the Freedom Forum Institute/Newseum have forged an exciting partnership, declaring 2019 as the Year of the Student Journalist.

"That makes this year the perfect time to launch an annual recognition of the best student environmental reporting," said SEJ executive director Meaghan Parker.

There are three main goals of the Year of the Student Journalist:

1. Raise awareness of the vital work and impact of student journalists as they report on their schools and communities (including the important role they play filling gaps in news deserts.)
2. Highlight the challenges student journalists face as they are confronted with censorship and prior review policies.
3. Showcase the contribution of journalism education to engaged civic life.

Visit the 2019 Year of the Student Journalist website for more information, events and ways to get involved.

 

SEJ initiatives:

• Our annual Awards for Reporting on the Environment has a new student category, the Ray Reece "Excellence in Environmental Journalism" Student Award. First-place winner receives $500, trophy and a certificate (and is automatically entered into the Pulliam award judging for $10,000). 2nd place: $250 and a certificate. 3rd place and honorable mentions will receive a certificate. In addition, the first, second and third place winner(s) (or selected representative, if a group project) will receive travel and registration expenses to receive the award at a luncheon during SEJ's 29th Annual Conference in Fort Collins, October 9-13, 2019, and to attend the five-day conference. Deadline: April 1, 2019, 11:59 your local time.
• SEJournal Online's EJ Academy is a quarterly column for environmental journalism students and educators to explore best practices and insights into EJ education.
• SEJ's compilation of graduate education in environmental journalism, as well as scholarships for journalism education.
• Young Journalists and the News lists upcoming and recurring opportunities including awards contests, fellowships and more — many are for students.
• Stay tuned for more as the year progresses.

 

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