3rd Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards accepting entries

CEBU, Philippines - The Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards is now open on its third year of giving recognition to journalists of all kinds whose works have contributed in the promotion of agriculture in the country.

Filipino journalists who are 18 years old and above, and who are residing in the Philippines, are called to participate by sending their original outputs either in print, broadcast, or other media published or aired from June 15, 2008 to May 15, this year.

Participation is free of charge and that entries submitted must have been published or aired first in a Philippine publication or television and radio networks.

Entries can either be news, feature, and photographs with content that must focus on Philippine agriculture.

Specifically, stories must have been made to propagate, promote and create awareness on practices which conserve the environment, encourage worker safety or support sustainable development.

Entries must fall into either of the 10 award categories which are the Agriculture Story of the Year, Tobacco Story of the Year, Agriculture Photo of the Year, Tobacco Photo of the Year, and Best News Story in the regional and national levels.

There is also the Best Feature Story both in the regional and national levels including Best Agriculture Radio Program or segment, and Best Agriculture TV Program or segment.

Deadline for submission of entries is at 7 p.m. of May 15. There is no limit to the number of entries a contestant may submit, however, he/she may win only once and in only one category.

Entries must be submitted to The Bright Leaf Secretariat, M2.0 Communications Office at 94 Scout Castor Street, barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City.

The Bright Leaf Awards, since its inception in 2007, has awarded some very insightful and excellent journalistic works that tackled agricultural concerns.

It seeks to promote journalistic excellence in the field of agriculture. It aims to recognize people in the media who have endeavored to increase public awareness in important subjects such as agricultural best practices, new technologies, social problems in agriculture, and other related topics.

Moreover, this year’s Bright Leaf Awards tries to address the current social, economic and financial condition in the global setting.

“In a developing country with a set against a global economic and financial slowdown with worsening social conditions and other concerns such as climate change, the mission of raising awareness on key agricultural issues is more relevant than ever,” according to Bright Leaf. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/MEEV      (THE FREEMAN)