Fundamentals of Freedom: 2011 Asia Essay Contest

The Fund for American Studies Announces Essay Contest Winners!

We received numerous submissions from 12 different countries in Asia including Nepal, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia and India. The winning authors demonstrated a strong understanding of the role of social media in their country using examples to highlight both the positive and negative aspects in overcoming press and speech censorship. The winning authors and their essays are featured below.

Thank you to everyone who participated and congratulations to the winners!
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For the third annual TFAS Asia Essay Contest, contestants were asked to address the following questions on the topic of Social Media and Citizen Journalism:

With the advent of citizen journalism and social media, how have these tools changed the role of journalism in your society?

Have these tools improved the ethical standard and accuracy of reporting in your society? Have these new technologies allowed citizens a greater voice in the media? Has social media changed the way we, as individuals, gather information? Please use examples from your own country or another country in Asia to illustrate your argument.

To view bios of the members of the panel of judges, please click here.

Congratulations to the winners!

First Place

Citizen Journalism in China: Advancing Liberty and Justice

Sebastian Castaneda, Hong Kong

Second Place

Your Attention, Please: Social Media as an Inciter of Awareness, Discourse and Action in Journalism and Everyday Life

Tiffany Lim, Philippines

Third Place

The Role of Social Media and Citizen Journalism

Surath Giri, Nepal