Fred Ross Systemic Change Journalism Competition

Overview

The future of truth, democracy and the ability to achieve holistic, long-term systemic change requires developing the skills of young journalists to recognize the difference between a “quick fix” and lasting change. Understanding the role that journalism plays in protecting and preserving essential democratic values, the Foundation for Systemic Change (FSC), in partnership with the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), created The Fred Ross Systemic Change  Journalism Competition for young journalists whose work includes reporting on tangible, systemic strategies being employed in their communities to fully address today’s seemingly intractable challenges- whether climate change, violence and hate, polarization, LGBTQ+ issues, threatened democracy and other complex issues.

This contest encourages high school journalists to report on the systemic change taking place in their own communities by providing mentorship to those who choose to compete, and a monetary prize to three student journalists reporting in print, broadcast or mixed media. With this contest, our goal is to prepare the next generation of journalists to better assess whether proposed and promised change is merely a band-aid or is indeed strategic, systemic and sustainable.

In its second year, the competition will now accept submissions for the 23-24 academic year, with entries to be submitted in June 2024, in conjunction with NSPA’s Individual Awards competition. Winners will be announced at the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention, Nov. 7-10, 2024, in Philadelphia.

To bolster the reporting competition, the Foundation offers online workshops and industry-recognized advisers for student journalists who consider participating. Sign up for 2023-2024 mentorship opportunities now! Sign up here.

Apply Now!

1st, 2nd, 3rd place winners will be awarded cash prizes $1,000, $500 and $250 respectively and featured at the NSPA Annual Conference and in NSPA publications, website, social media and also on the FSC website. Honorable mention finalists will receive mention in NSPA media. Contest submissions will be accepted through June 2024.

Submit your reporting on systemic change below. Stories should answer these two questions:

• What is the complex challenge that requires systemic change?

• How is the person(s)/organization you’re covering attempting to address the challenge in a systemic manner?

Judges will first read, view, listen to all entries submitted, rate them according to a pre-approved system and then meet to discuss finalists and select winners. Judges will include FSC founder, John Heffernan, a NSPA leader, and a journalist.

Fred Ross and Dolores Huerta

Named after the remarkable grassroots organizer who trained and mentored iconic leaders like Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, Fred Ross dedicated his life to organizing working men and women to better help themselves. Ross demonstrated how to channel anger and frustration into building member-led movements to change institutions and policies in meaningful ways that improve lives. He worked from the understanding that persistence and organization are required in order to build power and give people a voice in the decisions that shape their lives.

Through a new documentary that illustrates the ways in which organized collective action can combat racism, bigotry, and greed,The Fred Ross Project (FRP) seeks to inspire a new generation of activists.