WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The NAB Education Foundation (NABEF) and the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) are proud to announce today, on Constitution Day, the winners of the annual Freedom of Speech public service announcement (PSA) competition for college communications students. The first-place winners in the radio and television categories will be recognized during the Excellence in Journalism, Student Union event at the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) National Journalism Conference in Fort Lauderdale.
A record of nearly 200 communications students from across the country competed in the 2012 Freedom of Speech PSA contest, which called for 30-second spots that creatively address "What freedom of speech means to me." The winning entries are:
Television Category
1st Place: Jade Bly, Stephen F. Austin State University
Bly's PSA shows a series of young adults, each with a phrase written on the palm of their hand that unfold in succession, “His Words, Her Words, Our Words, Their Words, My Words.” Through a catchy mix of colors and expressions, her video about speech does not use speech, subtly revealing the many facets of free expression.
2nd Place: Brady Keezer, New England School of Communications
According to Keezer, "‘How to Change the World’ is a kinetic typography piece that expresses the use of my freedom of speech by animating text on screen. By doing this, I try to inspire the viewers to use their freedom of speech in a positive way and if you do that, you can have such a positive affect that you can change the world.”
3rd Place: Hailee Palony, Minnesota State University – Moorhead
Palony's PSA discusses the questions surrounding censorship. “What If…” asks viewers to imagine what life would be like without the freedom to create, express one’s religion, art, love, voice and dreams.
Radio Category
1st Place: BreAnna Holmes and Iveon Sprangle, Winston-Salem State University
Holmes and Sprangle created a spoken-word PSA that asks “What Is [Free] Speech?” It finds the answer in “my mouth, my tongue, my 32 teeth,” all the while artistically pointing out that in free speech, genre does not matter.
2nd Place: Allie Volpe and Joe Mineo, Rowan University
Volpe and Mineo’s “Freedom of Speech Means...” introduces an idea of responsibility by claiming that “As long as it’s not hurting anyone, whatever I say, I have the freedom of speech." This, together with the controversial nature of some statements in the PSA such as ‘I want change in my government,’ raises the question of provocation and limits.
3rd place: Heather Mead, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Mead's PSA suggests that freedom of speech has many venues of expression in today’s world. In “My Voice Matters,” a solitary voice speaks about politics, philosophy, sports, blogging, singing, whispering and expresses, “I have a voice that matters. We all do. So speak up.”
The Freedom of Speech PSA contest was presented by NABEF and BEA with major funding from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.Winning PSAs may be viewed on the NABEF Freedom of Speech Website and downloaded from www.nabspotcenter.org, under the NAB Freedom of Speech folder. Stations are encouraged to run these spots on Free Speech Week, October 22-28.
About NABEF
The NAB Education Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to
reinforcing the future of broadcasting through a commitment to education
and to advancing excellence in the diversity and community service efforts
of our industry.Learn
more at www.nabef.org.
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
