By Betsy Model, President
A media innovation contest is accepting project proposals that utilize open-source technology and distribute news in the public interest. The deadline for submissions is December 1 and winners will be announced in June 2011.
The Knight News Challenge, sponsored by the Knight Foundation, funds marketing and promotion of a media project, as well as implementation. Proposals must fall into one of four categories: mobile delivery, evaluating authenticity of news, economic sustainability or geographically designated communities. The fifth year of the contest opens for entries Oct. 25 and closes Dec. 1. Individuals, schools, nonprofits, governments and businesses all may enter.
Through the Mobile category, the 2011 News Challenge seeks innovative ideas for news and information on all types of mobile communication devices. In the Authenticity category, the contest offers funding for projects that help people better understand the reliability of news and information sources. The Sustainability category is for consideration of new economic models supporting news and information that helps citizens run their communities and their lives. The Community category seeks groundbreaking technologies that support news and information specifically within defined geographic areas.
In the Mobile, Authenticity and Sustainability categories, the foundation prefers media innovation entries with a community focus, Bracken said. However, in the Community category a place-based focus is an absolute requirement. Entries have to detail in what specific geographic community the media innovation will be tested.
Software produced by the contest winners has to be open-source.
To apply visit www.newschallenge.org or follow @knightfdn and #knc on Twitter. The competition is open to nonprofits, for-profits and individuals. For more information, click here.