The contest is open to all TV, radio, newspaper, and internet journalists based in Uzbekistan. Regional journalists are especially encouraged to participate.

Successful media reports will feature a US-related theme which could include, but are not limited to: developments in education, culture, foreign policy, trade, business, people-to-people relations, the arts, etc. Both factual and opinion pieces can be submitted in Uzbek, Russian and/or English.

For a media report to be considered in the contest, applicants should submit their within 10 days of when the report is broadcast/printed, but no later than Tuesday, 1 December 2009:

US Embassy representatives will select the top submissions. The prizes will be presented at the December 2009 PressGap.

The media reports will be judged based on how successfully they demonstrate thoughtful, well-researched, balanced reporting, develop convincing arguments supported with specific examples and/or facts, communicate ideas clearly, are written in a compelling and original manner and deepen Uzbek audiences’ understanding of the United States.