Editorial: Best Citizen Journalism November 2005

Congratulations to finalist Allan Shore, and Honarable Mentions Charu Bahri, Rebecca-Lippett Long, and Cortney Philip. Shore wins a $50 bonus, Honorable Mentions receive a $25 dollar bonus.

• Deal with local subjects
• Are written compellingly
• Are about something remarkable
• Are well researched and accurate pieces of journalism
• Contain original quotes that can only be gleaned from a one-on-one interview
• Cover events likely to be overlooked by other news organizations
• Are uplifting and inspirational

Pew study finds young are creative doers and thinkers on the Internet

By Allan Shore

A major goal at HappyNews is to enlighten our readers so that when they leave our site, they feel they have they have learned something new about the world we live in. We hope this new knowledge provides readers with a sense of hope and/or confidence in the future of our planet and the generations that will inherit it. Allan Shore's article, Pew study finds young are creative doers and thinkers on the Internet, investigates the wide path youth are paving for their future in the world of online blogging and Internet creativity. A place foreign to many inhabiting the pen and paper world of earlier generations, Shore examines how this electronic environment is playing a crucial role in the social and professional futures of our children. Going beyond study findings, he details the actions of Just Think, a non profit organization working to fan the flames of youth Internet involvement. Readers finish this informative piece with a greater understanding of what blogging is, the critical influence it has on today's teen culture and a deepened respect for the powerful role the Internet will play in shaping their future.

We chose Allan's story not only because it is an excellent piece of positive journalism but because it serves as a great example of what we look for in our Citizen Journalist articles, as well.

Allan Shore is an empowerment fanatic and a nonprofit consultant from California. He seeks to uncover interesting ways to make social advocacy entertaining and publicly adventurous.

Allan will receive an extra US $50 for his work.

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• CJ Feature: Toasting youth involvement
• Review - The Accidental Techie
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A restoration of telecommunication

By Charu Bahri

A common question the editors of HappyNews are often asked is, "How do you cover disasters?" And we answer, "with compassion." Journalists like Charu Bahri make our job possible. As a resident in India, Bahri was in close proximity to the pain and devastation wreaked by the Oct. 8 earthquake in the region. And as a HappyNews Citizen Journalist, she was also in the unique position to face a great challenge—how to find something positive amid the destruction and desperation that consumed her world and the news that poured out of the area. With remarkable clarity, compassion and balance, Bahri did just that. In, A restoration of telecommunication, she delivers a story about dividing lines falling, conflicts curtailing and neighbors helping neighbors. We are presented with a picture of the best of human nature stepping forward to work together in face of tremendous crisis. This story is an extremely newsworthy, well-researched, highly informative and balanced piece of journalism, and we are pleased to give it an honorable mention.

Charu Bahri is a freelance writer from India. She has written for various magazines and newspapers and additionally authored two books and a screenplay.

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• Id-ul-Fitr: A festival of thanksgiving
• A big boost to the global fight against malaria
• Happiest people in the world
• Spearheading the empowerment of Muslim women

One boy, and six lives

By Rebecca Lippiatt-Long

Sometimes HappyNews stories aren't all that happy; they are instead inspiring, remarkable, compelling stories that remind us we are all humans sharing this world together, struggling together and helping each other along our individual paths to greatness—this is one of those stories. In this editor's humble opinion, organ donation is one of the most difficult and generous gifts a family can give to others. To donate those of a lost child is unfathomably difficult to comprehend, but when you add in the complicating elements of racial and religious differences, you have miracle workers on your hands. In, One boy and six lives, Rebecca Lippiatt-Long brought us the follow-up story of Palestinian parents who donated the organs of their young son to save the lives of six Israelis—this after the life of their son was taken accidentally by Israeli soldiers. Amid a cacophony of controversial viewpoints and political opinions, Lippiatt-Long was able to sing to us one sweet song that rose over roof tops along the Gaza strip humming with generosity and compassion for all.

Rebecca Lippiatt-Long is a writer and photographer living in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. To learn more about her, please visit her Web site. This is the first story Rebecca has submitted to HappyNews.

The teacher who worked my but off

By Cortney Philip

Who does not remember that one special teacher? The one who inspired us, pushed us, had that faith that seemed to have come from nowhere—or maybe just the teacher who made us blush due to that tiny crush on Mr. or Mrs. you-know-who. My favorite teacher's name was Mrs. Waldron—she'd never have guessed I would end up an editor considering how much trouble I gave her over spelling tests. The teacher I had a crush on was Mr. Janota, my history teacher and sailing instructor. I loved that class and worked my but off to get an A—just to impress him. Why am I rambling about this and not talking about Cortney Philip's story, The teacher who worked my but off? Because this is what is great about this story; it's the kind everyone can relate to! It lures its reader toward a bit of introspection and reminds us that teachers really are very important people who provide us lessons which are carried with us for years and years to come. This fun, happy story even started a 30-minute story telling session in our newsroom titled, "Let me tell you about my favorite teacher." Presented in the unique format of a letter to teacher, this is overall just the kind of HappyNews editorial we enjoy the most. A+ Cortney, you get an honorable mention and some extra board work we just know you will enjoy!

Cortney Philip lives in Ypsilanti, Michigan and works as a freelance writer.

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