Are you a budding journalist interested in kick-starting your career?

The Department of Human Services have recently launched the Report it Right and WIN! Competition, which gives one lucky winner a chance to be published in their local Leader newspaper.

The competition challenges tertiary students to write a news story or feature article about a current news issue relating to people with disability. This is a great opportunity to build your portfolio and get some industry visibility.

In addition to the opportunity to be published, $5,000 worth of other prizes are also on offer, including a MacBook Air and $1,000 in cash for the lucky winner. Three runners-up will also receive an iPad and $500 in cash.

Who is eligible

Report it Right and WIN! is open to media, communications and journalism students studying at a Victorian university or TAFE.

To enter

All you need to do is write a news story about a real news issue in your local community relating to people with disability.

Entries will be judged on how well they meet the Reporting it Right Guidelines for portraying people with disability and there is also a handy one page checklist for you to check your story against.

Check out last year’s winning stories to get idea of what's required and have a look at the Reporting it Right Guidelines for Portraying People with Disability for more useful reporting tips.

Entries close 5pm (AEDT), Monday 14 October 2013.

Find out more

Visit the Report it Right competition website for complete details, terms and conditions, the Reporting it Right Guidelines, competition story checklist and last year's winning entries.