Do you host a regular media show that involves population issues? Maybe you volunteer with a reproductive justice organization and you’ve written editorials or commentaries about specific issues. Perhaps you have your own YouTube channel where you create mini documentaries about population and the environment. Or maybe you’ve got your own campus broadcast radio or television show where you’ve dedicated a discussion to global population issues. If any of these describes you, you might want to apply for the Global Media Awards.

The 31^st annual Global Media Awards will be held this winter by the Population Institute. The contest is now open for entries. These awards are given to help raise awareness and garner media attention about population issues all over the globe. Individual people, organizations, and groups from every continent and regional area are invited to participate. Journalists, activists, media professionals, students, nonprofit groups, and anyone else who has met the criteria are all welcome to participate.

According to the Population Institute, “The awards serve to stimulate high standards of journalism and full and accurate reporting on issues related to the population.” Through holding a competition for the awards—and recognizing outstanding pieces of related media—the Institute hopes to help influence policymakers and leaders to help act on population-related issues, such as reproductive justice, the environment, population growth, health services, family planning, and many other concerns. They also hope to educate the general public about these issues and make their presence more well-known across the globe.

Nearly a dozen categories are available for those wanting to participate. Best movie, series, book, cartoon, game, commentary, and many other categories are available. To enter, applicants must submit all of their relevant information—name, address, e-mail, and phone number—along with a description of their entry, as well as four complete copies of their submission for judging. Only works created between September 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010 will be considered for the awards.

To win, entries must meet a variety of criterion established by the Population Institute. Entries should be fair and accurate, as well as insightful, easy to understand, and well executed overall. Subjects relevant to population issues should be at the heart of each submission.

Winners will be honored at a dinner in San Francisco this December, with an all expense paid trip to the award celebration. The deadline for entry is September 7, 2010. For more information on how to apply, click here.