Next Generation Challenged to Get Creative and Beat Back the Administration’s Abuse of Power

NEW YORK, NY – The American Civil Liberties Union StandUp campaign launched its third annual “Stand Up for Freedom Contest,” challenging a new generation of visionaries and activists to produce a podcast or video public service announcement (PSA) about the ways that the Bush administration is abusing its power. 

Sure to entice a new audience of creative types and emerging activists, the ACLU StandUp campaign is raising the volume on its annual contest with the addition of the podcast category.  MP3 players are everywhere, and the podcast format will give contestants more creative liberty with their entries. 

“Podcasts are a great new way to speak out about continuing threats to civil liberties,” said ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero. “We want to inspire young activists to get informed and defend the freedoms we all hold dear.”

The annual contest is part of the ACLU StandUp Campaign, which aims to keep young people informed, active and engaged in the civil liberties issues that affect them.  This year’s contest calls for people aged 17 to 29 to submit a 3-5 minute podcast or a 30-second PSA on government surveillance, free speech or due process rights.  Winners will be hand-selected by a panel of public figures and industry professionals.  Last year’s judges included filmmakers Ron Howard and music industry heavyweight Carlos Santana.

Prizes include $2,000 for Best PSA and $1,000 for Best Podcast with additional awards for originality, production and humor.  Winning entries will be posted on the ACLU’s youth Website www.aclu.org/standup and winning PSAs will air on Zilo’s college television network, which reaches more than 350 campuses and 8.7 million college cable subscribers.  

For more information and contest rules, visit www.aclu.org/standup.