More than 100 communications students from across America competed in the NAB Education Foundation’s (NABEF) annual Freedom of Speech PSA contest. Students came up with creative ways to communicate what freedom of speech means to them in 30-second spots for radio and television. The top six winners are:

Radio

1st Place: Brent Wycinski
Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Entry: Can and Must
Awarded $3,000 scholarship

2nd Place: Rachel Stephens
University of Tennessee at Martin, Mt. Juliet, Tenn.
Entry: More than Words
Awarded $2,000 scholarship

3rd Place: Michael Langdon
IsoThermal Community College, Morgantown, N.C.
Entry: What Will History Say About Us?
Awarded $1,000 scholarship

Television

1st Place: Nathan Firn
Emerson College, Boston, Mass.
Entry: It Is
Awarded $3,000 scholarship

2nd Place: Christopher Bryant
Murray State University, Murray, Ky.
Entry: Freedom of Speech
Awarded $2,000 scholarship

3rd Place: Danielle Johnson
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
Entry: Be Heard
Awarded $1,000 scholarship

The PSAs will be distributed via NAB satellite feed on October 15. The first place winners in each category will attend and be recognized at the Mark of Excellence Awards Luncheon during the October 2010 SPJ National Journalism Conference in Las Vegas.

The Freedom of Speech PSA Contest is presented by NABEF and the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) with major funding from McCormick Foundation.