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2011 R.C. Hoiles Prize

International Policy Network is pleased to announce the first annual R.C. Hoiles Prize. The $15,000 prize recognizes journalists addressing regional US issues whose writing best reflects the Freedom Philosophy developed by R. C. Hoiles. The deadline for entries has been extended to August 15, 2011.
 
Hoiles, founder of a chain of US newspapers that became Freedom Communications, believed that newspapers can be a force for good only if they stand “for principles that are in harmony with natural moral law.” He therefore sought to ensure that his papers consistently adhered to this Freedom Philosophy, upholding the First Amendment and supporting freedoms economic, social and religious.
 
Hoiles was a voluntaryist who believed that the sole legitimate function of government is to protect individuals against fraud and force; everything else should be left to the private sector. He applied this Freedom Philosophy to city, county, state and regional matters. The Opinion pages of the Orange County Register, owned by Freedom Communications, reflected R.C. Hoiles' views for the 75 years the Hoiles family owned Freedom Communications. The Register's nationally recognized Opinion sections, in print, online and on tablet, continue to be dedicated to preserving and promoting individual liberty.
 
Hoiles believed that if the initiation of force by individuals is wrong, then it is also wrong for government. Consistent with this philosophy, he took a courageous stand against the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. A major concern for him was the “tax-supported school system”, which promoted the view that “might makes right; that the end justifies the means; that there is no law superior to the will of the majority.” 

In the spirit of R.C. Hoiles' philosophy, entries will be judged on their policy relevance. Examples of government policy include (but are not limited to) first amendment rights, property rights, taxation, spending, bond debt, use of eminent domain and other government force, civil liberties, and the role of government in any area, such as education, health care, free markets, international trade, international relations. 

The R.C. Hoiles Prize for Regional Journalism comprises three awards: first ($10,000), second ($4,000), and third ($1000), which will be awarded at IPN’s annual dinner in New York . The prize is generously supported by a gift from R.C.’s granddaughter, Pamela Hoiles.
 
Rules for 2011 Hoiles Prize Competition 

  • The Hoiles Prize is open to all writers, anywhere in the world, but preference will be given to writers based in North America.
  • Writers need not be full time journalists or associated with any specific publication.
  • The total prize fund is $15,000, divided between first ($10,000), second ($4,000) and third ($1,000) prize winners.
  • Entrants may enter both the Bastiat Prize and Hoiles Prize competitions this year. If the writer enters both prizes, s/he may enter the same or different sets of articles. Rules and criteria for the Bastiat Prize can be found at www.bastiatprize.org
  • Entrants must submit their entries through the online entry form on IPN's website.
  • All articles entered for the Hoiles Prize must have been published in print or online (or both).
  • Articles may comprise or include the text of a radio or television broadcast if that text has been published in print or online.
  • Self-published articles and articles published only in weblogs (“blogs”) are acceptable.
  • In the case of a question about the legitimacy of an article, the author will be consulted and a final decision will be made by the prize administrators.
  • Up to six articles may be submitted for the Hoiles Prize.
  • Entries must not exceed 4500 words in total.
  • Articles must be written and published in English.
  • Articles must have been published for the first time between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011.
  • Entries must state clearly the name of the publication where each article appeared and the date each article was published.
  • Consideration will be given to the articles on the following criteria: consistency with Hoiles Freedom Philosophy; policy relevance; persuasiveness.
  • Authors must nominate themselves, although submissions may be made by an assistant on the author's behalf with his/her consent.
  • Entries may be submitted from June 20, 2011. Entries must be received on or before August 15, 2011. Submissions must include an up to date telephone number, email address, and mailing address.
  • The finalists’ articles will be sent to the judges (a list of judges will be available on IPN's website).
  • The decision of the judges and IPN will be final.
  • Finalists will be invited to a prize dinner in New York City in November 2011. (While attendance is encouraged, it is not obligatory to receive the prize.)
  • Staff and former staff, Directors and Trustees of International Policy Network, Judges of the Bastiat Prize and Hoiles Prize, and their respective immediate family are not eligible for the Hoiles Prize.
  • Articles published exclusively in Freedom Communications newspapers are not eligible.
  • Winners of cash awards from previous Bastiat Prize competitions are not eligible for the Hoiles Prize in the three years following their win.
  • IPN reserves the right to clarify and/or modify these rules as needed. Entrants will be notified of any changes to the rules.
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