JMSC Student Wins International New York Times Competition

Joyce Xu, a third-year Bachelor of Journalism student from Hong Kong, has won the International New York Times “Word (World) of Yours” Writing Competition 2013.  Her winning article, “The Impact of Social Media on Global Awareness,” was published April 1 in the INYT’s Hong Kong and China print editions.

“My article was about how different kinds of social media — Facebook, Twitter, Weibo — transmit information in such a way that feeds us with things happening around the globe and brings us closer together in a ‘global village,’” said Xu.

She was inspired in her topic choice by the “Digital Media and Society” course she took last semester from JMSC Professor Fu King-wa. “From that course, I developed a more critical perspective on the role of digital media in modern society, how it changes policymaking, and shapes the way we communicate,” she said. “So when I saw the competition notice and the essay topic, ‘Global Awareness,’ I decided to give it a try and write how social media is linked to global awareness in today’s globalised world.”

Xu said she has a strong interest in China and Hong Kong and hopes to become a print and multimedia journalist reporting on political and social issues.

The Times competition, which has been running for five years, aims to encourage a greater understanding of the world and provide students with the opportunity to have their work published by a renowned international newspaper. Articles are judged on their range of vocabulary, structure, and ability to captivate an audience. The judges also looked at creativity, content, form, and impression

As winner of the competition, Xu received a one-year subscription to the INYT, HK$400 in book coupons, and a trophy.  JMSC graduate Isak Ladegaard took last year’s first prize in the competition for his article on income inequalities and the wine industry in Hong Kong.

Joyce Xu’s article:  INYT Writing Comp 2013 PDF