Reporters Without Borders becomes partner in Deutsche Welle blogs contest

Deutsche Welle* launched its second Best Of The Blogs - or BOBS - competition on 1 September. Reporters Without Borders is sponsoring a special category for blogs that defend freedom of expression. Internet users are invited to use an online form to propose their favourite blog (in any of nine languages) What are BOBS? Best Of The Blogs - or BOBS - is an international weblog competition with a special focus on journalistic weblogs. It is held in nine languages: German, English, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, French and Farsi. It includes a "best podcast" category in recognition of the increasing importance of Web radio. As well as the special "freedom of expression" category, the other categories are Best Weblog, Best Multimedia Blog and Best Journalistic Blog (in which honours are awarded in each of the nine languages). The various stages of the competition are as follows: after an initial screening, an international jury of independent journalists, media specialists, well-known bloggers and a Reporters Without Borders representative will choose a shortlist of nominees. They will be submitted to a vote by the Internet public from 24 October to 20 November, as well as to the jury's evaluation. The winners will be announced on 21 November. The Reporters Without Borders special prize This prize is for weblogs that actively defend freedom of expression. It is an extension of the concept behind the Freedom Blogs Awards which Reporters Without Borders held last May (http://www.globenet.org/rsf/voteblog.php). - The BOBS site - Propose a blog Attention: To propose a blog that defends freedom of expression, click on Special Reporters Without Borders Award in the Nomination Category menu. * Deutsche Welle is a German radio station that targets an international audience