a) Eligibility - Entrant

1. The Contest is open to anyone aged eighteen (18) years and above, except for employees of the ASEAN Secretariat, Global Environment Centre, ASEAN Peatland Forest Project (APFP), SEApeat Project, the Judges, Contest partners and their immediate family members.
2. In addition to individuals, groups may enter as a team or under the name of the organization.  For entries under the organization, entrants are responsible to acquire permission/endorsement from the Chief Editor or representative of their respective organization.
3. Entrants must complete the online registration form, provide the correct information and agree to these Rules & Regulations to qualify for the prizes. 
4. Decisions on eligibility will be at the Organiser’s sole discretion. The Judges’decision will be final and no inquiries / appeals will be entertained.

 
b) Eligibility – Submission

5. Only original submissions of article related to peatlands in Southeast Asia will be considered for this contest. 
6. Submissions can cover any aspect of peatland related subject, ranging from ecological to socio-economic, which has general significance to the ASEAN community. For example peatland fire and haze, scientific research/discovery, peatland and climate change, deforestation and land degradation, biodiversity conservation, community livelihood on peatland, economic and sustainability of peatland development etc.. Articles can be from a positive, neutral or negative angle. 
7. The article must have been published in any form of media that are accessible to public within the time frame of 1^st January 2013 – 31^st December 2013 before submitting for the contest.
8. The ASEAN Peatland Media Award has two categories:

1. Award for Most Outstanding Print Media Category 
   An investigative or explanatory feature or series on a peatland related topic. Eligibility: newspaper, magazines, books or any other paper-based publications.
    
2. Award for Most Outstanding New Media Category 
   Peatland feature or commentary. Eligibility: Content is accessible online by public. Eg. All online portals, blogs, video and etc.

9. Individuals/groups/organizations may participate in more than one entry, in the same category or in different categories. All writers whose names appear on the submitted stories must be stated in the entry and each individual/team/organization is only entitled to win one prize.
10. Considering the audience attention span, average article length of 1000-2000 words is recommended. Published articles (in pdf/jpeg file), word document file and website links should be submitted via the Online Registration Form.
11. Entries in languages other than English is acceptable but must be accompanied by English translation.
12. The Entrants warrant that the articles submitted are their own work and that they own the copyright or have the approval of the copyright holder (if required) for the submission.
13. The Organiser reserves the right to reject submissions deemed offensive, pornographic, mis-informative, indecent, discriminatory or defamatory in nature. 
14. The opening date for submission is 1st April 2013 and the closing date for submission is 31st December 2013. 

 
Winners and Prizes

15. The Organiser shall at its sole and absolute decision shortlist the winners based on the content, message and approach of the published article. The winners will be judged on creativity and merit by a panel of Judges. 
16. Winners’ names will be notified via email or telephone. Results will also be posted on the Contest website by 28^th February 2014. 
17. All non-cash prizes are non-transferable and cannot be converted into cash. Prizes will be deemed forfeited if not collected by 30^th April 2014. 
18. The Organiser may use or display the submissions, the winning articles, name and city/country of residence of the winners of the Contest for publicity, educational and other non-profit purposes. Articles/authors/publishers will be credited together with the organization.
    Each Entrant may only win one prize.
19. All cash prizes are provided by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Global Environment Facility (GEF) through APFP project, and the European Union (EU) through SEApeat project.
20. The 3 Days 2 Nights stay is sponsored by Frangipani Langkawi, Malaysia.

  
General

21. The Organiser reserves the right to amend, delete or add any Rules and Regulations from time to time without prior notice. 
22. Winners and entrants agree to indemnify the Organiser, Contest partners and others associated with the development and execution of this Contest from any and all legal claims, actions, proceedings, and liability arising from and in connection with the Contest. This Contest is void where prohibited. 
23. The Organiser’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.