Nick Clarke Award 2011

Although I never had the pleasure of working with Nick Clarke, I knew him well enough to chat about the stories he was working on whenever I ran into him.

One of the most powerful remarks he made about the principles that underpinned his interviewing for BBC Radio 4's World at One continues to be as relevant now as it was when we talked about it:

"Call me old-fashioned," he said, "but when I ask someone a question I like to hear their answer."

Nick's comment defined the polite but firm and forensic school of journalism to which he subscribed that made his interviews such compelling and revealing listening.

The award that was founded in his honour - the Nick Clarke Award - is entering its fourth year. Entries are now invited for the 2011 title. Judges are looking for interviews (as broadcast) which left a strong impression on the audience as well as a deeper understanding of the subject matter featured in the piece.

Entries should be submitted to the address below or by email to gillian.dear@bbc.co.uk.

Gillian Dear

Room G620

BBC Television Centre

Wood Lane

London

W12 7RJ

The closing date is 8 September. One entry per programme and person, and the interview must be submitted exactly as broadcast. The winner will be announced at this year's Times Cheltenham Literature Festival on Sunday 10 October.

Listen to last year's winner featuring PD James interviewing Mark Thompson, Director-General of the BBC, on the Today programme.