Local Newspaper Week to Highlight Power of Campaigning Journalism
This year’s Local Newspaper Week in May will develop the Making a Difference theme, highlighting the ability of local newspapers in print and online to make a real difference to the communities they serve through powerful and effective campaigning.
LNW, to be held this year from 11 to 17 May, will see campaigns from across the local news media industry highlighted on a refreshed LNW website and the public will be invited to vote for their favourite in an online poll.
The Making a Difference winner will be announced at the Society of Editors Regional Press Awards, which celebrates the best local newspaper journalism, on 15 May.
The importance of national newspaper journalism has also been highlighted in the Society of Editors Press Awards which published its shortlist this week. The Times and the Daily Mail have the most nominations for awards with 20 each.
Local newspapers and their journalists can register for the regional press awards and enter until the deadline on 6 March. All entries for the campaign of the year category will automatically be put forward for the Making a Difference showcase.
The awards, organised by the Society of Editors on behalf of the industry, are held in association with the News Media Association, HoldtheFrontPage, Press Association and are sponsored by UK Power Networks and are supported by ASDA, Foot Anstey, the Gorkana Group and JTI.
Shortlists will be published in mid-April with the awards ceremony and celebratory lunch taking place at the Marriott, Grosvenor Square hotel in London on 15 May.
Paul Horrocks, SoE President in 2007 and former editor of the Manchester Evening News will again chair the judges. Revenue generated by entry fees, table sales and sponsorship will pay for the not-for-profit awards programme and help to support the Journalists’ Charity.
Society of Editors executive director, Bob Satchwell, said: “Despite continued challenges on local and regional newspapers anyone who thinks they are in terminal decline should look at the Regional Press Awards which spotlight the vibrant, innovative journalism that serves communities brilliantly by fighting their causes, asking questions of those in authority and celebrating the successes of their readers in print and on digital platforms.”