Regional Press Awards Showcase Brilliant Local Journalism

Brilliant local journalism has been showcased in the shortlist for the Regional Press Awards which includes the News Media Association’s Cathryn Nicoll Award for young journalists.

James Thomas, Hereford Times; Molly Dowrick, Plymouth Live; and Sian Bayley, formerly of MyLondon, have all been shortlisted for the NMA award which rewards a brilliant young interviewer with a £500 cash prize. 

The awards recognise reporters, columnists, designers, photographers, scoops, campaigns and digital initiatives, culminating with the headline News Website of the Year and Newspaper of the Year titles.

Announcing the shortlist, Dawn Alford, executive director of the Society of Editors which organises the awards, said: “Congratulations to those who made the shortlist amongst an incredible standard of entries, and in a year where demand for trusted news has never been higher. 

“We are hugely grateful to judges from across the industry whose time and dedication has enabled the remarkable and varied achievements of those journalists to be recognised.

“The coronavirus crisis has shown more than ever the vital importance of the regional press as the beating heart of communities across the UK. It is clear from these shortlists that the local and regional media has risen to the challenge.”

The winners will be revealed in a virtual announcement on 16 September.

The Cathryn Nicoll Award was set up by the NMA in 2019 in memory of Cathryn Nicoll who held the position of news editor at the Croydon Advertiser during her career as a journalist. 

Cathryn was known for her passionate belief in journalistic standards and training.