Excellence in campaigning and investigative journalism was honoured at the Society of Editors’ Media Freedom Awards 2024 on Tuesday 12 November 2024.
Held at the Underglobe in London, the high-profile awards, which set the benchmark for a celebration of UK public interest journalism, brought together more than 300 journalists from all sectors of the UK news media for a ceremony presented by ITV News’ Lucrezia Millarini and attended by the Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth Stephanie Peacock MP.
Sponsored by Allwyn and Vodafone, big winners of the evening included PA Media which was crowned the National News Media Organisation of the Year with outgoing Editor-in-Chief Peter Clifton awarded the Bob Satchwell Award in recognition of his service to the industry and defence of open justice.
Announcing the winners Dawn Alford, Executive Director of the Society said: “Now in their third year, the Media Freedom Awards recognise and celebrate the dedication and accomplishments of journalists and newsrooms across all sectors of the UK media industry. From those who operate in dangerous and life-threatening war zones to those who stand up against bureaucracy and fight for the public’s right to know, we are honoured to recognise their outstanding achievements this evening.”
Other big winners of the evening included The Sun which was awarded the Investigation of the Year National prize for its investigation into BBC News presenter Huw Edwards with reporter Scarlet Howes named the Journalist of the Year National.
BBC News Scotland’s Sam Poling was also a big winner with her pursuit of justice following the death of Emma Caldwell securing her the Journalist of the Year Broadcast accolade as well as the Investigation of the Year in the Broadcast Regional category.
Looking to the campaign categories, The Sunday Times’ multi-media campaign Bloody Disgrace, which was instrumental in securing a £10 billion-plus compensation package for those whose lives were destroyed by the infected blood tragedy, was awarded the Campaign of the Year National while the Midland’s Express & Star’s successful campaign to ban Zombie Knives took home the award in the regional category.
Other big regional winners included WalesOnline for its scrutiny of donations made to former first minister Vaughan Gething while Belfast Live’s Jilly Beattie was named the Journalist of the Year Regional for her investigation and coverage of the arrest of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson on historical sexual offence charges. The Belfast Telegraph was also named the Regional News Media Organisation of the Year.
A full list of winners from the Media Freedom Awards 2024 can be found here. Video and photos from the awards can be found below. Photos should be credited to Lucy Young – www.lucyyoungphotos.co.uk
