Young Journalist of the year sponsored by Amazon

Highly Commended:

Jack Aitchison, Glasgow Times

“Jack exposed flaws within the Scottish Prison Service system that meant hundreds of inmates were released from prison over Christmas with little or no services in place to help with rehabilitation, a story which fully deserved to be dragged into the limelight.”

Highly Commended:

Coreena Ford, The Journal

“Big story interviews and a major industrial news break all resulted from long standing links with key decision makers on her patch.”

Highly Commended:

Hannah Baker, Bristol Post/BusinessLive South West

Lively, quirky and a slightly different approach to business stories. It was fantastic to see the campaign highlighting black owned businesses.

Highly Commended:

Dale Haslam, DC Thomson Media

“Dale is a journalist capable of tackling any subject with forensic detail, writing flair and great sensitivity. His timeline analysis of the Stonehaven rail crash was exceptional.”

Highly Commended:

David Owens, Western Mail

“David’s writing is incredibly honest. His first-hand account of his battle with a gambling addiction was a truly fantastic read.”

Highly Commended:

Neil Mackay, The Herald and Herald on Sunday

 “Gripping until the end with compelling storytelling of lived experiences.”

Social Media Journalist of the year Sponsored by Facebook Journalism Project

Highly Commended:

John Wilson, Hereford Times

“John has stuck his head above the parapet to educate the public on the importance of journalism and is a great advocate for the art of the blog.”

Highly Commended:

Mark Taylor, Cambridge Independent

“A strong and confident writing style helped this writer produce three impressive pieces away from the traditional set pieces of local sports reporting.”

Highly Commended:

Paul Ferguson, Sunday Life

“A good set of exclusives which demonstrate Paul’s ability to dig deep to find the story.”

Highly Commended:

Conor Gogarty, Bristol Live

“Conor showed real talent in spotting the line and following-up by gaining the trust of people to tell the stories.”

Highly Commended:

Catriona Stewart, Glasgow Times and The Herald

“Superb writing, good research and real understanding of an ignored community make Catriona a clear winner.”

Highly Commended:

Lesley-Anne Kelly, DC Thomson Media

“Great use of infographics to contextualise data and give it to readers in a digestible, easy-to-understand format.”

Highly Commended:

Jonathan Macpherson, Lancs Live

 “The complete package – a text-book example of how to cover a compelling story in contemporary media.”

Highly Commended:

Bronwen Weatherby, Camden New Journal

“An impactful entry, highlighted by the extraordinary story of a 12-year-old boy and his family targeted by police after he was spotted playing with a toy gun in his own living room.”

Highly Commended:

Ciaran Barnes, Sunday Life

 “A reporter not afraid to confront the powerful nor challenge the establishment.”

The Cathryn Nicoll award in association with the NMA

MORE FROM John McVitty

Highly Commended:

Mark Williamson, Stratford-upon-Avon Herald

“The energy on display by the handler and police dog and in the split-second that Mark captured is striking.”

MORE FROM Kevin Scott

Highly Commended:

Colm O’Reilly, Sunday Life

“Many photographers would come back with a very standard shot of Rory holding his book and smiling to the camera – Colm found a way to illustrate the story with something eye-grabbing and wholly original.”

Highly Commended:

Gary Beckwith, Newcastle Chronicle

“Clever use of illustrative design. Particularly liked the corona cricket ball, very creative.”

Highly Commended:

Nancy Fallows, Eastern Daily Press

“Striking images borne of clever ideas with skilful execution.”

Highly Commended:

Ian Bond, Hull Daily Mail

“Emotionally provocative designs, all beautifully executed.”

Highly Commended:

Nancy Fallows, Eastern Daily Press

“Each design is excellent, the central image of the vinyl disc was strong and worked really well.”

Highly Commended:

Weekend, Belfast Telegraph

“A real escape, which is what audiences want from a weekend supplement.”

Highly Commended:

Cumberland & Westmorland Herald: 160 years

“It was so beautifully put together and well designed and the content just kept on coming. A wonderful souvenir for any reader”

Highly Commended:

The Herald Magazine

“Chic and modern – just like the city it serves.”

Front Page of the Year Sponsored by HoldtheFrontPage

Highly Commended:

‘Be safe, be careful and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do’, Wokingham.Today

“Absolutely captures the sense of tragedy and shock felt by the community. A heartfelt tribute full of emotion and thought.”

Front Page of the Year Daily/Sunday Papers Sponsored by HoldtheFrontPage

Highly Commended:

Our Life in Lockdown, Hull Daily Mail

“A rallying call and sense of community encapsulated by a lovely montage of human faces who all belong to Hull. Fabulous!”

Highly Commended:

Safe House sting sinks new IRA, Sunday Life

“A truly important story reported on, with good use of contacts and sources and careful attention to legal constraints.”

Highly Commended:

The arrest of Joe Anderson, Liverpool Echo

“The biggest local leadership story of the year.”

Social Media Team of the Year Sponsored by Facebook Journalism Project

Highly Commended:

Glasgow Times Digital Team

“Smart use of social to explain complex topics.”

Highly Commended:

BrumWish, Birmingham Mail/Birmingham Live

“A brilliant idea benefitting the most needy of their readers well executed by a team that clearly understands its readership. Terrific multi-platform momentum.”

Highly Commended:

Cambridgeshire Coronavirus Fund, Cambridge News

“The target figure for this campaign was smashed, and this proved how right the Cambridge News was in identifying the need and meeting it.”

Digital Initiative of the year Sponsored by Facebook Journalism Project

Highly Commended:

Robot reporter updates local audiences on coronavirus infection rates, Manchester Evening News

“A very clever idea to automate the data to fill maps and graphics.”

Website of the year Sponsored by Google News Initiative

Highly Commended:

Plymouth Live

“Great news reporting, smart use of site to break news and raise the voices of under-heard groups.”

The Overall Digital Awards Sponsored by Facebook Journalism Project

Highly Commended:

Wales Online

“Wales Online has built an acrobatic attitude to serving content to diverse audiences at a time when timely information is key.”

Special 2020 Award Sponsored by Google News Initiative

Highly Commended:

Newsquest Regional ACE network (Team RACE)

“Great to see time invested in training and support in remote conditions, which seems to have paid off.”

Paid for Weekly Newspaper of the Year (Below 50,000 Total Monthly Reach) Sponsored by Camelot

Highly Commended:

Cumberland & Westmorland Herald

“The survival of the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald is a lovely story. The three submitted editions of the newspaper clearly illustrate why its readers – and dedicated staff – thought it was a paper worth fighting for. This is a newspaper that really is at the heart of its community. Long may it continue.”

Highly Commended:

The Ulster Herald

“A brilliant entry, which shows how local newspapers and websites are so vital to an informed, engaged community. One reader’s comment in the April 23 edition summed it up: “We wouldn’t know what day it was if it wasn’t for the Herald!”.”

Paid for Weekly Newspaper of the Year (Above 50,000 Total Monthly Reach) Sponsored by Camelot

Highly Commended:

Kent Messenger

“Great coverage throughout 2020 from a local newspaper in the eye of the pandemic and Brexit storms. The KM is full of eye-catching pages that demand attention – and compelling, human stories that can make readers laugh or cry.”

Highly Commended:

Kentish Gazette

“Great front pages and strong campaigns. This newspaper is jam-packed full of news and sport. The number of exclusive local news stories throughout the papers stands out and the community news columns are particularly engaging.”

Daily Newspaper of the Year (Below 400,000 Monthly Reach) Sponsored by Camelot

Highly Commended:

The Argus

“A paper that was there when its readers needed it most. Impressive campaigning and fund raising showed local journalism can come with clout.”

Daily Newspaper of the Year (Above 400,000 Monthly Reach) Sponsored by Camelot

Highly Commended:

The Courier

“A paper that fights for its readers through a national crisis – just as it has for over 200 years. A brilliant video accompanying a rail crash investigation explains the Courier’s commitment to high standards in journalism – values that will strike a chord with every regional journalist.”

Highly Commended:

Belfast Telegraph

“Belfast is no stranger to big stories – and the Telegraph continues to keep things in perspective. Covid, a 150th anniversary and a successful digital paywall launch all made for a remarkable year.”

Sunday Newspaper of the Year Sponsored by Camelot

Highly Commended:

Sunday Life

“Fearless journalism in the public interest. Everything that a newspaper should be.”

“Exclusives are exclusives even during the Covid pandemic. The Sunday Life proves that journalism is always the secret of success.”

Free Weekly Newspaper of the year Sponsored by Camelot

Highly Commended:

Islington Tribune

“Sterling service for the readers of Islington, this is a first class publication and the lively letters page shows just what an engaged readership there is.”

“The Islington Tribune is full of exclusive news stories, campaigning journalism and strident opinions. It doesn’t mince its words. It’s what a local newspaper should be.”