Entries for the Regional Press Awards for 2019 have now closed.
About the awards
On Friday 5 June 2020 the Society of Editors will once again host the Regional Press Awards to celebrate the best of British regional and local newspaper journalism in 2019.
The Regional Press Awards, organised by the Society of Editors, will for the first time acknowledge the shift from sales of newspapers to combined audience figures to recognise excellence in local press during 2019.
The awards will continue to regard different categories in the daily, weekly and free weekly sections of the industry, but set the distinguishing levels in line with industry-recognised JICREG figures for ‘total monthly reach’- including both print and digital audiences.
SoE executive director Ian Murray said: “The industry has moved on and quite correctly recognises the total audience its titles reach with their superb news, sports and features coverage. The Regional Press Awards will now recognise those figures also as part of this celebration of the vital role the vibrant regional press plays in the communities the length and breadth of the UK.”
Consistent with last year’s awards, in some established categories, the award has been split to ensure that journalists working on smaller titles with less resources are recognised without having to compete with larger, better-funded regional daily newsrooms.
The Cathryn Nicoll Interviewer of the Year Award will run for its second consecutive year at this Regional Press Awards. The award was launched last year in memory of Cathryn Nicoll who held the position of the news editor at the Croydon Advertiser during her career as a journalist.
Paul Sinker, News Media Association, said: “During her career, Cathryn Nicoll devoted a significant amount of time to training and mentoring young journalists who showed promise. The launch of an award in her name at last year’s Regional Press Awards highlighted some brilliant examples of interviewing and feature writing by young journalists, and we hope to build on this with even more entries for the 2020 award.”
The award is open to any journalist working for a weekly or daily local or regional newspaper published in the UK, who is aged between 18 and 25 and rewards a £500 cash prize to its winner.
The awards will celebrate regional and local journalism in print or as part of a corresponding digital platform and will include the Making a Difference ~ People’s Choice public vote organised by the News Media Association for Journalism Matters.
Early registration and entries are encouraged so that any issues can be attended to in advance of the deadline. The entry price has been kept at the same level as last year.
A shortlist will be announced in April 2020.
The Awards will culminate with a glittering lunchtime ceremony on Friday June 5 2020. They are organised on behalf of the industry by the Society of Editors.
Proceeds will help fund the Society of Editors campaigning for press freedom.
A full list of categories and entry guidance can be found be following this link.
If you have any queries, please contact ellen.bramley@societyofeditors.org or office@societyofeditors.org.
If you would like to speak with us directly, please ring the office on 01223 304 080.
AWARD CATEGORIES
Full guidance on how to enter can be found here. .
- * Journalists in these categories can submit three articles, including up to one joint byline piece.
- ** Two or more journalists working together on up to three examples of work. Can include work by full section teams. Judges’ focus will be on strength of examples submitted rather than numbers of journalists involved.
Young Journalist of the Year * Open to journalists aged 26 or under on 31 December 2019 who have not previously been shortlisted for this award. Entries may include work from any journalistic discipline. Judges will be looking for the individual who has made significant impact over the year. You are required to submit up to three PDF examples of your work.
Business and Finance Journalist of the Year * For reporters and commentators covering all aspects of business and personal finance. Judges will be looking for the ability to break stories and explain issues to a general audience. You are required to submit up to three PDF examples of your work.
Specialist Writer/Impact Journalist of the Year * For journalists with specialisms not covered by any other category such as health, fashion, travel, science, health, environment, motoring and politics. The judges will look for journalists who break stories, analyse and explain their subject for a wider audience. You are required to submit up to three PDF examples of your work.
Feature Writer/ Long Form Journalist of the Year* Quality of writing is paramount. Judges will be looking for journalists who demonstrate a compelling style in news reportage, colour writing, analysis and backgrounders.
Please consider very carefully whether your entry is more suitable for this category or Reporter of the Year (Weekly/Sunday or Daily). You are required to submit up to three PDF examples of your work.
Columnist of the Year Daily Newspapers* Entrants should have a regular by-lined column or blog. The winner will be a journalist with a special style and the ability to provoke debate that may annoy as much as delight. You are required to submit up to three PDF examples of your work.
Columnist of the Year Weekly Newspapers* Entrants should have a regular by-lined column or blog. The winner will be a journalist with a special style and the ability to provoke debate that may annoy as much as delight. You are required to submit up to three PDF examples of your work.
Sports Journalist of the Year- Daily Paper* Open to sports news writers, match reporters, feature writers and columnists on daily or weekly newspapers. Entries may be from a variety of sports or one specialist area. Judges will be looking for good writing and agenda setting reporting. If applicable to your entry, a single audio file (MP3), up to 15 minutes long can also be submitted in this category to reflect a sports journalist’s podcast. In total, you are required to submit up to three examples of your work, including any optional podcast entries.
Sports Journalist of the Year- Sunday/Weekly* Open to sports news writers, match reporters, feature writers and columnists on daily or weekly newspapers. Entries may be from a variety of sports or one specialist area. Judges will be looking for good writing and agenda setting reporting. If applicable to your entry, a single audio file (MP3), up to 15 minutes long can also be submitted in this category to reflect a sports journalist’s podcast. In total, you are required to submit up to three examples of your work, including any optional podcast entries.
Social Media Journalist of the Year* Open to anyone who regularly uses social media to enhance the public’s awareness of their own work and that of their publication/website. Entries may focus on an individual’s year-long all-round input or specific cases where an individual has shown imagination, technical awareness and flair to use the medium to full effect. A maximum of three URL links to act as examples of your best work should be submitted to demonstrate your work in its online form. You can also submit up to three PDFs or screen grabs of the same best examples of your work if this illustrates your work more clearly. Entrants are also encouraged to include a PDF file with supporting analytics, though this is optional. On this PDF document, or on your supporting statement you must outline how entries engaged audiences, using reference to the uploaded analytics.
Reporting Communities Award This award seeks to recognise the tremendous work that goes on in regional newspapers to ensure all communities are well covered. Entries can come from individual journalists or news teams that can show how they have ensured the diverse communities in their publication’s region are well served and that their journalists reach out to provide reporting that is inclusive and all-encompassing regardless of ethnicity, ability, faith or sexuality. You are required to submit up to three PDF examples of the individual or team’s work.
Weekly/ Sunday Reporter of the Year * The category for weekly newspaper reporters who provide the heart and soul of any newspaper. The judges will be looking for well-researched exclusives brilliantly told. Tenacity, flair, investigative skill and an ability to handle difficult subjects carefully will score highly. In the case of long-running investigations entrants may include up to three items to count as one story. You are required to submit up to three PDF examples of your work.
Daily Reporter of the Year* The category for daily newspaper reporters who provide the heart and soul of any newspaper. The judges will be looking for well-researched exclusives brilliantly told. Tenacity, flair, investigative skill and an ability to handle difficult subjects carefully will score highly. In the case of long-running investigations entrants may include up to three items to count as one story. You are required to submit up to three PDF examples of your work.
Weekly/ Sunday Photographer of the Year News, sports and features pictures used in a weekly newspaper are eligible. Judges will look for versatility, technical skill and the ability to capture the picture that matters. The mood of an interview, subject or feature needs to come across strongly. You are required to submit three JPEG images alongside three PDF files. The PDF files should show the photographs as they appeared in the paper or online, with the JPEG image showing the original image.
Daily Photographer of the Year News, sports and features pictures used in a daily newspaper are eligible. Judges will look for versatility, technical skill and the ability to capture the picture that matters. The mood of an interview, subject or feature needs to come across strongly. You are required to submit three JPEG images alongside three PDF files. The PDF files should show the photographs as they appeared in the paper or online, with the JPEG image showing the original image.
Designer of the Year- Newspaper An award for designers and graphic artists. Judges will look at finished pages that demonstrate innovative and skilled design and layout. You are required to submit up to three PDF examples of your work.
Designer of the Year- Magazine/ Supplement An award for designers and graphic artists. Judges will look at finished pages that demonstrate innovative and skilled design and layout. You are required to submit up to three PDF examples of your work.
Supplement of the Year Entries will be judged on outstanding content, design, use of photography and readability of a supplement that is published at regular intervals or to mark a special event or achievement, either with the newspaper or clearly linked to a local or regional paper. You should submit the two front page PDFs of the editions of the supplement you intend to submit (for this category you are also required to send in hard copies- for more information on this, please see the guidance.).
Magazine of the Year Many publishers and individual regional news centres produce high standard, superbly designed, monthly or regular standalone magazines. These are packed with wonderful content, are beautifully illustrated and give the national magazines a run for their money. This award recognises the growth in the quality of these magazines and seeks to reward one of the outstanding success stories of the regional press. The magazine must be produced as part of a stable of products from a regional news publisher. Entries will be judged on outstanding content, design, use of photography and readability. You should submit the two front page PDFs of the editions of the supplement you intend to submit (for this category you are also required to send in hard copies-for more information on this, please see the guidance.).
Front Page of the Year- Weekly/ Sunday Paper Judges will be looking for the outstanding and most memorable front page published in a regional or local newspaper during the year. You are required to submit only one PDF example of your one chosen Front Page.
Front Page of the Year- Daily Paper Judges will be looking for the outstanding and most memorable front page published in a regional or local newspaper during the year. You are required to submit only one PDF example of your one chosen Front Page.
Scoop of the Year The story or series of stories that everyone else wished they had broken. This can be a team or individual award. You may submit up to three PDF examples of your work. Supporting PDFs are limited to reflect only a single scoop.
Campaign of the Year Daily Paper Judges will be looking for campaigns that made waves, struck a chord with readers and simply made a difference. This can be a team or individual award. Entries will also be automatically considered for the Making a Difference award, organised by News Media Association. Supporting PDFs are limited to reflect only a single campaign.
Campaign of the Year Weekly/Sunday Paper Judges will be looking for campaigns that made waves, struck a chord with readers and simply made a difference. This can be a team or individual award. Entries will also be automatically considered for the Making a Difference award, organised by News Media Association. Supporting PDFs are limited to reflect only a single campaign.
Website of the Year The judges will look for excellent reporting, writing or flair and innovation in content, design and delivery and interaction with readers and will seek to recognise journalistic achievement online. Screengrabs showing examples of a brand’s use of an app are encouraged for those entries which have shifted or expanded into this medium. A maximum of three URL links to act as examples of your best work should be submitted to demonstrate your work in its online form. You can also submit up to three PDFs or screengrabs of the same best examples of your work if this illustrates your work more clearly. Entrants are also encouraged to include a PDF file with supporting analytics, though this is optional. On this PDF document, or on your supporting statement you must outline how entries engaged audiences, using reference to the uploaded analytics.
Social Media Team of the Year ** Open to news teams that have as a unit made the best use of social media platforms to reach out and engage with the public. Entrants may focus on sustained overall year-long achievements or pinpoint specific cases with breaking stories or campaigns. The judges will be looking for imagination, flair and technical know-how across a broad range of social media options. A maximum of three URL links to act as examples of the entrant’s best work should be submitted to demonstrate your work in its online form. You can also submit up to three PDFs or screen grabs of the same best examples of your work if this illustrates your work more clearly. Entrants are also encouraged to include a PDF file with supporting analytics, though this is optional. On this PDF document, or on your supporting statement you must outline how entries engaged audiences, using reference to the uploaded analytics.
Data Journalist of the Year * This award seeks to recognise those journalists who are making use of the wealth of data and information that is now available to newsrooms. It could be using their skills to mine data bases for that nugget of information that cracks a story wide open, or fantastic use of FoI, or tracking down and interpreting facts for readers that reveals a true insight into an important story. You are required to submit up to three PDF examples of your work.
Digital Live News Reporter of the Year * This award seeks to recognise those journalists who go live either on Facebook or via live blogs or live tweeting that through their skill and understanding of the medium take the reader and viewer with them to the heart of the action. You are required to submit up to three PDF examples of your work.
Digital Live Sports Reporter of the Year* This award seeks to recognise those sports journalists who go live either on Facebook or via live blogs or live tweeting that through their skill and understanding of the medium take the reader and viewer with them to the heart of the action. You are required to submit up to three PDF examples of your work.
Digital Initiative of the Year This category focuses on those bright ideas that changed the face of digital coverage. This could be an individual’s single idea that shaped a massive response from the public, or a team effort that showed flair and imagination as well as technical know-how. A maximum of three URL links to act as examples of the entrant’s best work should be submitted to demonstrate your work in its online form. You can also submit up to three PDFs or screengrabs of the same best examples of your work if this illustrates your work more clearly. If applicable to your entry, a single audio file (MP3), up to 15 minutes long can also be submitted in this category to reflect a brand’s podcast. In total, you are required to submit up to 3 examples of your work, including any optional podcast entries. Entrants are also encouraged to include a PDF file with supporting analytics, though this is optional. On this PDF document, or on your supporting statement you must outline how entries engaged audiences, using reference to the uploaded analytics.
The Overall Digital Award The judges will look for the newspaper that produces the best journalism and service to readers on a range of platforms whether this be website, mobile or any other means. Special attention will be made to innovation and use of social media including blogs. A maximum of three URL links to act as examples of the entrant’s best work should be submitted to demonstrate your work in its online form. You can also submit up to three PDFs or screen grabs of the same best examples of your work if this illustrates your work more clearly. Entrants are also encouraged to include a PDF file with supporting analytics, though this is optional. On this PDF document, or on your supporting statement you must outline how entries engaged audiences, using reference to the uploaded analytics.
Innovation and Initiative of the Year This category focusses on those brilliant innovations and ideas that have made their mark in the industry – from new supplements and sections to launches and re-launches of products. Entrants must show flair and imagination and explain the reasons behind the initiative and its effect. A maximum of three URL links to act as examples of the entrant’s best work should be submitted to demonstrate your work in its online form. You can also submit up to three PDFs or screen grabs of the same best examples of your work if this illustrates your work more clearly. Entrants are also encouraged to include a PDF file with supporting analytics, though this is optional. On this PDF document, or on your supporting statement you must outline how entries engaged audiences, using reference to the uploaded analytics.
The Cathryn Nicoll Award
The award is open to any journalist working for a weekly or daily local or regional newspaper published in the UK, who is aged between 18 and 25 as of the entry closing date of 2 March 2020. Entrants must submit a published feature or news story based on an interview that they have carried out with a well-known person or celebrity between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019. You are required to submit up to three PDF examples of your work. The Judges will be looking for what they consider to be the best entry on the basis of quality, flair and originality of the prose and contribution to public debate or entertainment.
Set up by the News Media Association, the Award has been launched 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, and the award will highlight and reward brilliant interviewing and feature writing by young journalists, with a cash prize of £500 for the winner.
Journalists’ Charity Award The winner will be chosen by the Journalists’ Charity and is in the gift of the charity’s council and recognises an individual or body that has made an outstanding contribution to journalism and journalists in any way. This award cannot be entered.
Paid for Weekly Newspaper of the Year- (including Sunday Newspapers): 2 awards:
1) Above 50,0000 total monthly reach for U.K. publications (not including Norther Ireland) + Above 10,000 circulation for Northern Ireland publications***
2) Below 50,000 total monthly reach for U.K. publications (not including Northern Ireland) + Below 10,000 circulation for Northern Ireland publications***
Weekly newspaper of the year categories will be judged by panels of experienced senior journalists or former journalists from all parts of the media. They will consider the achievements of each of the entries across all platforms set out in submissions by editors. The judges will look for service to the local community, great exclusives and successful campaigns, editorial achievements and other outstanding journalism. Editors will be required to send in three different editions of their newspaper.
***Category figures for total monthly reach are calculated using data from JICREG, November 2019. For submissions in this category from Northern Ireland the entry criteria has been kept the same as that of last year’s Paid for Weekly Newspaper of the Year category as JICREG data does not cover Northern Ireland. The Society of Editors endeavours to have total monthly reach criteria applicable to the U.K., including Northern Ireland ready for the Regional Press Awards for 2020.
(n.b. This year, Sunday newspaper of the year entries will be submitted as part of the Paid for Weekly Newspaper of the Year category, rather than the Daily Newspaper of the Year category, as the methodology for calculating the Sunday total monthly reach is similar to that of a weekly, not daily newspaper.)
Daily Newspaper of the Year- 2 awards:
1) Above 400,000 total monthly reach for U.K. publications (not including Northern Ireland) + Above 15,000 circulation for Northern Ireland publications***
2) Below 400,000 total monthly reach for U.K. publications (not including Northern Ireland) + Below 15,000 circulation for Northern Ireland publications***
Daily Newspaper of the Year categories will be judged by panels of experienced senior journalists or former journalists from all parts of the media. They will consider the achievements of each of the entries across all platforms set out in submissions by editors. The judges will look for service to the local community, great exclusives and successful campaigns, editorial achievements and other outstanding journalism. Editors will need to provide three different editions of their newspaper.
***Category figures for total monthly reach are calculated using data from JICREG, November 2019. For submissions in this category from Northern Ireland the entry criteria has been kept the same as that of last year’s Paid for Daily Newspaper of the Year category as JICREG data does not cover Northern Ireland. The Society of Editors endeavours to have total monthly reach criteria applicable to the U.K., including Northern Ireland ready for the Regional Press Awards for 2020.
Free Weekly Newspaper of the Year Free Weekly Newspaper of the Year will be judged by panels of experienced senior journalists or former journalists from all parts of the media. They will consider the achievements of each of the entries across all platforms set out in submissions by editors. The judges will look for service to the local community, great exclusives and successful campaigns, editorial achievements and other outstanding journalism. Editors will be required to send in three different editions of their newspaper.
