The News Media Association’s (NMA) Making a Difference showcase will set out to highlight powerful national and local news media campaigning, it has been confirmed.

Launched ahead of Journalism Matters week next Monday 5 October, the entries will form the basis of a public vote from Monday 5 to Wednesday 7 October where the public will be asked to pick their favourite local and national campaigns of 2019. The entries in the Making a Difference categories are made up of the submissions in the national and regional Campaign of the Year categories from the Society of Editors’ regional and national press awards.

The vote will run for three days, closing at 5pm on Wednesday 7 October, with the local and national winners announced on Friday 9 October. 2020 is the first time that national newspaper campaigns have featured in the Making a Difference public vote. 

Powerful campaigns included in the showcase will include the Daily Mirror’s Britain Talks which brought together people with diverse political views and the Daily Mail’s hard-hitting campaign to support families affected by dementia. Campaigns in the local Making a Difference showcase include the Express and Star’s fundraising drive to save a local hospice and the Eastern Daily Press’ campaign to help young people with mental health issues. All of the campaign entries in the Local and National showcase can be viewed online ahead of the vote opening next week.  

Making a Difference is part of the News Media Association’s annual Journalism Matters campaign to highlight the vital role journalism plays with a particular focus on the role of news media during the coronavirus pandemic.