The Society of Editors has announced that its upcoming Regional Press Awards and Satchwell lecture have been postponed due to the current coronavirus crisis.  In place of the awards ceremony for the National Press Awards, the winners were announced online on April 3. 

The Society’s executive director, Ian Murray said, “The government’s advice is to avoid social gatherings for the immediate future, and the safety of our members and guests is paramount.”

He added it is with a heavy heart that the regional awards commending the work of the media are to be postponed. “The Society is determined to ensure that the fantastic work undertaken by journalists working in the UK’s press does not go unrecognised.

“The information of who has triumphed will be kept under lock and key until later in the year.”

The Press Awards, which attracts around 500 attendees, were due to be held on April 2 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. Winners have been announced online and the awards dinner has been cancelled. A full e-brochure listing those shortlisted can be found here. 

The Regional Press Awards, due to take place in June, have also been postponed. A shortlist of those nominated for the awards will be published in the spring when it is hoped to be able to announce further details of the rescheduled awards event.

The Satchwell Lecture was due to take place in early May, to be delivered by editor of the Daily Mail, Geordie Greig. The event, a highlight of the media calendar, will be postponed to a date later in the year.

The Society’s annual conference is still scheduled to take place in Cardiff on the evening of November 9 and the day of November 10, 2020.  

More details will follow in due course. Keep up to date with Society announcements on our Twitter page @EditorsUK.