YOUR 2020 WINNERS
An agenda-setting interview with Boris Johnson, a campaign to change dog laws in Scotland and an original investigation into isolation booths in Yorkshire’s schools were among the winners at the IRN Awards 2020 in association with Sky News.
The virtual event was hosted by Sky News presenter Kay Burley who announced the winners via a special live stream after the usual proceedings at Sky Cinema had to be adjusted in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
talkRADIO won the ‘Best Interview’ Award after the Prime Minister told Ross Kempsell that the UK would be leaving the European Union by October 31st ‘do or die.’ The judges described it as a ‘scoop’ which haunted the PM as the deadline came and went.
Radio City in Liverpool was awarded ‘News Team of the Year’ in the over 1.5m TSA category for its ‘ability to produce atmospheric content filled with arresting voices, colour and emotion.’ The judges said the station’s entry showed genuine presence from journalists fully embedded in their community.
Aberdeen’s Northsound News won ‘News Team of the Year’ in the under 1.5m TSA version. They ‘demonstrated strong reporting, creative storytelling and powerful interviews that had impact’ according to the judging panel.
For the second successive year, LBC’s Rachael Venables was named ‘Reporter of the Year’ in the over 1.5m TSA category. Her reporting was hailed as ‘authoritative and sure-footed’ by judges who praised her capacity to ‘combine high quality journalism with an enviable ability to seek out exclusives.’
‘Personality shines through’ Natasha Reid’s reporting according to judges who awarded the West FM journalist ‘Reporter of the Year’ in the under 1.5m TSA. They said: ‘from interviewing emotional families to live reporting at the scene, she is very capable of adapting her style to ensure she’s getting the most from her contributors.’
Bauer Yorkshire’s ‘Investigation into School Isolation Booths’ was the winner of the ‘Best News Special or Feature.’ The story, about the use of booths as a form of discipline, was cited as ‘great original journalism supported by strong case studies and highly creative use of audio and interviews.’
Global’s North West Newsroom won the prize for Best Sports Coverage for its ‘huge variety of stories, angles and colour.’ The judges said the entry showed that the team ‘clearly knows its audience’ and covers sport in ‘engaging and informative way.’
Leading the way in the Campaigning Journalism Award was Radio Clyde’s ‘Lead the Way: Change Scotland’s Dog Laws.’ Described by the judges as ‘superbly executed from idea to outcome’ the panel praised the ‘originality of the concept – to protect people from dangerous dogs – which ended up in front of the very people who could change the law.’
Katie Radley from Global’s Newsroom Yorkshire and North East was the recipient of the ‘Newsreader of the Year’ in the over 1.5m TSA category. Judges remarked on her ‘confident and relatable delivery’ and ‘flair for presentation.’ Free Radio’s Polly Bayfield was the ‘stand-out’ winner in the under 1.5m TSA version. She ‘combines powerful and emotive audio with creative treatments and is equally at home reading bulletins in the studio or on location’ according to the judges.
There was further success for Free Radio with Helen Hoddinott being named the ‘Newcomer of the Year.’ Her ‘confident and descriptive delivery’ was highlighted by the judges who also said she demonstrated a ‘real flair in her broadcasting, producing an impressive range of stories including an investigation into students being attacked on their way home from nightclubs.’
‘An extremely talented journalist who demonstrates expertly written and edited packages’ was the endorsement of Amelia Beckett from the University of Sheffield who won the Student Journalist of the Year award, supported by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council.
The prestigious IRN Gold Award was presented to LBC’s Nick Ferrari to mark his outstanding contribution to commercial radio news. He was introduced as a giant of the industry, a brilliant broadcaster who has consistently delivered record breaking audiences and a man whose show has put commercial radio at the heart of the news agenda like never before.
Viewers were played a montage of Ferrari's best interview clips in which he challenges Boris Johnson, Michael Gove, Dianne Abbott, the former Green Party leader Natalie Bennett and the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick.
Accepting the award, Ferrari said: “These are strange times to be receiving an award but I know it’s great that there are many class Global acts that are on the list so for me to actually receive one means a lot. Thank you so much.”
Commenting on the awards, IRN and Sky News Radio Editor Dave Terris said:
“It is important to recognise the quality, enterprise and tenacity of commercial radio journalists who consistently deliver a broad range of stories that put people at the heart of their coverage. The IRN Awards celebrate the impressive array of talent across the network which continues to produce engaging and distinctive content for millions of listeners who rely on trusted, comprehensive news and sport. I would like to congratulate all the winners and thank everyone who helped make the event happen in challenging circumstances.”
IRN Managing Director, Tim Molloy said:
“Radio is consistently found to be among the most trusted sources of news and information and these annual IRN Awards consistently highlight why this is so. What cuts through when listening to the nominees in each category is not just the skill and professionalism in creating carefully crafted short packages and bulletins but also the determination to tell a good story, through the experience of those most affected by the news. In this way the reality of knife crime, drug addiction, mental health, teenage suicide, homelessness, and the county lines gangs, is brought to life for the station’s audience. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who took the time to enter, and thank you also to our judges who freely gave up their time to pick the best out of a very good bunch of entries.”
The winners list in full:
IRN Gold Award
Nick Ferrari
News Team of the Year (Over 1.5m TSA)
Radio City
News Team of the Year (Under 1.5m TSA)
Northsound News
Best News Special or Feature
Investigation Into School Isolation Booths – Bauer Yorkshire
Reporter of the Year (Over 1.5m TSA)
Rachael Venables – LBC
Reporter of the Year (Under 1.5m TSA)
Natasha Reid – West FM
Best Sports Coverage
Global’s North West Sports Coverage – Global’s North West Newsroom
Campaigning Journalism Award
Lead The Way: Change Scotland’s Dog Laws – Radio Clyde
Best Interview
Boris Johnson Interview - talkRADIO
Newsreader of the Year (Over 1.5m TSA)
Katie Radley – Global’s Newsroom Yorkshire and North-East
Newsreader of the Year (Under 1.5m TSA)
Polly Bayfield – Free Radio
Newcomer of the Year
Helen Hoddinott – Free Radio
Student Journalist of the Year - Supported by the BJTC
Amelia Beckett – The University of Sheffield
The virtual event was hosted by Sky News presenter Kay Burley who announced the winners via a special live stream after the usual proceedings at Sky Cinema had to be adjusted in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
talkRADIO won the ‘Best Interview’ Award after the Prime Minister told Ross Kempsell that the UK would be leaving the European Union by October 31st ‘do or die.’ The judges described it as a ‘scoop’ which haunted the PM as the deadline came and went.
Radio City in Liverpool was awarded ‘News Team of the Year’ in the over 1.5m TSA category for its ‘ability to produce atmospheric content filled with arresting voices, colour and emotion.’ The judges said the station’s entry showed genuine presence from journalists fully embedded in their community.
Aberdeen’s Northsound News won ‘News Team of the Year’ in the under 1.5m TSA version. They ‘demonstrated strong reporting, creative storytelling and powerful interviews that had impact’ according to the judging panel.
For the second successive year, LBC’s Rachael Venables was named ‘Reporter of the Year’ in the over 1.5m TSA category. Her reporting was hailed as ‘authoritative and sure-footed’ by judges who praised her capacity to ‘combine high quality journalism with an enviable ability to seek out exclusives.’
‘Personality shines through’ Natasha Reid’s reporting according to judges who awarded the West FM journalist ‘Reporter of the Year’ in the under 1.5m TSA. They said: ‘from interviewing emotional families to live reporting at the scene, she is very capable of adapting her style to ensure she’s getting the most from her contributors.’
Bauer Yorkshire’s ‘Investigation into School Isolation Booths’ was the winner of the ‘Best News Special or Feature.’ The story, about the use of booths as a form of discipline, was cited as ‘great original journalism supported by strong case studies and highly creative use of audio and interviews.’
Global’s North West Newsroom won the prize for Best Sports Coverage for its ‘huge variety of stories, angles and colour.’ The judges said the entry showed that the team ‘clearly knows its audience’ and covers sport in ‘engaging and informative way.’
Leading the way in the Campaigning Journalism Award was Radio Clyde’s ‘Lead the Way: Change Scotland’s Dog Laws.’ Described by the judges as ‘superbly executed from idea to outcome’ the panel praised the ‘originality of the concept – to protect people from dangerous dogs – which ended up in front of the very people who could change the law.’
Katie Radley from Global’s Newsroom Yorkshire and North East was the recipient of the ‘Newsreader of the Year’ in the over 1.5m TSA category. Judges remarked on her ‘confident and relatable delivery’ and ‘flair for presentation.’ Free Radio’s Polly Bayfield was the ‘stand-out’ winner in the under 1.5m TSA version. She ‘combines powerful and emotive audio with creative treatments and is equally at home reading bulletins in the studio or on location’ according to the judges.
There was further success for Free Radio with Helen Hoddinott being named the ‘Newcomer of the Year.’ Her ‘confident and descriptive delivery’ was highlighted by the judges who also said she demonstrated a ‘real flair in her broadcasting, producing an impressive range of stories including an investigation into students being attacked on their way home from nightclubs.’
‘An extremely talented journalist who demonstrates expertly written and edited packages’ was the endorsement of Amelia Beckett from the University of Sheffield who won the Student Journalist of the Year award, supported by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council.
The prestigious IRN Gold Award was presented to LBC’s Nick Ferrari to mark his outstanding contribution to commercial radio news. He was introduced as a giant of the industry, a brilliant broadcaster who has consistently delivered record breaking audiences and a man whose show has put commercial radio at the heart of the news agenda like never before.
Viewers were played a montage of Ferrari's best interview clips in which he challenges Boris Johnson, Michael Gove, Dianne Abbott, the former Green Party leader Natalie Bennett and the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick.
Accepting the award, Ferrari said: “These are strange times to be receiving an award but I know it’s great that there are many class Global acts that are on the list so for me to actually receive one means a lot. Thank you so much.”
Commenting on the awards, IRN and Sky News Radio Editor Dave Terris said:
“It is important to recognise the quality, enterprise and tenacity of commercial radio journalists who consistently deliver a broad range of stories that put people at the heart of their coverage. The IRN Awards celebrate the impressive array of talent across the network which continues to produce engaging and distinctive content for millions of listeners who rely on trusted, comprehensive news and sport. I would like to congratulate all the winners and thank everyone who helped make the event happen in challenging circumstances.”
IRN Managing Director, Tim Molloy said:
“Radio is consistently found to be among the most trusted sources of news and information and these annual IRN Awards consistently highlight why this is so. What cuts through when listening to the nominees in each category is not just the skill and professionalism in creating carefully crafted short packages and bulletins but also the determination to tell a good story, through the experience of those most affected by the news. In this way the reality of knife crime, drug addiction, mental health, teenage suicide, homelessness, and the county lines gangs, is brought to life for the station’s audience. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who took the time to enter, and thank you also to our judges who freely gave up their time to pick the best out of a very good bunch of entries.”
The winners list in full:
IRN Gold Award
Nick Ferrari
News Team of the Year (Over 1.5m TSA)
Radio City
News Team of the Year (Under 1.5m TSA)
Northsound News
Best News Special or Feature
Investigation Into School Isolation Booths – Bauer Yorkshire
Reporter of the Year (Over 1.5m TSA)
Rachael Venables – LBC
Reporter of the Year (Under 1.5m TSA)
Natasha Reid – West FM
Best Sports Coverage
Global’s North West Sports Coverage – Global’s North West Newsroom
Campaigning Journalism Award
Lead The Way: Change Scotland’s Dog Laws – Radio Clyde
Best Interview
Boris Johnson Interview - talkRADIO
Newsreader of the Year (Over 1.5m TSA)
Katie Radley – Global’s Newsroom Yorkshire and North-East
Newsreader of the Year (Under 1.5m TSA)
Polly Bayfield – Free Radio
Newcomer of the Year
Helen Hoddinott – Free Radio
Student Journalist of the Year - Supported by the BJTC
Amelia Beckett – The University of Sheffield
THE 2020 NOMINEES IN FULL
The Awards celebrate news and sports journalism in commercial radio, recognising reporting, presentation, production, interviews, features and campaigns. There are 12 categories including the Student Journalist of the Year prize which is supported by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council, and the winner of the coveted IRN Gold Award, which recognises an outstanding contribution to commercial radio news, will also be revealed on the night.
And the nominees are....
Newcomer of the Year:
Vicki Smith - Global’s Newsroom Yorkshire and North-East
Fraser Knight - Global's Newsroom Scotland
Helen Hoddinott - Free Radio
Daniel Bevan - Global’s Newsroom Wales
Emily Hulme - Global’s Newsroom North West
Newsreader of the Year (hubs or stations under 1.5m TSA):
Alex Brooke - Revolution 96.2 FM
Charlotte Foley - Viking FM
John Callan - Radio Forth & Radio Borders
Paul Kelly, West FM
Polly Bayfield - Free Radio
Newsreader of the Year (hubs or stations over 1.5m TSA):
Rebecca Cook - Global's Newsroom Scotland
Victoria Glover - Hits Radio
Adam Barber - Global's Newsroom London
Becky Cahill - Hits Radio Manchester
Katie Radley - Global's Newsroom Yorkshire and North-East
Best Interview:
Surviving Medomsley - Global's Newsroom Yorkshire and North-East
One Mother's Harrowing Tale Of Her Son's Involvement In County Lines Drugs Gangs - LBC
Boris Johnson Interview - talkRADIO
A Mum Left Behind: An MDMA Story - Paul Doward for Radio City
President Trump: An LBC World Exclusive - LBC
Reporter of the Year (hubs or stations under 1.5m TSA):
Jo Summerbell - JACK fm Oxfordshire
Natasha Reid - West FM
Ben Bason - Bauer Yorkshire
Bryan Rutherford - Northsound and MFR
Alex Meakin - JACK fm Oxfordshire
Reporter of the Year (hubs or stations over 1.5m TSA):
Charlotte Lynch - Global's Newsroom Yorkshire and North-East
Helen Hoddinott - Free Radio
Rachael Venables - LBC
Phil McDonald - Global's Newsroom Scotland
Rosanna Robins - Bauer Yorkshire
Campaigning Journalism Award:
Mental Health Monday: Lost Childhoods - Radio City Talk
Some Veterans are still fighting for their lives - The Wave & Swansea Sound
Lead the Way: Change Scotland's Dog Laws - Radio Clyde
A Life with Lipoedema - Free Radio
The Homeless Charity that became Homeless - Downtown Radio & Cool FM.
Best News Special or Feature:
Sierra Leone: Where Death Often Follows Birth - Premier Christian Radio
Investigation into School Isolation Booths - Bauer Yorkshire
Gateshead, Drugs and Deaths - Metro Radio
Surviving Medomsley - Global's Newsroom Yorkshire and North-East
Kiss Life: Let’s Talk About…- Kiss FM
Student Journalist of the Year - supported by the BJTC:
Kirk Asiedu - The University of Northampton
Hannah Makepeace - The University of Sheffield
Joshua Zitser - City, University of London
Amelia Beckett - The University of Sheffield
Gianni Marini - Glasgow Caledonian University
Best Sports Coverage:
Scottish Football: The Highs and Lows - Clyde 1 and Clyde 2
GameDay Exclusive - talkSPORT
Leeds United Centenary - Radio Aire
Global's North West Sports Coverage - Global's North West Newsroom
England's Tour of the West Indies - talkSPORT 2
News Team of the Year (hubs or stations under 1.5m TSA):
Radio Forth News
Mix 96 News
The JACK News Team
Northsound News
West FM News
News Team of the Year (hubs or stations over 1.5m TSA):
Global's Newsroom Wales
Hits Radio News Team
Global's Newsroom West
Radio City
Global's Newsroom Yorkshire and North East
IRN Editor and Chair of Judges, Dave Terris said:
This is a stellar list of nominations representing the gold standard in commercial radio news and sport. The range and depth of coverage demonstrates a firm commitment to outstanding journalism all for the benefit of the millions of listeners who tune in every day. I would like to thank the judges for their time and expertise and congratulate everyone who has been nominated for an IRN Award.
THE 2020 NOMINEES IN FULL
The Awards celebrate news and sports journalism in commercial radio, recognising reporting, presentation, production, interviews, features and campaigns. There are 12 categories including the Student Journalist of the Year prize which is supported by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council, and the winner of the coveted IRN Gold Award, which recognises an outstanding contribution to commercial radio news, will also be revealed on the night.
And the nominees are....
Newcomer of the Year:
Vicki Smith - Global’s Newsroom Yorkshire and North-East
Fraser Knight - Global's Newsroom Scotland
Helen Hoddinott - Free Radio
Daniel Bevan - Global’s Newsroom Wales
Emily Hulme - Global’s Newsroom North West
Newsreader of the Year (hubs or stations under 1.5m TSA):
Alex Brooke - Revolution 96.2 FM
Charlotte Foley - Viking FM
John Callan - Radio Forth & Radio Borders
Paul Kelly, West FM
Polly Bayfield - Free Radio
Newsreader of the Year (hubs or stations over 1.5m TSA):
Rebecca Cook - Global's Newsroom Scotland
Victoria Glover - Hits Radio
Adam Barber - Global's Newsroom London
Becky Cahill - Hits Radio Manchester
Katie Radley - Global's Newsroom Yorkshire and North-East
Best Interview:
Surviving Medomsley - Global's Newsroom Yorkshire and North-East
One Mother's Harrowing Tale Of Her Son's Involvement In County Lines Drugs Gangs - LBC
Boris Johnson Interview - talkRADIO
A Mum Left Behind: An MDMA Story - Paul Doward for Radio City
President Trump: An LBC World Exclusive - LBC
Reporter of the Year (hubs or stations under 1.5m TSA):
Jo Summerbell - JACK fm Oxfordshire
Natasha Reid - West FM
Ben Bason - Bauer Yorkshire
Bryan Rutherford - Northsound and MFR
Alex Meakin - JACK fm Oxfordshire
Reporter of the Year (hubs or stations over 1.5m TSA):
Charlotte Lynch - Global's Newsroom Yorkshire and North-East
Helen Hoddinott - Free Radio
Rachael Venables - LBC
Phil McDonald - Global's Newsroom Scotland
Rosanna Robins - Bauer Yorkshire
Campaigning Journalism Award:
Mental Health Monday: Lost Childhoods - Radio City Talk
Some Veterans are still fighting for their lives - The Wave & Swansea Sound
Lead the Way: Change Scotland's Dog Laws - Radio Clyde
A Life with Lipoedema - Free Radio
The Homeless Charity that became Homeless - Downtown Radio & Cool FM.
Best News Special or Feature:
Sierra Leone: Where Death Often Follows Birth - Premier Christian Radio
Investigation into School Isolation Booths - Bauer Yorkshire
Gateshead, Drugs and Deaths - Metro Radio
Surviving Medomsley - Global's Newsroom Yorkshire and North-East
Kiss Life: Let’s Talk About…- Kiss FM
Student Journalist of the Year - supported by the BJTC:
Kirk Asiedu - The University of Northampton
Hannah Makepeace - The University of Sheffield
Joshua Zitser - City, University of London
Amelia Beckett - The University of Sheffield
Gianni Marini - Glasgow Caledonian University
Best Sports Coverage:
Scottish Football: The Highs and Lows - Clyde 1 and Clyde 2
GameDay Exclusive - talkSPORT
Leeds United Centenary - Radio Aire
Global's North West Sports Coverage - Global's North West Newsroom
England's Tour of the West Indies - talkSPORT 2
News Team of the Year (hubs or stations under 1.5m TSA):
Radio Forth News
Mix 96 News
The JACK News Team
Northsound News
West FM News
News Team of the Year (hubs or stations over 1.5m TSA):
Global's Newsroom Wales
Hits Radio News Team
Global's Newsroom West
Radio City
Global's Newsroom Yorkshire and North East
IRN Editor and Chair of Judges, Dave Terris said:
This is a stellar list of nominations representing the gold standard in commercial radio news and sport. The range and depth of coverage demonstrates a firm commitment to outstanding journalism all for the benefit of the millions of listeners who tune in every day. I would like to thank the judges for their time and expertise and congratulate everyone who has been nominated for an IRN Award.