2020 Winners & Judges Comments
IRN Gold Award - Nick Ferrari - LBC from Global Radio
A brilliant broadcaster who has consistently delivered record-breaking audiences. A man whose show, has put commercial radio at the heart of the news agenda like never before
A brilliant broadcaster who has consistently delivered record-breaking audiences. A man whose show, has put commercial radio at the heart of the news agenda like never before
News Team of the Year (Over 1.5m TSA) - Global's Newsroom Yorkshire and North East
Radio City’s entry showed genuine presence from journalists fully embedded in their community. From the euphoric celebrations of Liverpool’s Champions League parade to truly moving testimony from the mother of a young girl killed in a road accident, the team demonstrated their ability to produce atmospheric content filled with arresting voices, colour and emotion.
Radio City’s entry showed genuine presence from journalists fully embedded in their community. From the euphoric celebrations of Liverpool’s Champions League parade to truly moving testimony from the mother of a young girl killed in a road accident, the team demonstrated their ability to produce atmospheric content filled with arresting voices, colour and emotion.
News Team of the Year (Under 1.5m TSA) - Northsound News
An impressive range of stories from a team in tune with their audience. They demonstrated strong reporting, creative storytelling and powerful interviews that had impact. The judges recognised their ability to get to grips with campaigns, find people at the heart of stories and get into the community to deliver some brilliant journalism.
An impressive range of stories from a team in tune with their audience. They demonstrated strong reporting, creative storytelling and powerful interviews that had impact. The judges recognised their ability to get to grips with campaigns, find people at the heart of stories and get into the community to deliver some brilliant journalism.
Best News Special or Feature - Investigation into School Isolation Booths - Bauer Yorkshire
A great original journalism investigation supported by strong case studies and highly creative use of audio and interviews. Well scripted and beautifully crafted using lots of production techniques and tools. The judges particularly liked the way the feature was versioned for each of the three local Bauer stations in Yorkshire.
A great original journalism investigation supported by strong case studies and highly creative use of audio and interviews. Well scripted and beautifully crafted using lots of production techniques and tools. The judges particularly liked the way the feature was versioned for each of the three local Bauer stations in Yorkshire.
Reporter of the Year (Over 1.5m TSA) - Rachael Venables – LBC from Global Radio
Rachel’s reporting is authoritative and sure-footed. She combines high quality journalism with an enviable ability to seek out exclusives; her trafficking and sex-for-rent doorsteps made compelling listening. These, combined with an ability to deliver strong live-broadcasts on breaking stories, made Rachael stand out in a varied field of promising young talents.
Rachel’s reporting is authoritative and sure-footed. She combines high quality journalism with an enviable ability to seek out exclusives; her trafficking and sex-for-rent doorsteps made compelling listening. These, combined with an ability to deliver strong live-broadcasts on breaking stories, made Rachael stand out in a varied field of promising young talents.
Reporter of the Year (Under 1.5m TSA) - Natasha Reid - West FM
Personality shines through from Natasha’s reporting, a lovely natural broadcaster who displayed her superb skills with a wide range of stories covered. From interviewing emotional families to live reporting at the scene, Natasha is very capable of adapting her style to ensure she’s getting the most from her contributors. This entry stood out in this category as a great example of how to tell stories that matter to your community.
Personality shines through from Natasha’s reporting, a lovely natural broadcaster who displayed her superb skills with a wide range of stories covered. From interviewing emotional families to live reporting at the scene, Natasha is very capable of adapting her style to ensure she’s getting the most from her contributors. This entry stood out in this category as a great example of how to tell stories that matter to your community.
Best Sports Coverage - Globals North West Sports Coverage - Global's North West Newsroom
An excellent entry from a team that clearly knows its audience and proves you don’t need rights to cover sport in an engaging and informative way. There was a huge variety of stories, angles, colour demonstrated. To cover such a large patch in a way that stands out from the crowd is a credit to the team and a good example of why local radio should still cover sport.
An excellent entry from a team that clearly knows its audience and proves you don’t need rights to cover sport in an engaging and informative way. There was a huge variety of stories, angles, colour demonstrated. To cover such a large patch in a way that stands out from the crowd is a credit to the team and a good example of why local radio should still cover sport.
Campaigning Journalism Award - Lead the Way - Changes Scotland's Dog Laws - Radio Clyde
This was superbly-executed, campaigning journalism at its finest from idea to outcome. It was the clear winner in this category and the judges were impressed by the originality of the concept- to protect people from dangerous dogs - to how they sought to use FOI to build their case, got the whole station on board, and ended up in front of the very people who could change the law. It was an excellent title to head the campaign with a simple, clear aim. This was a lesson in how to use radio and the reach of their station to really make a difference.
This was superbly-executed, campaigning journalism at its finest from idea to outcome. It was the clear winner in this category and the judges were impressed by the originality of the concept- to protect people from dangerous dogs - to how they sought to use FOI to build their case, got the whole station on board, and ended up in front of the very people who could change the law. It was an excellent title to head the campaign with a simple, clear aim. This was a lesson in how to use radio and the reach of their station to really make a difference.
Best Interview - Boris Johnson Interview by Ross Kempsell - talkRADIO
The winner set the agenda - do or die was something Boris Johnson did not want to say, and became a pledge that haunted the Prime Minister as the deadline of October 31st came and went. As well this news scoop, the interviewer also managed to reveal another aspect to the Prime Minister's relationship with buses. It completed a brilliant interview.
The winner set the agenda - do or die was something Boris Johnson did not want to say, and became a pledge that haunted the Prime Minister as the deadline of October 31st came and went. As well this news scoop, the interviewer also managed to reveal another aspect to the Prime Minister's relationship with buses. It completed a brilliant interview.
Newsreader of the Year (Over 1.5m TSA) - Katie Radley - Global's Newsroom Yorkshire & North-East
The judges were extremely impressed with Katie’s delivery which was confident and relatable for her target audience. They enjoyed her handling of the Brexit story - bringing in an expert from a local university to explain the latest and mixing it creatively with clips from the House of Commons. Her use of audio from deal or no deal made another strand of the EU withdrawal story come alive. Her bulletin on the flooding in Yorkshire put you at the centre of developments. She has a great balance of authority and confidence alongside a flair for presentation.
The judges were extremely impressed with Katie’s delivery which was confident and relatable for her target audience. They enjoyed her handling of the Brexit story - bringing in an expert from a local university to explain the latest and mixing it creatively with clips from the House of Commons. Her use of audio from deal or no deal made another strand of the EU withdrawal story come alive. Her bulletin on the flooding in Yorkshire put you at the centre of developments. She has a great balance of authority and confidence alongside a flair for presentation.
Newsreader of the Year (Under 1.5m TSA) - Polly Bayfield - Free Radio
Polly has a natural authority and engaging delivery, making her the stand-out winner in this category. She combines powerful and emotive audio with creative treatments and is equally at home reading bulletins in the studio or on location. Above all, she's what we are looking for in a winner because she doesn't just read the news but is an exceptional communicator.
Polly has a natural authority and engaging delivery, making her the stand-out winner in this category. She combines powerful and emotive audio with creative treatments and is equally at home reading bulletins in the studio or on location. Above all, she's what we are looking for in a winner because she doesn't just read the news but is an exceptional communicator.
Newcomer of the Year - Helen Hoddinott - Free Radio
Helen 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, and a clear explanation of a Brexit vote – no mean feat! Helen’s delivery is confident and descriptive, using soundbites to maximum impact and allowing audio to breathe. Some very good digital content, showing Helen is just at ease in front of the camera as much as behind a microphone.
Helen 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, and a clear explanation of a Brexit vote – no mean feat! Helen’s delivery is confident and descriptive, using soundbites to maximum impact and allowing audio to breathe. Some very good digital content, showing Helen is just at ease in front of the camera as much as behind a microphone.
Student Journalist of the Year - Supported by the BJTC - Amelia Beckett - The University of Sheffield
An extremely talented journalist who demonstrates expertly-written and edited packages. She has a great interview technique, which allowed her to challenge a controversial interviewee in a non-aggressive way and get the best out of them.
An extremely talented journalist who demonstrates expertly-written and edited packages. She has a great interview technique, which allowed her to challenge a controversial interviewee in a non-aggressive way and get the best out of them.