2021 Winners & Judges Comments
IRN Gold Award - Lisa Aziz - LBC - Global Radio
The recipient of this year’s gold award has reported on some of the biggest news stories for the past 38 years. A fantastic broadcaster who started her career at Radio City in Liverpool before making the switch to TV. But she’s now returned to radio, and sets the agenda for hundreds of thousands of listeners.
The recipient of this year’s gold award has reported on some of the biggest news stories for the past 38 years. A fantastic broadcaster who started her career at Radio City in Liverpool before making the switch to TV. But she’s now returned to radio, and sets the agenda for hundreds of thousands of listeners.
News Team of the Year (Over 1.5m TSA) - Hits Radio News Team Manchester
This small and evidently hard-working team impressed the judges with the breadth of stories showcased, and a real feel for arresting audio. Their coverage of the Hashem Abedi trial demonstrated sensitivity, legal knowledge and a keen awareness of the importance of the case to people in the community they serve. The Check It Out campaign urging people to be aware of the early signs of cancer- was covered with originality and enthusiasm- this felt like a team not frightened to take on big and varied material with flair and energy. A deserved winner.
This small and evidently hard-working team impressed the judges with the breadth of stories showcased, and a real feel for arresting audio. Their coverage of the Hashem Abedi trial demonstrated sensitivity, legal knowledge and a keen awareness of the importance of the case to people in the community they serve. The Check It Out campaign urging people to be aware of the early signs of cancer- was covered with originality and enthusiasm- this felt like a team not frightened to take on big and varied material with flair and energy. A deserved winner.
News Team of the Year (Under 1.5m TSA) - Hallam FM News
This is a team at the top of its game, providing listeners with a range of compelling stories, neatly scripted and superbly produced.
The judges were impressed with the strength of journalism at the heart of the entry, which resulted in distinctive takes on big issues and a real commitment to reporting the news that matters to the people in the area. The breadth of content on the pandemic – from the rise in domestic violence cases to the fun report on hairdressers reopening – demonstrated a flair for creative thinking and excellent delivery. A worthy winner.
Best News Special or Feature - Behind the Walls of Forest Bank - Global's Newsroom North West
This was an incredibly powerful piece of journalism and storytelling which truly gave the voiceless a voice. The reporter was immersed in the story and this shone through in the moving interviews which were sensitively handled. The clips were carefully chosen and felt impactful and the reporting was tenacious and thorough. The judges were especially impressed with the anonymous interview with a prison guard, and the journey to the local MP. The piece answered questions and highlighted an important local story. Jess Forbes has produced a fantastic and engaging example of journalistic investigation.
Reporter of the Year (Over 1.5m TSA) - Charlotte Elmore - Global's Newsroom Yorkshire and North East
A brilliant entry: superb, authentic storytelling, demonstrating a great mix of journalistic ability. Powerful voices, scripting and tone setting music on the issue of knife crime. Delivered with a human touch: "it felt like we were from different worlds." The story of DIY botox was revelatory, with brilliant voices, using vivid vocabulary: "things can go black and drop off." Then there was Charlotte's scrutiny of the Prime Minister and the impact of the pandemic on people of Chinese heritage. A deserving winner in a highly competitive field.
Reporter of the Year (Under 1.5m TSA) - Callum Clark - Radio Tay
The judges were very impressed with the broad range of stories Callum has covered and the interviews he secured to bring them to life. His delivery and production skills really stood out. Callum demonstrated that he is as comfortable covering key local issues such as the reform of mental health services as he is reporting at a football match. An engaging radio journalist who knows how to get to the heart of a story.
Best Sports Coverage - GameDay Exclusive - talkSPORT
GameDay Exclusive highlights talkSPORT’s top quality commentary, punditry and production. The entry demonstrates a commitment to strong journalism, tackling heavy hitting subjects like racism and homophobia. There are exclusive interviews and engaging features with the David James goalkeeper one particularly grabbing the judges’ ear. This show feels like a must listen to get your Premier League fix on a Saturday.
Campaigning Journalism Award - Joan's Legacy - West FM
The “Joan’s Legacy” campaign shows how local commercial radio can make a real difference. West FM fought tooth and nail to improve the safety of one of south-west Scotland’s busiest roads and kept banging the drum for several years to make it happen. With powerful interviews, clear storytelling and a refusal to give up, this is campaigning journalism at its finest – and the West FM team can be rightly proud of creating positive change in the area they serve.
Best Interview - Harry Dunn - A Family's Fight by Lindsay Alder - Global's Newsroom Midlands
This year’s winner displayed compassion and professionalism to get Harry Dunn’s parents to talk openly and movingly about their grief one year on, and their ongoing campaign for justice following the suspect’s flight to the US. In Charlotte Dunn’s own words: “Lindsay just has a way about her and no matter how nervous and down I feel, she has a knack of putting me at my ease and helping to open up and tell Harry’s story.” The interview kept the story in the news when coronavirus was rightly dominating bulletins and led to both UK and US governments issuing new press statements.
Newsreader of the Year (Over 1.5m TSA) - Adam Barber - Global's Newsroom London
Adam always sounds full of energy, confidence and passion. He has a clear ability to shift his tone depending on the story like it’s second nature - and when it comes to lighter content, you can always hear his smile. Adam’s choice of audio when building bulletins always provides balance and shines a light on the wide range of people and industries that may be affected. His creative skills and ability to think outside of the box are a huge asset.
Newsreader of the Year (Under 1.5m TSA) - Ben Bason - Bauer Yorkshire
Ben’s strength is sharp writing – using conversational, everyday language and phrasing resulting in understandable and impactful, targeted bulletins. His bulletins are expertly constructed with localness and relevance throughout, taking the listener direct to the heart of the story. His presentation is polished, crisp and standout.
Newcomer of the Year - Hannah Makepeace - Rock FM
Hannah’s entry showed a skilful reporter committed to telling original stories for radio, with flair and imagination. Even when dealing with difficult experiences such as social media use leading to mental health issues, she brings a lightness of touch with her writing and use of audio.
Hannah’s love for her job and the people she is reporting on shines through and she’s not afraid to get stuck in, using humour to bring stories to life. A bright future awaits.
Student Journalist of the Year - David Applin - Inside the Dark Web - Canterbury Christ Church University
An outstanding piece of journalism that takes the listener on a compelling and sinister journey from the outset. Describing the internet as an iceberg and the dark web as what hides beneath the surface, David’s scripting and delivery hook you in immediately. He cleverly weaves two interviews together – a distorted voice of a dark web user and the mother of a boy who died from drugs purchased online. David also provides context when we hear from the mother of the man who created the Silk Road website – a good get! His use of sound effects and music combined with the storytelling - through some powerful interviews – prove David is a worthy winner of Student Journalist of the Year.