Regional Press Awards shortlist announced

The full list of brands, individuals, teams and great ideas up for accolades in the annual awards is now live

Shortlists have been announced for the Regional Press Awards for 2020, which recognise the valiant work undertaken by the local and regional press during the coronavirus crisis.

The industry’s awards will give particular recognition to newsrooms for keeping their readers informed with a new Special Award, alongside prizes celebrating outstanding reporting and innovation in print and online.

Those judging the awards gave plaudits to the efforts of talented journalists and editors working remotely — and often under deeply challenging conditions — to continue to hold those in power to account and serve their communities.

Dawn Alford, Executive Director of the Society of Editors which organises the awards, said:

“Congratulations to those who made the shortlist amongst an incredible standard of entries, and in a year where demand for trusted news has never been higher.

“We are hugely grateful to judges from across the industry whose time and dedication has enabled the remarkable and varied achievements of those journalists to be recognised.

“The coronavirus crisis has shown more than ever the vital importance of the regional press as the beating heart of communities across the UK. It is clear from these shortlists that the local and regional media has risen to the challenge.”

The winners will be revealed in a virtual announcement on 16 September.

The awards will once again include the Cathryn Nicoll Award run in association with the News Media Association (NMA) which rewards a £500 cash prize to a young feature writer.

The Regional Press Awards are made possible due the support of headline sponsor Facebook Journalism Project; Camelot, a supporter since 2001; Google News Initiative; Amazon; HoldTheFrontPage; the News Media Association and the Journalists’ Charity.

The shortlist appears here.