The other awards – best journalists and worst bosses
The NUJ has launched an alternative award scheme for regional media in Britain and Ireland.
It will expose the hypocrisy of companies that claim to support their areas while slashing jobs and closing offices. The awards will also recognise the dedication of journalists still doing top-class work and the excellence of those who have been made redundant.
Potential categories include:
Hypocritical local media campaign of the year award — for papers that urge readers to save the local economy while sacking their own staff.
The community served by the most remote news hub — separate sections for newspapers and radio.
Best story or picture by a journalist since made redundant.
Smallest staff producing a weekly paper of 80 pages or more.
General Secretary Jeremy Dear said: “Companies are promoting themselves with local slogans while producing their products miles away. Highly skilled journalists are being made redundant and those who are left are undertaking enormous workloads.
“Meanwhile the owners are carrying on with their swanky awards ceremonies and shareholders’ meetings as if nothing is happening.”
Any member can nominate any company at any time. Email suggestions to campaigns@nuj.org.uk.