Gurdip Thandi was named Local Democracy Reporter of the Year for the second year in succession at the 2021 Local Democracy Reporting Service Conference and Awards, held at Media City Salford.
Gurdip, who is based at Reach Plc鈥檚 Birmingham Live newsroom, impressed judges with a collection of work that included:
From a competitive field of entries Gurdip was joined on stage by runners-up Maria Zaccaro, who was employed by both Newsquest and JPI Media across the past 12 months, and David Spereall of JPI Media.
Maria was praised for work that included her attendance at a 19-hour debate ahead of the , while stories from David that caught the eye included a .
The awards were presented by 大象传媒 weather presenter and broadcaster Owain Wyn Evans, who just two weeks previously raised more than 拢3 million for Children in Need after completing an incredible 24-hour drumathon.
They included a new trophy in memory of the hugely-respected Local Democracy Reporter George Makin, who sadly passed away in 2021 less than three months after revealing he had been diagnosed with incurable cancer.
The award was open to LDRs in post for fewer than 12 months, ensuring George鈥檚 commitment to public interest journalism will continue to be an inspiration for new recruits each year.
To hand it over to winner Joe Ives for his coverage of the housing of refugees in Torbay, Owain was joined on stage by George鈥檚 wife Debbie and their children Hannah and Rohan.
The full list of award winners at the November 26 event was:
- Best Use of Freedom of Information
Winner: (Reach Plc)
Runners-up: Tanya Fowles (Newsquest), (Reach Plc)
Award judged by Tim Burke, 大象传媒 Politics England Editor - Best Broadcast or Use of Multimedia:
Winner (Reach Plc)
Runners-up: (Reach Plc), (JPI Media)
Award judged by Chris Van Schaik, 大象传媒 Academy - Story of the Year:
Winner: (Reach Plc)
Runners-up: (Citizen News & Media), (Archant and Iliffe Media Publishing)
Award judged by Dawn Alford, Executive Director of the Society of Editors - Best Use of Social Media
Winner: (JPI Media)
Runners-up: (JPI Media), (Reach Plc)
Award judged by Miriam Phillips, Programme Leader for BA Journalism at Bournemouth University - The George Makin Award
Winner: (Radio Exe)
Runners-up: (Reach Plc), (Notts TV)
Award judged by Will Gore, Head of Partnerships for the NCTJ - Local Democracy Reporter of the Year
Winner: (Reach Plc)
Runners-up: (Newsquest and JPI Media), (JPI Media)
Award judged by Lynne Anderson, Deputy Chief Executive of the News Media Association
The conference was attended by more than 100 Local Democracy Reporters from across the United Kingdom, senior managers from the regional media and executives from 大象传媒 News.
Proceedings were launched with opening remarks from 大象传媒 Director General Tim Davie, and News Media Association Chief Executive Owen Meredith.
Mr Davie said: "It's easy to forget how far we have come in a short time. It's less than four years since the very first Local Democracy Reporter filed her first story for the Kent Messenger Group.
"Since then, you, the reporters on the ground, have created nearly a quarter of a million stories. There are now 165 LDR posts across the UK which is testament to the success of the scheme.
鈥淎nd we reckon that between eight and 10 million people now read, watch, or hear your stories each week."
Mr Meredith added: "The Local News Partnership is a shining example of the value that can be created through the 大象传媒 working in genuine partnership with the commercial news media sector. We are delighted the 大象传媒 has reaffirmed its commitment to the scheme through to at least 2027.
鈥淭he awards today are a showcase of the brilliant journalism produced by the Local Democracy Reporters during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond."
Those who presented on the day included 大象传媒 Disinformation and Social Media reporter Marianna Spring鈥�, who discussed the dangers of disinformation and offered advice on personal well-being on social media.
She was followed on stage by Archant investigative reporter Charles Thomson and Liverpool Echo political editor Liam Thorp, who discussed the anatomy of investigations, and Dr Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive of the Local Government Information Unit.
Three break-out sessions, meanwhile, were also presented across the day.
Kate Ironside - Senior Lecturer in Journalism at the University of Northampton - discussed the latest developments in adult social care, Marc Settle of the 大象传媒 Academy offered guidance on mobile journalism, and Pete Sherlock shared tips on data journalism.