Adam Postans and Kirsty Paterson were jointly named Local Democracy Reporter of the Year at the 2023 Local Democracy Reporting Service and Awards, held at Media City Salford.
Category judge Rozina Breen, Editor-in-Chief and CEO of The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, said it was impossible to split the work of “two compelling, tenacious” reporters from what she added was a “wholly impressive” range of entries.
Kirsty, who is based at Falkirk Live, was recognised for a range of work which included:
Adam, of Bristol Live, submitted the following entries:
Ms Breen said Kirsty’s entries “were all very strongly in the public interest and deeply local - holding to account with a clear focus on ensuring greater transparency for the community she represents”.
She added that Adam’s portfolio was “persistent, and demonstrated accountability and determination to stay with the story”.
Ms Breen said she was 鈥渟eriously impressed鈥� with Ethan鈥檚 work, adding: 鈥淗is stories shine through with their meaning. He journalism has certainly led to changes in Manchester through his journalism on important topics such as tram fines, homelessness and rehousing.鈥�
The Local Democracy Reporting Service is now approaching its sixth anniversary following its launch in January 2018.
The scheme funds 165 reporter posts across the UK that supply commercial publishers with stories focused on the work of local authorities.
It has published in the region of 60,000 public interest news stories in 2023 for use by in excess of more than 1,100 different news titles.
Mr Stayt said: 鈥淚t was a pleasure to present well-deserved awards to a cohort of journalists that continue to make a difference, holding local authorities to account across the United Kingdom.
鈥淢y congratulations go to the winners and highly-commended across all six categories, but in particular to Adam Postans and Kirsty Paterson for scooping the 2023 Local Democracy Reporter of the Year title.鈥�
The Local Democracy Reporting Service is now approaching its seventh anniversary following its launch in January 2018.
The 大象传媒 funded scheme supports 165 reporter posts across the UK that supply stories focused on the work of local authorities.
It has published more than 60,000 public interest news stories in 2024 for use by in excess of more than 1,100 different news titles.
Highly-commended in the LDR of the Year category was Ethan鈥檚 colleague at the Manchester Evening News, George Lythgoe, along with Ruby Gregory from MyLondon and Kerry Ashdown from the Sentinel in Stoke-on-Trent.
The full list of winners at the event was:
- Best Use of Freedom of Information:
Winner: Owen Sennitt (Eastern Daily Press)
Runners-up: James Robinson (The Chronicle, Newcastle) and Eddie Bisknell (Derby Telegraph)
Award judged by Tim Burke, 大象传媒 Politics England Editor - Best Use of Social Media:
Winner: Sarah Booker-Lewis (Brighton & Hove News)
Runners-up: Ed Barnes (Liverpool Echo) and Ethan Davies (Manchester Evening News)
Award judged by Lisa Bradley, University of Sheffield School of Journalism - The George Makin Award 鈥� presented in memory of former LDR George Makin:
Winner: Declan Carey (Manchester Evening News)
Runners-up: Eleanor Storey (Eastern Daily Press) and Daniel Hunt (The Mail in South Cumbria)
Award judged by Will Gore, Head of Partnerships for the NCTJ - Local Democracy Story of the Year:
Winner: Joe Locker (Notts TV)
Runners-up: Ethan Davies (Manchester Evening News) and Nick Clarke (Slough Observer)
Award judged by Miriam Phillips, journalism lecturer and editor - Local Democracy Reporter of the Year:
Winner: Ethan Davies (Manchester Evening News)
Runners-up: George Lythgoe (Manchester Evening News), Ruby Gregory (MyLondon) and Kerry Ashdown (The Sentinel, Stoke-on-Trent).
Award judged by Rozina Breen, Editor-in-Chief and CEO of The Bureau of Investigative Journalism