The Courier, Dundee, has followed its triumph at the recent Newsawards 2016 by scooping the top prize at the Society of Editors’ Regional Press Awards event in London last week.
Last month, the DC Thomson-owned title was named Regional Newspaper of the Year at the Newsawards, formerly the Newspaper Awards, which particularly recognize production excellence. DC Thomson also won the Printed Innovation of the Year and the Newspaper Printer of the Year categories.
But last Friday at the Grosvenor Park Hotel, editor Richard Neville picked up two more accolades, the Newspaper of the Year for dailies selling over 20,000 copies and the Making a Difference award for its Frank’s Law campaign for changes to personal care funding in the name of Dundee United legend Frank Kopel.
Adding to the success was Courier photographer Kris Miller who was named as Daily/Sunday photographer of the year.
The Making a Difference award is decided by public vote, and Mr Neville said: “The Frank’s Law award is an important one to us, as it is a campaign we believe in passionately and this can only serve to reinforce the change in government policy we are striving for. Frank’s widow, Amanda, has been tireless in her battle for a more just system and it has been an honour to fight on her behalf. That it was voted for by the public makes it all the more satisfying.”
On the other awards, Mr Neville added: “We’re absolutely delighted to be recognised. As always with such awards, it is testament to the hard work put in by a team dedicated to bringing the best of local news, sport and features to the people of Tayside and Fife.
“Kris is a worthy recipient of his award. His work is of a consistently high level and we know he can be counted on to produce excellent work in any situation.”
Capping a great day for DC Thomson, the Sunday Post won Supplement of the Year for its Scotland’s 100 Iconic Moments magazine.
Other successes for Scottish Newspaper Society members were in the Weekly Photographer of the Year and business and financial journalist categories, won respectively by Michael Gillen of the Falkirk Herald and Simon Bain of The Herald, Glasgow.
And CN Group won Weekly Newspaper of the year for titles below 20,000 average sale for the Cumberland News.
Speaking at the awards event, News Media Association chairman and Johnston Pres chief executive Ashley Highfield said: “Local newspapers are continuing to produce the top class journalism which our readers expect. We are delivering highly trusted local news and opinion to more people than ever before – 40 million each week – across print and digital platforms.
“Local journalism is not a passive activity. Through campaigning, local papers can shape the communities they serve and change them for the better. We are unique in this regard. No other media is able to listen to the concerns of their readers, pinpoint the issues that matter to them, and galvanise support for a particular cause in the way that we do.”
For video and more information, visit www.theregionalpressawards.org.uk.