JEP shortlisted for Newspaper of the Year for the second year in a row

JEP shortlisted for Newspaper of the Year for the second year in a row

Last year, the newspaper, which celebrates it 130th anniversary at the heart of Island life later this month, finished in the top three of the same category as a highly commended finalist.

The shortlist for this year’s award sees the JEP in the final alongside the Birmingham Mail, the Evening Telegraph, South Wales Evening Post, Basildon Echo, the Western Mail, the Yorkshire Evening Post and The Mail, Barrow. The award recognises the work of regional titles in 2019.

JEP deputy editor Richard Heath has also been shortlisted in the feature writer/long-form journalist of the year category. Richard submitted three pieces: interviews with paedophile-hunter Cheyenne O’Connor, Jersey Lifeboat Association coxswain Andy Hibbs and Islander Alison Barrington, who told the extraordinary story of how she survived after being swept around the Island following a yacht tragedy which claimed the lives of four friends 55 years ago.

The winners would normally be announced at a gala ceremony in London, but this year will be revealed online in a fortnight’s time because of coronavirus restrictions.

JEP editor Andy Sibcy said: ‘It is hugely gratifying to know that the work that goes into producing Jersey’s newspaper every day, and the dedication and skill of the whole JEP team, has once again been recognised by leading industry experts, and that the newspaper ranks among the very best in the British Isles.

‘To have reached the final two years in a row is a fantastic achievement and a reflection also of both the amazing Island we are lucky enough to cover and the way in which so many members of our community contribute to the ongoing success of the JEP.’

The Society of Editors executive director, Ian Murray, said: ‘The annual Regional Press Awards is the occasion in the calendar when the regional and local press can shout about the excellence that runs through the industry. It is a great pity that the awards gala lunch had to be cancelled, but we were determined the hard work by so many talented journalists in the regional press should not go unrecognised.’

He added: ‘Today’s shortlists reveal a huge wealth of talent in the regional press.’

– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –