THE Jersey Evening Post has been shortlisted in the Regional News Media Organisation of the Year category of the prestigious Society of Editors’ Media Freedom Awards 2023.
In 2021, the JEP was crowned Regional Newspaper of the Year in the previous incarnation of awards, which are seen as the Oscars of the newspaper and media industry. It is the fourth time in six years that the newspaper has reached the finals.
This year, the JEP is up against five other titles from across Britain – the Belfast Telegraph, Liverpool Echo, Sunday Life, The Detail and WalesOnline.
When the Island newspaper won the coveted title in 2021, it was a part of the Society of Editors’ Regional Media Awards. Last year, the society relaunched the competition as the Media Freedom Awards, with a focus on ‘public interest journalism and shining a light on the crucial role that the news media industry plays in promoting media freedom, championing the public’s right to know and holding power to account’. The new awards bring together the national and regional press, with journalists and news organisations vying for honours in 23 categories, including campaigning and investigative journalism.
The winners will be announced at a high-profile reception, dinner and ceremony at the Banking Hall in London on the evening of Wednesday 8 November 2023.
Announcing the shortlist, Dawn Alford, executive director of the Society of Editors and co-chair of the judges, said: ‘Once again, the judges have been amazed by the exceptional standard of journalism that has been put forward for consideration for this year’s awards. With more than 450 entries, all are a testament to the outstanding calibre of public-interest journalism that continues to be published and broadcast in the UK and beyond.’
JEP editor Andy Sibcy said: ‘Few news organisations remain as relevant and connected to their communities as the Jersey Evening Post. We are at the heart of Island life, the glue connecting people every day.
‘Fair, accurate journalism is the cornerstone of the trusted relationship we’ve cemented with readers for 133 years. But as Jersey’s ‘national’ paper, we offer far more – a marketplace for the free exchange of ideas, a reassuring keel at times of tragedy and somewhere to celebrate and share success. Our letters pages are an institution, and we’ve one of the most diverse opinion sections around, with over 40 regular contributors of all hues helping make sense of the world.’
He added: ‘Being recognised in this way is a superb achievement, not least because we were up against many much larger news organisations. Over the past year, we have focused on holding government to account, fighting for open justice, delivering more investigative journalism and ensuring all Islanders’ voices are heard.
‘This is also an opportunity to thank every member of the All Island Media team for the hard work they have put into delivering a superb service for the Island community since the merger between the JEP and Bailiwick Express.’
