MEDIA RELEASE
Top industry awards for UK’s newly qualified journalists
Newly qualified journalists from across the UK have picked up awards from the country’s leading media companies.
The BJTC Journalism Awards highlight the outstanding TV, radio, online, podcast and social media work produced on industry accredited journalism training courses.
ITV Newsreader Nina Hossain hosted the event at the Financial Times HQ in London which saw finalists from 50 BJTC courses competing for the top honours. Thirteen winners were chosen from more than 200 entries at the event on Wednesday night (November 23).
They included graduates from City, University of London, Cardiff University, Goldsmiths, University of London, University of the West of England and University of Northampton
The Steve Harris Award, which recognises the stand-out entry of the competition, was won by Ella Bicknell from Leeds Trinity University for her radio feature on writing a letter to a random stranger during the pandemic lockdown.
“It’s a great story, told clearly and engagingly, well scripted and technically strong. It would sit very comfortably on any talk or news station” said co-chair of Judges Stuart Thomas, Head of the BBC in the Midlands.
Another category was in honour of one of the pioneers of British television journalism. The Derek Dowsett Award recognises great social inclusion stories, in a tight TV package. It comes with a prize of £1000 as well as the offer of a week’s work experience at ITV news. This was won by Olivia Andrews and Hanna Schnitzer from City, University of London. The report was about Rotherhithe residents and their campaign to save a “local hero” from deportation.
Many of the entries reflected the increasing coverage of inclusive journalism stories, including a report on knife crime, disability sports and mental health issues.
“The finalists chose some relevant and import subjects. Many of the stories gave a voice to the voiceless. The future of journalism is in good hands with these new recruits” said co-chair of Judges, BBC Breakfast Editor Richard Frediani.
The BJTC is the UK’s largest industry-backed higher education training body for multiplatform, broadcast and mobile journalism and entries come from among the 3500 students studying on its accredited courses.
Previous winners have gone on to take up positions at leading media companies across the UK and around the world, including the Guardian, Telegraph, Sky News, the BBC, ITV, Global, Bauer, Eurosport, Al Jazeera, Reuters and AP.
November 23rd, 2022
BEST TV NEWS REPORT
Winner
Martha Lamotte & Olivia Lynch-Kelly, City, University of London: Olya & Nadiya’s Story
“A complex story told with compassion and conviction. Case studies and expert contributors used to full effect. An excellent piece of storytelling overall.”
BEST PODCAST
Winner
Hannah Ward-Glenton, Elliot Turnbull, Alex Schellekens, Millie Gibson & Tom Nunan, City, University of London: Mind the Pod
“A clear proposition, you knew what you were going to get, and you got it with excellent audio production and a zippy script.”
BEST TV FEATURE
Winner
Monica Walton, Goldsmiths, University of London: Fighting for Fatherhood
“A brilliant watch from start to finish. Engaging, rich in human interest and an issue not seen much about on TV. Strong production techniques, great use of natural sound and music where appropriate.”
BEST RADIO FEATURE
Winner
Ella Bicknell, Leeds Trinity University: Letters from a Stranger
“It’s a great story, told clearly and engagingly, well scripted and technically strong.”
BEST TV DOCUMENTARY
Winner
Millie Gibson and Bella Neale, City, University of London: Prescribing Cannabis: Children in Crisis
“A strong informative piece with sound production values. Very well delivered, presented and shot.”
BEST RADIO DOCUMENTARY
Winner
Candice Blake, University of Northampton: Mpty Feelings
“Brilliant montage at the beginning which set up the story and what we’re going to hear. She has a personal connection with the story and makes clear what she’s setting-out to find out.”
DEREK DOWSETT AWARD for Social Inclusion TV Package
Winner
Olivia Andrews and Hanna Schnitzer, City, University of London: Rotherhithe Residents March to Save “Local Hero” from Deportation
“This was an engaging story told with energy and compassion. It took a serious political issue and illustrated it through a range of voices in the local community.”
BEST SOCIAL SHORT VIDEO
Winner
Jacob Evans, City, University of London: London Beard Club Monthly Meet Up
“An engaging social piece with some compelling images and characters which would have been very shareable in the social space.”
BEST TV SPORTS JOURNALISM
Winner
Freddy Oliphant, University of Sheffield: Concussion: Tackling Rugby’s Most Prevalent Injury
“A mix of good story telling, excellent contributors, clear explanation on an issue that is increasingly being looked at across all contact sports.”
BEST RADIO NEWS REPORT
Winner
Michael Johnson, University of Sheffield: Football for everyone: Matches for the blind and visually impaired
“It was full of atmos and upsots and took me right into the football stand. He nicely set out what was happening and why it is important that sport is accessible to all”
BEST ONLINE NEWS SITE
Winner
Bournemouth University MA Multimedia Journalism Students: The Breaker
“Looks contemporary, clear and well laid out. There are compelling headlines and the diverse range of contributors students have interviewed for stories is notable.”
BEST RADIO NEWSDAY
Winner
City, University of London
“A well-constructed series of reports, keeping the audience interest throughout. I was taken to the scene of many of the stories which helped me engage.”
BEST TV NEWSDAY
Winner
CJS TEAM 21/22, Cardiff University: CJS NEWS DAY MARCH 8
“Slick studio multi cam presentation. Excellent mix of content from a lead story on refugees, excellent feature on endometriosis and lovely and finally street sign.”
THE STEVE HARRIS AWARD – Best Overall Winner
Ella Bicknell, Leeds Trinity University: Letters from a Stranger
All the awards can be found at BJTC.org.uk/awards
