Dozens of Welsh publications, websites, radio stations and TV channels will be vying for one of the most sought-after awards in UK journalism next month. Over 60 reporters, photographers, camera operators and editors have been shortlisted in 20 categories in the annual Journalists’ Charity Wales Media Awards www.walesmediaawards.co.uk. The prestigious Awards aim to highlight the importance of a free and vibrant press and celebrate the quality of reporting coming out of Wales.
They are organised on behalf of the Journalists’ Charity – which supports working and retired journalists in urgent need with advice, grants and other forms of financial assistance – by Spencer David with the support of headline sponsor Camelot. Other sponsors are Cardiff University, Celf Creative, Cleartech Live, Cowshed, ITV Cymru Wales, Mercure Holland House Hotel, Cardiff Natasha Hirst Photography, National Union of Journalists, NUJ Training Wales, Openreach, S4C, Spencer David and Welsh Government.
Leading businesses and organisations are being invited to support the sector and what it stands for by joining key figures from the industry at a dinner at the Mercure Holland House Hotel, Cardiff, on 25 March hosted by BBC Cymru Wales presenter Lucy Owen and ITV Cymru Wales’ Jonathan Hill, where the winners will be revealed. It will be the first time the event has taken place live in three years because of the pandemic.
Tim Rogers, chair of the Journalists’ Charity in Wales, said almost 200 entries had been received for the competition this year.
He said that even with the pandemic taking its toll on revenues and businesses, the media fought hard to deliver news and information and to maintain the tradition and value of a free press which many other countries around the world could not take for granted.
“The Journalists’ Charity Wales Media Awards are a celebration of the best of Welsh journalism – a showcase for some of the finest work online, in print, on TV and radio during the last 12 months,” he said.
“Even in the best of times journalists play an important role keeping us informed and in touch. Never has that work been more vital than during the last two years of the Covid pandemic.
“For some, these will have been, to borrow a phrase from our founder Charles Dickens, the ‘worst of times’ that have brought personal challenges and the loss of family members or friends. For others there has been uncertainty of employment. For many, the Journalists’ Charity has been ready and willing to help.
“This year’s awards evening will be the first opportunity for the media industry to join in a single live event to applaud its stars and unsung heroes – while marking the passage to what we hope will be better times ahead. We hope businesses and organisations in Wales will support us by joining us for what will be a special occasion.”
Tickets priced at £90 each, with tables for 10 at £875, can be obtained from www.walesmediaawards.co.uk/tickets