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Wales Media Awards for 2017 open for entries

journalists-charity-2017The annual Wales Media Awards are open for entries from today, with the prizes to be handed out by Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan at a ceremony in March.

The free to enter awards aim to celebrate and promote great journalism in Wales and are open to print, broadcast and online journalists, photographers and camera operators across the country.

There are 19 categories in all with the deadline for entries 5pm on Monday 7 November 2016.

The Awards are organised on behalf of the Journalists’ Charity in Wales. More details can be found at www.walesmediaawards.co.uk.

Last year’s competition attracted almost 240 entries in 19 categories from individual print, online, radio and television journalists and from newspapers, web outlets and broadcasters.

Chair of judges Jonathan Grun, emeritus editor at the Press Association, said Welsh journalism had never played a more important part in the life of the nation.

He said:  “Wales can be proud of its brilliant journalists and robust, ethical journalism is a force for good.

“Every day journalists in Wales represent the interests of citizens and reveal stories that are in the public interest. These awards give us an opportunity to celebrate the work of stars and unsung heroes.”

Dermot takes over the hosting role from BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards, and will present the Awards a ceremony on 31 March 2017 at the Mercure Holland House Hotel, Cardiff.

He said: “I am looking forward to presenting this celebration of Welsh journalism which is an important recognition of the work being done across print, broadcast and on-line media.

“It is so important that we seek the highest possible standards in journalism and these awards help to do that, while also supporting the Journalists’ Charity and all it stands for. So I would urge journalists across Wales to enter the 2017 Awards and help showcase the very best of Welsh talent.

The full list of categories is as follows:

Business Journalist of the Year
Newspaper of the Year (Daily/Sunday)
Camera Operator of the Year
Newspaper of the Year (Weekly)
Independent Community News Service of the Year
Political Journalist of the Year
Feature Writer of the Year
Radio News & Current Affairs Programme of the Year
News Photographer of the Year
Scoop of the Year
News Reporter of the Year (Online)
Sports Journalist of the Year
News Reporter of the Year (Print)
Student Journalist of the Year
News Reporter of the Year (Radio)
TV News & Current Affairs Programme of the Year
News Reporter of the Year (TV)
Young Journalist of the Year
News Website of the Year

Judges’ awards will also be made by the judges for Journalist of the Year and for Outstanding Contribution to Journalism.