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New award honours former assistant editor facing terminal cancer

pdurrantA former regional journalist and trainer who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer is to be honoured with a new award named after him.

Paul Durrant, pictured left, former assistant editor of the Eastern Daily Press, will give his name to the award, which will be presented annually to the candidate from the East of England who gives the best performance in the National Qualification in Journalism (NQJ).

Paul, 63, who also worked with the NCTJ over many years, has terminal cancer of the oesophagus.

The winner of the award, sponsored by EDP publisher Archant, will receive £250 and a certificate of achievement.

Paul told the EDP: “It’s truly humbling to discover that my industry wants to mark my death in this way. The only condition is that it’s dropped once the next generation starts asking, ‘Paul Who?’

“I have passionately believed that proper training is the bedrock to good journalism, and that trying to uphold our values and standards – objectively, legally and ethically – is what separates the real pros from the rest.

“Whatever the platform, we need to champion our communities and challenge authority.

“Training and gold-standard industry qualifications give us all the confidence to do that, and hopefully go some way to restoring the public’s faith and trust in believing that real journalism matters.”

Paul has been a journalist for more than 40 years working in the regional press in East Anglia, as news editor at the Ipswich-based East Anglian Daily Times and at the Evening Star and since the mid-80s in various newsdesk roles for the Norwich Eastern Daily Press and Evening News.

He has been closely involved with the NCTJ as a member of its Journalism Examinations Board, as a marker for NQJ senior exams and running NQJ refresher courses for candidates throughout the country.

Paul left Archant, where he also served as senior content editor, in 2009 as part of an editorial restructure.

He is married to Christine, and has three children and two grandchildren.

EDP editor-in-chief Nigel Pickover said: “Paul has been the foundation stone of many great careers in journalism, and this accolade by the NCTJ, sponsored by the EDP, is wholly deserved and a joy to be part of.

“Paul’s wisdom and knowledge have helped shape careers in both his newsdesk roles and, later, as an accomplished trainer. On top of that, he is one of life’s good guys and I’m so thrilled to help found this honour in my tenure as editor.”

In 2014 Paul received the NCTJ chairman’s award for his outstanding contribution to journalism training.

NCTJ chief executive Joanne Butcher said: “The NCTJ is delighted Archant is to sponsor a new award in Paul Durrant’s honour.

“As Paul is so closely involved in the NQJ and his heartland is the East of England, this the perfect award to be established in his name.

“Paul’s news judgement, legal and ethical knowledge and all-round journalistic ability have made him a first-class trainer and examiner and someone who has inspired so many young journalists to achieve their very best.”

  • In his own words:  Paul Durrant explains why journalism training still matters in this week’s Training Matters blog.

5 comments

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  • September 29, 2015 at 12:20 pm
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    Nigel Pickover is right: Paul is one of the good guys, Many journalists who he has helped to develop their careers over the years will also agree. That’s why this honour is so fitting.

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  • September 29, 2015 at 1:08 pm
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    It would be hard to think of anybody more deserving. Duzza is a great journalist and a great person to work with. Many of us have him to thank for instilling a love of doing journalism the right way.

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  • September 29, 2015 at 5:18 pm
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    The best Editor the EDP never had. Paul is one of the best journalists in the UK, and one of the funniest and nicest.

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  • September 29, 2015 at 5:36 pm
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    So sorry to hear news of the diagnosis, Paul, but what a fitting tribute to your tremendous work over many years. Good to see such people being recognised by the industry in this way.

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  • October 5, 2015 at 3:29 pm
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    A great tribute to a very talented journalist. I enjoyed the time when I worked with him.

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