An awards ceremony which recognises and celebrates local journalism and a commitment to serving local communities is returning to Kent.

After reviewing all 118 entries, the judges for the Kent Press & Broadcast Awards (KPBA) have decided on the finalists in 16 categories.

The not-for-profit award scheme is organised by Kent PR and marketing agency Maxim.

It will return to a venue in Canterbury in person on Friday, July 15 and will be presented by award-winning BBC journalist Ben Brown, pictured. 

Maxim Director Rachel Knight, Maxim Director said: “The judges said they were blown away by the standard of entries considering the difficulties of the past 12 months. 

“There were so many entries from journalists passionate about their communities and telling their stories.

“It’s obviously been a really challenging time so we’re very much looking forward to being able to celebrate the achievements of Kent’s media in person again.

“That wouldn’t be possible without the support of the KPBA sponsors so we must say a huge thank you to them.”

The 2022 finalists are listed below.

Kent Broadcast Journalist of the Year

• Colin Campbell, BBC South East Today
• James Dunn, BBC South East Today
• Joe Coshan, ITV News Meridian
• Josie Hannett, BBC South East Today

Kent Columnist of the Year

• Matthew Munson, The Isle of Thanet News
• Melissa Todd, Thanet Extra
• Simon Finlay, Downs Mail
• Susan McGowan, Kent Life 

Kent Design(er) of the Year

• Ashley Austen, KM Media Group / KMTV
• James Black, KM Media Group
• Lizzy Tweedale, Brightside Publishing
• Paul Acres, KM Media Group

Best Use of Digital Media

• Henry Collier, KentLive 
• KentLive
• KentOnline
• Megan Carr, Sheerness Times Guardian & Sittingbourne News  

Kent Feature Journalist of the Year (Broadcast)

• Colin Campbell, BBC South East Today
• Derek Johnson, ITV News Meridian
• Jo Burn, BBC Radio Kent
• Sara Thornton, BBC South East Today

Kent Feature Journalist of the Year (Print & Online)

• Chris Hunter, Medway Messenger & KentOnline
• Jack Dyson, Kentish Gazette Series
• Lydia Chantler-Hicks, Kentish Gazette
• Marijke Hall, Thanet Extra & ‘Cene

Kent Magazine of the Year

• ‘Cene
• insideKENT
• The Margate Mercury
• The Next Step

Kent New Journalist of the Year

• Emily-Jane Heap, KentLive / Kent & Sussex Courier
• Jadzia Samuel, KMTV
• Adam McGroarty, KentLive
• Laoise Gallagher, KentOnline

Kent News Website of the Year

• Downs Mail
• KentOnline
• KentLive
• The Isle of Thanet News

Kent Newspaper of the Year

• Kentish Gazette
• Kent Messenger
• Sheerness Times Guardian
• The Isle of Thanet News

Kent Photographer of the Year

• Andy Jones, freelance
• Frank Leppard, freelance
• Martin Apps, freelance
• Matt Walker, freelance

Kent Print & Online Journalist of the Year

• Joe Wright, Kentish Gazette
• Lydia Chantler-Hicks, Kentish Gazette
• Marijke Hall, Thanet Extra
• Mary Harris, KentLive/Kent & Sussex Courier 

Kent Programme of the Year

• BBC Radio Kent, The Wake Up Call
• BBC South East Today
• Kent Pro Wrestling (KMTV)
• KMTV

Kent Scoop of the Year

• Alex Jee, Kentish Express / Folkestone & Hythe Express / KentOnline
• BBC Radio Kent
• Joe Coshan, ITV News Meridian
• The Isle of Thanet News

The Neil Bell Kent Sports Journalist of the Year

• Ben Watts, BBC Radio Kent
• Jon Phipps & Matt Gerrard, Kent Non-League Podcast
• Juliette Parkin, BBC South East Today
• Tommaso Dimiddio, KMTV

Kent Voices Award

• Joe Coshan, ITV News Meridian
• KentLive
• Laoise Gallagher, KentOnline
• The Isle of Thanet News