The Society of Editors is to launch a new set of awards focusing on press freedom and campaigning journalism, after its 10-year stewardship of the Regional Press Awards drew to a close.

The inaugural Media Freedom Awards will culminate in a ceremony on Wednesday 9 November 2022 at The Underglobe in London and will cover both regional and national journalism.

The awards aim to recognise individuals and organisations who have gone above and beyond to promote freedom of expression and media freedom with full details of the categories and entry process to be announced.

The decision to launch a new set of awards comes after the expiry of the ten-year agreement under which the SoE organised the national and regional Press Awards on behalf of the News Media Association.

Announcing the awards, SOE executive director Dawn Alford said: “The Society’s inaugural Media Freedom Awards will recognise the individuals and organisations that are championing media freedom at a time when accurate, timely and verifiable news and information has never been more vital.

“The public must only look to the coverage of the crisis in Ukraine to see the necessity of an open, free, and independent media that is able to hold power to account without fear or favour.

“Full details of the awards – which will be free to enter – will be published, alongside a list of categories, in the coming weeks.”

Asked by HTFP for clarification on their future plans for the Regional Press Awards, a News Media Association spokesman said this would be announced “in due course.”

Today’s move comes after the announcement earlier this month of the return of the Society’s annual conference, which will take place in person for the first time in three years on 11 May in London.

The conference will feature in-person discussions planned on technological trends and innovation and avenues for engaging audiences and making content pay.

Booking is now open for the conference with a preferential members rate of £120+VAT if booked before 31st March 2022. Attendance for non-members is priced at an early-bird rate of £130+VAT.

Contact [email protected] to book.