Young Journalists Shortlisted For Cathryn Nicoll Award
Young journalists from the local media sector have been shortlisted for the News Media Association’s Cathryn Nicoll Award which rewards brilliant interviewing and feature writing by young journalists.
Andra Maciuca, Saffron Walden Reporter; Joseph Locker, The Nottingham Post & Nottinghamshire Live; and Mark Donnelly, Sunderland Echo, have made the shortlist for the award which runs for the second time this year as part of the Regional Press Awards,
I am delighted and thankful to have been shortlisted by @EditorsUK @RegPressAwards with two other journalists from big regional newspapers for the Interviewer of the Year award in the memory of Cathryn Nicoll. Thank you @Archant for supporting me and congrats to those nominated! https://t.co/5TQeVIg0xM
— Andra Maria Măciucă (@andrammaciuca) June 5, 2020
Organised on behalf of the industry by the Society of Editors, the Regional Press Awards showcases brilliant journalism and innovation from across the local media sector.
Last year, Molly Williams Local Democracy Reporter for the Sheffield Star, became the inaugural winner of the Cathryn Nicoll Award for her revealing interview with the leader of Sheffield City Council.
The winner will receive a cash prize of £500.
Well, this is a lovely surprise on a Friday afternoon!
Delighted to be nominated for the #RegionalPressAwards. https://t.co/iDCj6wNnh1
— Mark Donnelly (@markdonnelly_) June 5, 2020
Joseph was shortlisted for his interview with Ken Clarke in which the former Conservative MP spoke about his exit from the party at the height of the Brexit debate. Andra made the shortlist for her interview with campaigner and poet Benjamin Zephaniah while Mark was shortlisted for his thoughtful interview with Sunderland FC loan manager.
Incredibly honoured to have been shortlisted for the Cathryn Nicoll award for my interview with Ken Clarke!
Good luck to all of the other nominees! #RegionalPressAwards https://t.co/AqlznF1pyy
— Joe Locker (@JoeLocker96) June 5, 2020
The award pays tribute to journalist, Cathryn Nicoll who held the position of news editor at the Croydon Advertiser where she was in charge of 21 reporters.
Her colleagues have said that she was a good and fair interviewer who believed passionately in journalistic standards and training and would devote her time to young journalists in the newsroom who showed promise.
Cathryn, who was married to former Bletchley Park codebreaker and GCHQ deputy director Douglas Nicoll, died in 2016 and made provision in her will for an annual award for young journalists to be set up by the NMA.