The shortlists for the prestigious Highlands and Islands Media Awards have been revealed and finalists now face a tantalising wait to find out who has scooped the coveted trophies.
Judges had the onerous task of assessing a record 116 entries in 12 categories covering newspaper, online and broadcast news stories and features, as well as the year’s top photographs.
The winners will be announced at the Highlands and Islands Press Ball and Media Awards, to be held on Friday, 7 February 2020 at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness, and organised by Quatro PR.
Gordon Fyfe, chairman of the Highlands and Islands Media Awards judging panel, said: “The media awards recognise and reward the best in journalism across our dispersed area which stretches from Shetland to Argyll and from Moray to the Outer Hebrides.
“Once again, we were delighted with the number and high standard of entries and choosing a shortlist has been an extremely difficult task.
“Thanks to everyone for taking the time to enter and congratulations to our finalists. We look forward to revealing the winners in February.”
Diageo is once again principal sponsor of the Highlands and Islands Press Ball and Media Awards and the coveted Journalist of the Year trophy.
A new sponsor this year is Statkraft, while support is also comes from Quatro PR, the National Union of Journalists, Chivas Brothers, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Hub North Scotland.
Inverness Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a new award – Top Business Story of the Year – and Bòrd na Gàidhlig is again sponsoring the Best Use of Gaelic category.
THE SHORTLISTS ARE –
TOP BUSINESS STORY OF THE YEAR (sponsored by Inverness Chamber of Commerce)
Stan Arnaud, Press and Journal Sarah Sutherland, Orcadian Craig Taylor, Orcadian
BEST USE OF GAELIC (sponsored by Bòrd na Gàidhlig)
Shona Macmillan, Fios Roddy Munro, BBC Dòmhnall Pollock, BBC
BEST USE OF DIGITAL MEDIA
Stuart Findlay, Press and Journal Dave Flanagan, freelance, Orkney
Intermedia Services (Stornoway)
YOUNG JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR - ALEX MAIN TROPHY
Jonathan Clark, Highland News and Media Ltd Chris MacLennan, Press and Journal Ryan Nicolson, Shetland Times
SPORTS REPORTER OF THE YEAR
Mark Harcus, Orcadian Andrew Henderson, Highland News and Media Ltd Andy Skinner, Press and Journal
PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Paul Campbell, freelance, Inverness Callum Mackay, Highland News and Media Ltd Malcolm Younger, Shetland
TOP SHOT OF THE YEAR
Eric Cormack, Highland News and Media Ltd Trevor Martin, Freelance, Inverness Willie Urquhart, West Highland Free Press
REPORTER OF THE YEAR - JIM LOVE MEMORIAL AWARD
Louise Glen, Highland News and Media Ltd Iain MacInnes, BBC Keith Mackenzie, West Highland Free Press
TOP STORY OF THE YEAR
Louise Glen, Highland News and Media Ltd David Mackay, Press and Journal Chris MacLennan, Press and Journal
FEATURE WRITER OF THE YEAR
Daniel Bennett, BBC Radio Shetland Chris Cope, Shetland News Val Sweeney, Highland News and Media Ltd
COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR
Am Pàipear, Uists Fios, North Lewis, Rudhach, Point, Lewis
NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR
Orcadian Shetland Times West Highland Free Press
DIAGEO JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
To be announced at the HIPBMA on Friday 7 February, 2020
For further information about the Highlands and Islands Media Awards contact
Gordon Fyfe on 07880 783 707 or fyfegordon@yahoo.com
For all enquiries about the Highlands and Islands Press Ball contact
John Ross Quatro PR 01463 714403: 07730 099617