Caerphilly Observer has been shortlisted for Community Outlet of the Year in the upcoming Wales Media Awards.
Our reporter Gareth Hill is in the running for Young Journalist of the Year and we have also been shortlisted for Scoop of the Year, after we revealed that ambulance crews would be taking part in a controversial medical trial.
The Wales Media Awards has been relaunched, after a break of several years, by the Journalists’ Charity, with winners being announced on March 19 at a black-tie event in Cardiff hosted by the BBC’s Huw Edwards.
Richard Gurner, editor and publisher of Caerphilly Observer, said: “A lot of hard work has gone into making Caerphilly Observer a credible source of local news for residents in Caerphilly County Borough. We are humbled to make the shortlist.
“Our reporter Gareth Hill has made a significant contribution to our success and he is definitely a rising star of the future.
“In the Community Outlet of the Year category, we find ourselves with RoathCardiff.net and the Port Talbot Magnet. Both do an amazing job at keeping their communities informed and we are just grateful to be nominated.”
Jonathan Grun, editor-in-chief of The Press Association and chair of the judges, said: “The revival of the Wales Media Awards has shown the strength of Welsh journalism and the vital role it plays in the life of Wales. Choosing the shortlists has been a tremendously difficult job.
“Young journalists are clearly learning their craft in a news rich environment in Wales and we were impressed by the quality and enthusiasm of the entrants for that award.
“Sports reporting has always been a great strength in Wales and the judges have had a particularly difficult task in selecting this shortlist.
“Now that we have shortlists for the awards, we will start the job of choosing winners. Having seen the quality of entries already, this will be great fun – and very difficult. I look forward to celebrating the best in Welsh journalism.”
A full list of the nominees can be found at www.walesmediaawards.co.uk.