Reporter who drunkenly resigned from Birmingham Mail on Youtube wins weekly reporter of the year prize

A Birmingham reporter whose drunken resignation became a Youtube sensation was the toast of the Midlands media last night after scooping a top award.

Adam Smith, aka Steve Zacharanda, was named Weekly Journalist of the Year at the Midlands Media Awards.

The accolade marks a turnaround for Smith who lost his job at the Birmingham Mail after drunkenly announcing his resignation whilst covering the 2008 US presidential election during a now infamous video interview with a Dutch journalist.

The Youtube clip made headlines around the world but saw Smith, 38, lose his journalism job and sell electricity door-to-door.

Seven years later he has been recognised for his work on the Halesowen News.

Held at Villa Park, the Birmingham Press Club event was attended by print, broadcast and online journalists from across the region.

Smith won for his investigation into the English Defence League and for uncovering a school’s 'ban' on the Black Country accent.

Smith said: "This is the first time I've entered the MMA for nearly ten years as I figured I'd offended so many people in my 14 years as a journalist. But I had some cracking stories last year and I am delighted I entered. Just being around so many talented journalists is great.

“After my Obama episode I was selling commission-only insurance but I got two day’s freelancing at the Halesowen News five years ago and have loved every minute. I work with great people in a great patch."

“Hopefully this award shows there is still a place for the old-school hack in this ever-changing world of journalism.”

Members of the MMA judging panel said: “Adam is clearly a journalist immersed in his local community, who delivers high quality and topical stories featuring a range of subjects often then picked up nationally."

Documentary maker Lee Kenny followed Smith for three months for his film Obama & Me: The Incredible True Story of a YouTube Sensation – which will get its London premiere in September.