The first stage of the Regional Press Awards judging process has been competed and the shortlist is now available.
The independent judging panels – chaired by director of Press Association Training Peter Sands and made up of 40 senior journalists – are due to meet for the second stage of the judging process which includes a round table debate followed by a secret ballot vote.
Candidates shortlisted in the visual categories are to be announced on 7 June.
Sands said: “We changed the categories a little this year to reflect the growth in digital journalism in the regional press and also to reflect the excellent grassroots work carried out by weekly newspaper. After the first round of judging, we can honestly say the standard in most categories was once again exceptional.
“The voting was very tight, and where judges could not separate the nominees, we have extended the shortlist from six to seven or even eight. That should certainly lead to an interesting second stage in the voting process.”
All winners will be announced at a lunchtime celebration, hosted by BBC news presenter Bill Turnbull, at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Friday 29 June.
Booking forms are available from www.regionalpressawards.co.uk. For further information, contact events director Fran Barlow on 020 7549 8719 or email franb@pressgazette.co.uk.
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