View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
October 16, 2003updated 17 May 2007 11:30am

Sun and NoW end British Press Awards boycott

By Press Gazette

The Sun and the News of the World, the country’s top-selling daily and Sunday newspapers, will re-enter the fray at next year’s British Press Awards, ending a one-year boycott.

New judging safeguards introduced by the chairman of the judges, Donald Trelford, have persuaded editors Rebekah Wade and Andy Coulson to give their support to the 2004 event, which will open for entries at the start of November.

After making significant changes to the final judging process last year, Trelford has made further amendments to the shortlisting process.

“Some editors from the tabloids felt there was an in-built disadvantage for their entries,” he said. He has rectified that by increasing the number of shortlist judges from two to three for each category, and by appointing two “assessors” – one from a broadsheet background, one from a tabloid background – who will give guidance to Trelford and the judges at every stage.

The assessors will be announced shortly. The Newspaper of the Year category, as last year, will be judged by a completely independent panel of eight non-partisan, highly regarded journalists.

“I’m absolutely delighted to welcome back the two most popular newspapers in the country to the awards,” Trelford said. “They can only add to the credibility of this hugely important event in the national journalism calendar.”

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Sun editor Wade, who was NoW editor when it pulled out of last year’s event, said: “It’s important that all the entries to such important awards are judged fairly and I’m glad to see new safeguards in place that should make sure that happens.”

Quantum Business Media’s head of media events, Diana Heald, said: “We are delighted that Donald has agreed to become more actively involved to ensure that the shortlisting for the awards – the ‘Oscars’ of British journalism – is more rigorous and transparent than ever before.”

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network