GMG Radio news teams and reporters have received 8 nominations for this year’s commercial radio news awards.
It comes just a fortnight after the group announced plans to scale back its news operation with redundancies likely across their regional stations.
Bauer Radio’s stations are shortlisted five times, while Global Radio picks up two nominations as does Orion Media, Manx Radio and 106 Jack FM in Oxfordshire.
Two of last year’s winners are nominated again this year – Katie Collins from GMG Radio North West for Reporter of the Year and Key 103’s Paul Lockitt in the Newsreader of the Year category.
GMG Radio is represented in all of the categories that its stations are eligible for – with two nominations in the Reporter of the Year category. It’s Real Radio Scotland news team has three nominations, Yorkshire and the North West two each and Wales one. The group is currently consulting with staff over proposals to reduce the size of its news teams.
At Bauer, Radio Aire and Key 103 are nominated in the Newsteam/Newsroom of the Year categories (which are split into two awards this year based on TSA size). Key’s Paul Lockitt is nominated for Newsreader of the Year, while Metro Radio is shortlisted in the new ‘And Finally’ category.
Global’s nominations are for LBC reporter Daniel Freedman and Classic FM newsreader Lucy Coward, while Orion are shortlisted for a Gem 106 news special on domestic violence and BRMB’s sports coverage of the Carling Cup final.
IRN Managing Director Tim Molloy said: “These nominations prove that commercial radio news is full of bright, talented and enthusiastic people who can match the BBC for quality, whilst proving themselves to be extremely resourceful at the same time. I have enjoyed listening to the entries including some very funny and creative entries in the ‘and finally’ award.”
Louise Hastings, Chairman of the Judges, said: “The panel has been truly impressed by the high standards of writing, reporting and news reading, and these nominations prove that quality journalism is alive and thriving in commercial radio.”
As well as the 8 awards for which nominations are shown below, judges will present an IRN Gold Award to an individual, news team, station or group judged to be worthy of recognition for an outstanding contribution to news and/or sport in UK commercial radio. The award winners will be announced in London on Tuesday 27th March.
2012 IRN Award nominations
Newcomer of the Year
Jennie Clark, Real Radio Wales
Jessica Parker, 106 JACKfm Oxfordshire
Alex Wotton, Manx Radio
Best Original News Story
Domestic Violence Specials – Gem 106
Incinerator – 106 JACKfm Hertfordshire
Selby Rail Crash – Real Radio Yorkshire
Reporter of the Year
Daniel Freedman – LBC
Katie Collins – GMG Radio North West
Grace Melody-Gardner – Real Radio Yorkshire
Newsreader of the Year
Lucy Coward – Classic FM
Paul Lockitt – Key 103
Corrie Martin – Real Radio Scotland
Best Newsteam/ Newsroom <750,000
Isle of Wight Radio
106 JACKfm Oxfordshire
Radio Aire
Best Newsteam/ Newsroom >750,000
Touch Radio (Quidem Midlands News team)
Key 103
GMG Radio North West News Team
Best Sports Story
Neil Lennon Terror Target – Real Radio Scotland
Isle of Man TT Races – Manx Radio
Carling Cup Final – BRMB
‘And Finally’
Ghost Story – 104.7 Minster FM News
The Princess and the Pea…..Fritter – Metro Radio
Pandawatch – Real Radio Scotland
Posted on Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 at 10:20 am by RadioToday UK