A high level of consistency, strong general presentation and a good balance between news content and advertising were among the qualities judges cited in naming Grocott’s Mail best small independent commercial newspaper at the 2014/5 MDDA-Sanlam Local Media Awards last weekend.
A high level of consistency, strong general presentation and a good balance between news content and advertising were among the qualities judges cited in naming Grocott’s Mail best small independent commercial newspaper at the 2014/5 MDDA-Sanlam Local Media Awards last weekend.
This is the third consecutive time Grocott’s Mail has won this category.
The record number of 800 entries was received for this round of these annual broadcasting and print awards for community media.
Print categories incorporated individual writing awards, and Grocott’s Mail’s Malibongwe Dayimani was a finalist in the personal finance category.
Grocott’s Mail sports editor Stephen Penney was one of three finalists for sport photographer of the year.
The awards ceremony was a vibrant event held in the Emperor’s Palace complex in Johannesburg on Friday 22 May.
In the small independent commercial category for established titles, Grocott’s Mail’s co-finalists were Muslim Views, and the Zoutpansberger.
Of the top three entrants, the judges said, “Those contesting for the winning position demonstrated a high level of professionalism and presented solid products that drew readers to their publications.”
In their citation for Grocott’s Mail the judges wrote, “The winning publication is particularly strong in general presentation, layout, news presentation and content covered. It consists of a good balance between news content and advertising and has good visual presentation, with good input of pictures.
"In addition, the winner shows a high level of consistency in all the editions submitted."
Minister of Communications Faith Muthambi gave the keynote address. Pledging her department’s continued support for the sector, Muthambi said community media were a crucial source of local information.
She said helping media organisations develop from within fed into the broader goals of economic and social development.
“We want to take you along as equal partners,” Muthambi said. “We are of the view that an informed nation is an empowered nation; one that is able to make sense of conditions and the world around us and is able to be part of the solutions to the many challenges facing our country as well as our continent.”
Editor Sue Maclennan said the award was a strong affirmation of the teamwork core to the media organisation’s operations.
“While there were plenty of individual stars among our competitors, it was Grocott’s Mail’s coherence across editorial, production, advertising, administration and support staff, as well as our partners in the Rhodes School of Journalism and Media Studies that produced this result.
“We also enjoy the support of an active managing Board.
“It’s significant that the judges appreciated not only the content our journalists produce, but also the way our production staff presented it.
“Strengthening a co-operative ethos here is a good basis for growing our partnerships with the communities we serve as a local information source for this area.”
Grocott's Mail has received this award in the past including in 2008 under Jonhathan Ancer's editorship. It won again for 2012 and 2013 with Stephen Lang and once again for last year under editor, Sue Maclennan.
Advertising manager Ronel Bowles said, “I’m so proud to be part of this team.
“I would like to thank our readers and advertisers for their support: without them Grocott’s Mail wouldn’t even be on the streets, let alone winning awards.” – Additional reporting by SAnews.gov.za
