It is with great pride that the Caxton Greater Joburg Metro group boasts several finalists in the AVBOB Forum of Community Journalists (FCJ) Excellence Awards 2023.
The group has no less than three out of nine finalist spots in the Free Newspaper of the Year category which boasted a total of 55 entries.
After almost six weeks of hard work, and working through 531 entries, the panel of 24 judges, led by convenor André Gouws, selected the finalists in each category.
“While there were slightly fewer entries this year than last year, judges were impressed with the quality of work entered, and the deep dedication shown by community journalists across the country.”
Caxton Greater Joburg Metro’s Editor-in-Chief Marietta Lombard added that the field of journalists and editors in which community newspaper editors and journalists compete was vast.
“Despite the economic pressures, especially in the Gauteng region, these news teams, supported by their sales teams and managers, continue to produce award-winning publications. This is evident from the numerous wins by the Joburg metro group at the annual Avbob FCJ Excellence Awards in recent years.
“This year’s competition was particularly fierce, with editors competing against sold newspapers in the front and back page categories. Being a finalist against sold publications highlights that our editors truly understand their audience. Our publications also competed against higher pagination newspapers in the free newspaper category.”
“Securing three out of nine finalist positions in this category showcases the dedication of the editors and journalists in delivering essential news to their communities on well-designed pages,” added Lombard.
Finalists from Caxton Joburg Metro are:
Free newspapers of the year:
- Roodepoort Northsider
- Roodepoort Record
- Randburg Sun
Human interest writing: Jani de Beer (Benoni City Times).
Alet Roux Award for Most Promising Journalist of the Year: Jani de Beer (Benoni City Times).
Sports writing: Lebohang Pita (Benoni City Times)
Best front page:
- Bedfordview Edenvale News.
- Midrand Reporter.
Best back page:
- Northcliff Melville Times
- Roodepoort Northsider
Sandton will host this year’s AVBOB FCJ Excellence Awards on August 2.
