Dreams came true in Cape Town last week when Northcliff Melville Times walked away with the award for Newspaper of the Year at the Avbob FCJ Awards.
The Forum of Community Journalists (FCJ) awards, which took place on August 4, celebrate community journalists and newspapers from all across the country, giving different media houses, as well as their independent colleagues the opportunity to compete against, and celebrate each other.
Together with our sister publications Randburg Sun, Fourways Review, Rosebank Killarney Gazette and Sandton Chronicle, Northcliff Melville Times was named as finalists in the category for corporate-owned free newspapers with a pagination of less than 24, which featured an astounding 57 entries, ultimately taking home the top prize.
“The hard work that goes into producing a community newspaper cannot be under-estimated, and it is truly touching for that hard work to be recognised by the judges. We are ecstatic that our team work has been noticed, and has paid off. Northcliff Melville Times is a powerhouse little publication, and I am incredibly proud of the team for making this happen,” says editor, Aimee McGill.
The two journalists responsible for the stories that make us a now award-winning publication are Neo Phashe and Emily Wellman-Bain. “These two woman work unbelievably hard for their community, and deserve all the glory that comes with this award. Though vastly different people, they work together to produce a newspaper that has a little bit of everything, and really represents the eclectic community that we serve. Thank you both for your selfless dedication to this amazing newspaper – myself and your community appreciate you so very much.”
In order for a newspaper to be successful though, a whole host of people need to be fully dedicated to the task. “To our esteemed sub-editors, sales team, production team and the admin team, as well as the other Joburg North journalists who often contribute stories to Northcliff Melville Times, thank you so much. Your efforts do not go unnoticed and this win is yours to own as well.”
Editor-in-chief for Caxton’s Johannesburg Metro, Marietta Lombard, congratulated the Northcliff Melville Times team on their win.
“The same newsroom that produced the best newspaper in the 24 and more pagination category last year, again excelled this year at the Avbob FCJ Excellence Awards when Northcliff Melville Times won the Best Newspaper in the corporate-owned pagination 24 and less category. It shows this local news team’s commitment to producing award-winning journalism and their drive to present their stories in a format that appeals to their readers.
“Although Northcliff Melville Times may have been considered by some as a ‘small’ newspaper, it has now firmly placed itself among the top performers in community media,” says Lombard.
McGill concluded, “We at the Northcliff Melville Times could not do the work that we do were it not for the community we serve. We acknowledge our community – the people who give us tip-offs, comment, share photos of their children and pets, the ones who answer our questions, and keep us on our toes by questioning us.
“We could not have done this without you. This is our commitment to keep working hard to bring you honest and reliable local news that you can depend on and look forward to.”
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