Murdered Lyra McKee honoured at Regional Press Awards
Lyra McKee, who was shot dead by a terrorist in Derry.
By Democrat reporter
Murdered journalist Lyra McKee was honoured posthumously at the Regional Press Awards where the industry came together to recognise excellence in journalism.
The Belfast Telegraph and Glasgow’s Sunday Herald were among publications named as papers of the year for their work during 2018.
In other categories, awards recognised the innovation and vitality shown in the regional and local news sector, in particular in the digital field where the Manchester Evening News was awarded Best Web Site of the Year.
Lyra McKee’s mother Joan McKee and sister Nichola Corner attended the awards lunch in the heart of London to accept the Journalists’ Charity Award on her behalf.
The award, is in the gift of the charity, recognises a journalist or organisation who has made a significant contribution to the industry. Lyra was shot and killed while reporting on rioting in Derry a month ago aged just 29.
Society of Editors executive director Ian Murray said the award for Lyra recognised her achievements during her short career, but also highlighted the risks that journalists even at local level take in bringing news to their communities.
“The awards this year were never more needed to recognise the vital and on-going role of the regional and local press,” commented Murray.
“They coincide with the launch of the Journalism Matters Campaign, launched by the News Media Association, and underscore the message there that communities would be immeasurably poorer but for the work carried out by their local newspapers and associated websites.
“From covering local democracy to ensuring open justice the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, the local media is alive and playing a vital role, and these awards prove what good shape the industry is in.”