Journalism Awards ‘A particularly rewarding year’
The continued high standards of construction and property journalism demonstrated by entrants to the IBP 2005 National Journalism Awards Competition have made the 2005 competition a particularly rewarding one, according to the expert judges.
Time and again the judges reported that they had experienced the greatest difficulty in separating out the entries to select individual winners, so good were the standards of journalism demonstrated in the articles submitted.
Gerald Bowey, Chief Executive Officer of IBP, commented: “Some 354 articles were submitted and they more than maintained the high standards achieved in recent years.
“What has happened this year is that more entries were made in the news reporter and feature writer categories while entries to the Commercial Property Writer have trebled over the past two years.
“The Chairs of Judges clearly felt that journalists should be encouraged to also enter articles in generic categories such as construction and housing and we have identified a definite need to consider their output of articles carefully with a view to entering as many categories as possible.”
Among the qualities that most impressed the judges from the considerable range of subjects and issues presented to them were insight and balance, political astuteness, good imagination and the innovative use of newly available sources such as the Freedom of Information Act.
They were clearly delighted at the number of good old fashioned scoops among the articles entered and were greatly impressed at the strong visuals and powerful headlines which supported many of the entries.
In the key category of Young Journalist of the Year the judges delivered a clear, although good natured warning to existing practitioners, however successful and experienced, that a growing group of talented, highly motivated and energetic youngsters were already snapping at their heels.
It was especially gratifying to see the judges’ comment on the IBP Journalist of the Year that the entries presented construction and property journalism at its very best.
It is clear from the 2005 competition that these prestigious awards are increasingly sought after and provide a ‘must have’entry on the CVs of the most ambitious and successful journalists in the industry.
Add to this the highly successful launch of the inaugural IBP Regional Journalism Awards scheme in Manchester last month and it is clear that IBP’s mission to acknowledge and reward high standards of journalism in construction and property is going from strength to strength.
Clive M. Branson, Editor of Commercial Property Register was presented with the IBP Special Lifetime Achievement Award at the awards dinner by Giles Barrie, Editor of Property Week and deputy chairman of IBP.
The Award, is in recognition of Clive’s long and distinguished services to journalism, encompassing special reports at the Financial Times, the City Desk at the Daily Sketch and Daily Mail; freelance work on the Sunday Times, Sunday Standard, Financial Weekly and the Investors Review.
At the Builder Group Clive was Editorial Director and Editor of Chartered Surveyor Weekly (now Property Week) and subsequently launched both World Property and EuroProperty and was Property Editor of the European before taking up his latest editorship at Commercial Property Register.
Clive was made a Vice President of IBP last year after serving fifteen years as a deputy chairman. Clive has work tirelessly as a judge of the National Journalism Awards for many of those years and has encouraged and supported the aims of IBPto recognise and reward good journalism.
<b>The judges’ verdict</b><br>Judging for the IBP National Journalism Awards took place at The Building Centre, 26 Store Street, London WC1, on Monday, October 17. The judges’panels for each category comprised experts in the fields of journalism and the construction, design and property professions. Their verdicts are as follows:
ARCHITECTURALJOURNALIST
Winner: Martin Spring, Building.
Judges comment: ‘He demonstrated a combination of apertinent choice of topics, a highly professional, clear and readable style and a neat turn of phrase. This makes this hardy perennial such a valuable and reliable contributor to architectural journalism.’
ARCHITECTURALCRITIC
Winner: Hugh Pearman, Sunday Times.
Judges comment: ‘Whether pin-pointing poor circulation in a Renzo Piano building or commenting on Rem Koolhaas’s obsession with form, he writes in a style that is as intelligent as it is intelligible to the wider readership.’
CONSTRUCTION JOURNALIST
Winner: Mark Leftly, Building.
Judges comment: ‘His work has a broad and interesting canvas with UK European and international issues of interest to the reader. He writes in a refreshing, easy to assimilate style drawing a good balance between both sides of any argument.’
NEWS REPORTER
Winner: Phil Clark, writing for Building (now Editor QS Week)
Judges comment: ‘We were particularly impressed by the use of the Freedom of Information Act on which Phil jumped in and showed the way. He has an ability to create a fascinating insight into relationships between client and builder.’
FEATURE WRITER
Winner: George Hay, Building.
Judges comment: ‘He walks an astute path through the politics of the construction industry. This gives him an edge over other entrants. His article on Israel tackled a difficult subject and was particularly well-presented to the reader.’
BUSINESS / FINANCIAL JOURNALIST
Winner: Jenny Davey, The Times.
Judges comment: ‘She has delivered a series of scoops for The Times written in a clear style and without the intrusion of comment. Her story about the sale of Wentworth was as exclusive as the golf club itself.’
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY WRITER
Winner: Claer Barrett, Property Week.
Judges comment: ‘Her article on Southern Cross, a serviced-office company that collapsed, was a welcome and rare piece of investigative journalism and was proof that such stories can be pursued despite legal and financial constraints. It was clearly written and well supported by evidence.’
HOUSING JOURNALIST
Winner: Jo Smit, Building.
Judges comment: ‘We were impressed by the variety of topics and her willingness to address the big issues. She demonstrated consistent quality in terms of style and impact, particularly in the ‘Precious Heat’ piece.’
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY WRITER
Winner: Piers Wehner, Estates Gazette.
Judges comment: ‘His diversity of topics, depth of research backed by good headlines and his ability to attract and maintain interest were commendable.’
YOUNG JOURNALIST
Winner: Rob Sharp, Architects’Journal.
Judges comment: ‘He demonstrated the energy, drive and determination that young journalists must have to succeed. We were impressed at how he successfully used and interpreted the access to people that he gained.’
MAGAZINE (WEEKLY)
Winner: Construction News.
Judges comment: ‘We especially rated its concise news stories backed by solid analysis. It is highly readable withgood content and has a history of breaking great news stories.’
MAGAZINE (NON-WEEKLY)
Winner: Icon magazine
Judges comment: ‘This a beautifully designed and well written magazine which knows its market very well.’
IBP JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Winner: Claer Barrett, Property Week.
Judges comment: ‘Her exposé of the collapse of Southern Cross was a template for good investigative journalism. It is encouraging to see that highly controversial articles like this still have a place in construction trade journalism. Claer was rightly congratulated by the High Court for her work.’