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Finalists unveiled for Kent Press & Broadcast Awards 2022

June, 2022

After reviewing all 118 entries, the judges for the Kent Press & Broadcast Awards (KPBA) have decided on the finalists in 16 categories, saying ‘choosing winners was tougher than ever’.

The not-for-profit award scheme, organised by Kent PR and marketing agency Maxim, is designed to recognise and celebrate local journalism and the media’s commitment to serving local communities. 

After being held virtually for two years due to the pandemic, the awards ceremony will return to The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury on Friday 15 July and is being hosted by award-winning journalist Ben Brown. Born and bred in Kent, Ben is a familiar face on the BBC News Channel, the BBC One O’Clock News and weekend news bulletins. 

Maxim Director Rachel Knight commented: “The judges said they were blown away by the standard of entries considering the difficulties of the past 12 months. There were so many entries from journalists passionate about their communities and telling their stories.

“It’s obviously been a really challenging time so we’re very much looking forward to being able to celebrate the achievements of Kent’s media in person again. That wouldn’t be possible without the support of the KPBA sponsors so we must say a huge thank you to them.”

The judging panel comprises Kiran Bhangal of Sky News Radio; Deputy News Editor of Metro and former Kent Young Journalist of the Year Sian Elvin; Rebecca Smith, former senior editor for Kent Regional News and Media; Leo Whitlock, a local newspaper journalist for more than 20 years, much of which was spent at the KM Media Group; Susie Boniface, a national journalist known as Fleet Street Fox; digital consultant Patrick Fuller; and journalist and lecturer Dr Sarah Lonsdale.

The 2022 finalists are listed below. 

Kent Broadcast Journalist of the Year, sponsored by Eurotunnel

  • Colin Campbell, BBC South East Today
  • James Dunn, BBC South East Today
  • Joe Coshan, ITV News Meridian
  • Josie Hannett, BBC South East Today


Kent Columnist of the Year, sponsored by Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce

  • Matthew Munson, The Isle of Thanet News
  • Melissa Todd, Thanet Extra
  • Simon Finlay, Downs Mail
  • Susan McGowan, Kent Life


Kent Design(er) of the Year

  • Ashley Austen, KM Media Group / KMTV
  • James Black, KM Media Group
  • Lizzy Tweedale, Brightside Publishing
  • Paul Acres, KM Media Group


Best Use of Digital Media, sponsored by Discovery Park

  • Henry Collier, KentLive  
  • KentLive 
  • KentOnline 
  • Megan Carr, Sheerness Times Guardian & Sittingbourne News  
     

Kent Feature Journalist of the Year (Broadcast), sponsored by Digitom Video Production Agency

  • Colin Campbell, BBC South East Today
  • Derek Johnson, ITV News Meridian
  • Jo Burn, BBC Radio Kent
  • Sara Thornton, BBC South East Today
     

Kent Feature Journalist of the Year (Print & Online), sponsored by MHA MacIntyre Hudson

  • Chris Hunter, Medway Messenger & KentOnline
  • Jack Dyson, Kentish Gazette Series
  • Lydia Chantler-Hicks, Kentish Gazette
  • Marijke Hall, Thanet Extra & ‘Cene


Kent Magazine of the Year

  • ‘Cene
  • insideKENT
  • The Margate Mercury
  • The Next Step


Kent New Journalist of the Year, sponsored by EKC Group

  • Emily-Jane Heap, KentLive / Kent & Sussex Courier 
  • Jadzia Samuel, KMTV 
  • Adam McGroarty, KentLive 
  • Laoise Gallagher, KentOnline


Kent News Website of the Year, sponsored by Port of Dover

  • Downs Mail
  • KentOnline 
  • KentLive 
  • The Isle of Thanet News


​​​​​​Kent Newspaper of the Year, sponsored by Southeastern

  • Kentish Gazette
  • Kent Messenger 
  • Sheerness Times Guardian
  • The Isle of Thanet News


Kent Photographer of the Year 

  • Andy Jones, freelance 
  • Frank Leppard, freelance 
  • Martin Apps, freelance
  • Matt Walker, freelance 
     

Kent Print & Online Journalist of the Year, sponsored by Ashford Designer Outlet

  • Joe Wright, Kentish Gazette
  • Lydia Chantler-Hicks, Kentish Gazette
  • Marijke Hall, Thanet Extra
  • Mary Harris, KentLive/Kent & Sussex Courier  


Kent Programme of the Year, sponsored by NIAB

  • BBC Radio Kent, The Wake Up Call 
  • BBC South East Today
  • Kent Pro Wrestling (KMTV)
  • KMTV


Kent Scoop of the Year, sponsored by Panattoni

  • Alex Jee, Kentish Express / Folkestone & Hythe Express / KentOnline
  • BBC Radio Kent 
  • Joe Coshan, ITV News Meridian
  • The Isle of Thanet News 


The Neil Bell Kent Sports Journalist of the Year, supported by Kent Cricket

  • Ben Watts, BBC Radio Kent 
  • Jon Phipps & Matt Gerrard, Kent Non-League Podcast
  • Juliette Parkin, BBC South East Today
  • Tommaso Dimiddio, KMTV 


Kent Voices Award, sponsored by BAE Systems

  • Joe Coshan, ITV News Meridian
  • KentLive     
  • Laoise Gallagher, KentOnline
  • The Isle of Thanet News 


For more information on the Kent Press & Broadcast Awards, visit www.kpbawards.co.uk
 

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