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Finalists unveiled for Kent Press & Broadcast Awards 2024

June, 2024

After receiving a record number of entries, the organisers of the Kent Press & Broadcast Awards (KPBA) have announced the finalists in 16 categories.

Now in its tenth year, the not-for-profit award scheme, which is designed to celebrate local journalism and the media’s commitment to serving their communities, is run by Tunbridge Wells-based PR and marketing agency Maxim.

A team of independent judges reviewed 163 entries, many of which were from first time entrants. 

After the General Election was announced, this year’s award ceremony – that was due to take place the following day – was moved to Friday, 26 July. BBC news presenter Martine Croxall (pictured below) is returning to host at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in Canterbury.
 


Maxim Director Rachel Knight commented: “We’re very proud to have been running the Kent Press & Broadcast Awards for 10 years and extremely grateful to all the sponsors that have made it possible.

“I’d also like to thank our judges as it’s so important to have an independent panel who have been on the ground in local newsrooms. Having such a large number of entries this year was the perfect way to mark a decade of celebrating local journalism.

“It’s been challenging to move the ceremony – as well as a 10th anniversary party – at late notice but we know our local journalists will be working hard on the General Election at the beginning of July. I’m so grateful to Martine Croxall, who did a fabulous job of hosting last year, for agreeing to return after our original plans had to change.”  

The judging panel comprises Adrian Wills, former newspaper and broadcast journalist; Anthony France, national and international journalist and editor; Elaine Bruce, former BBC senior journalist and news and features producer; John Warnett, former journalist and radio presenter; Leo Whitlock, a local newspaper journalist for more than 20 years, much of which was spent at the KM Media Group; Rebecca Smith, former senior editor for Kent Regional News and Media; Sian Elvin, national journalist and editor and a former KPBA Kent Young Journalist of the Year; and Susie Boniface, a national journalist known as Fleet Street Fox.

The 2024 finalists are listed below. 

Kent Broadcast Journalist of the Year, sponsored by Le Shuttle

  • Christine Alsford, ITV News Meridian
  • James Dunham, ITV News Meridian
  • Kit Bradshaw, ITV News Meridian
  • Phil Harrison, BBC Radio Kent
     

Kent Broadcast Presenter of the Year, sponsored by CPL Films

  • Abby Hook, KMTV
  • Adam Dowling, BBC Radio Kent
  • Claudia Sermbezis, BBC South East
  • Dominic King, BBC Radio Kent


Kent Designer of the Year, supported by charity partner The Leas Lift

  • James Black, KM Media Group
  • Lizzy Tweedale, Brightside Publishing
  • Lorna Morris, Sideways Media
  • Rhodri Andrews, KMTV


Kent Feature Journalist of the Year (Broadcast), sponsored by Shepherd Neame

  • Derek Johnson, ITV News Meridian
  • Gabriel Morris, KMTV
  • Jo Burn, BBC Radio Kent
  • Tony Green, ITV News Meridian


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

  • Keely Greenwood, KentOnline
  • Max Chesson, KM Media Group
  • Megan Carr, Sittingbourne News / Sheerness Times Guardian
  • Rhys Griffiths, KentOnline


Kent Investigation of the Year 

  • Joe Coshan, ITV News Meridian
  • Kit Bradshaw, ITV News Meridian
  • Max Chesson, KM Media Group
  • Megan Carr, Sittingbourne News / Sheerness Times Guardian
     

Kent Magazine of the Year, sponsored by Stagecoach South East

  • Broadstairs Beacon / Folkestone Foghorn / Margate Mercury / Whitstable Whistler
  • Bygone Kent
  • Cene Magazine
  • Kent Staycation


Kent Making it Happen Award, sponsored by Gallagher Group

  • Niki Jacobs, CommunityAd
  • Roni Glasthal, KMTV
  • Toby Winson, ITV News Meridian
  • Viv Oliver, KMTV
     

Kent New Journalist of the Year, sponsored by East Kent Colleges Group

  • Abby Hook, KMTV
  • Max Chesson, KM Media Group
  • Oliver Leonard, KentOnline
  • Ruth Cassidy, KentOnline / Kentish Gazette Series


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

  • KentLive
  • KentOnline
  • Local Authority
  • The Isle of Thanet News


Kent Newspaper of the Year

  • Folkestone & Hythe Express
  • Kentish Express
  • Kentish Gazette    
  • Kent Messenger


Kent Print & Online Journalist of the Year, sponsored by Caxtons

  • Brad Harper, KentOnline
  • Ed Jennings, Local Authority News
  • Hedi Mehrez, KentLive
  • Millie Bowles, Kentish Gazette Series / Thanet Extra / KentOnline


Kent Programme of the Year

  • BBC South East Today
  • News Nuggets, KMTV
  • The Huddle, BBC Radio Kent
  • Tonnes of Tins, kmfm 
  • Who’s Caring for the Carers?, ITV Meridian Special


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

  • Kathy Bailes, The Isle of Thanet News
  • Megan Carr, Medway Messenger / Sittingbourne News / Sheerness Times Guardian
  • Millie Bowles, Kentish Gazette Series / Thanet Extra / KentOnline
  • Ruth Cassidy, KentOnline / Kentish Gazette Series


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

  • Bartholomew Hall, KMTV
  • Christian Fuller, BBC South East
  • James Dunn, BBC South East
  • Matt Cole & Ben Watts, BBC Radio Kent


Kent Voices Award, supported by charity partner Demelza

  • Brightside Publishing, Clare Freeman
  • Davina Jethwa, KentOnline
  • Megan Samrai, ITV News Meridian
  • Ruth Cassidy, KentOnline / Kentish Gazette Series
     

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

The 2024 KPBA judging panel gather to agree on the shortlist.

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