Third Force News is up for one of the Oscars of Scottish journalism
Third Force News (TFN) has been nominated for a prestigious journalism award.
We are up for the “innovation of the year” category at this year’s Scottish Press Awards.
The nomination marks the culmination of a successful year for TFN – Scotland’s only sector specific website and newspaper.
TFN made the leap into the world of “digital first” publishing last year and it has really paid off, with the team smashing all targets set and breaking big stories – many of which have been followed up by the mainstream press.
The big names have also been keen to talk to TFN – including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy, both of whom have given us exclusive interviews.
These are the gold standard of journalistic excellence in Scotland and this shows how far we have come
Editor Susan Smith said: “We’re all absolutely chuffed at this nomination. These are the gold standard of journalistic excellence in Scotland and this shows how far we have come.”
In one of the highest entry levels in the awards’ history, 418 submissions were received and the winners will be announced at a black tie dinner Glasgow’s Radisson Blu Hotel on April 16, 2015.
The scheme is overseen by the Scottish Newspaper Society.
Director John McLellan said: “The high quality of the entries reflects a brilliant year for Scottish journalism.
“Shortlisting from such a strong pack of entries was not easy, but it’s a problem the industry should be proud to have.”
The first round judges who produced the shortlists were drawn from the Scottish Newspaper Society Editors’ Committee, and representatives from two category sponsors of Clydesdale Bank and the Scotch Whisky Association.
There will now be a second round of judging by a panel chaired by lawyer, broadcaster, journalist and past president of the Law Society of Scotland, Austin Lafferty.
The judging committee also includes Tricia Marwick MSP, the Scottish Parliament’s presiding officer, and John Mullin, the former Independent on Sunday editor, who recently headed BBC Scotland’s referendum coverage.
The final judging day will be held in closed session at the end of March.
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