Scottish Student Journalism Awards 2018 launched

Glasgow Clyde College HND Media and Communication students have re-launched the prestigious Scottish Student Journalism Awards (SSJA) in association with BBC Scotland and other media organisations including headline sponsor The Scottish Newspaper Society.

It’s the first year the SSJAs have run in conjunction with BBC Scotland and will mean senior broadcasting professionals will be both judging and presenting three of the awards.

Also, for the inaugural year, the awards will run in partnership with The Scottish Newspaper Society providing not only sponsorship but judges and hosts from the country’s top news brands including The Scottish Sun and The Daily Record.

The awards are open to all students in Scotland studying journalism at college or university and give applicants a chance to showcase their talents to top industry professionals.

Three categories will be run in association with BBC Scotland; Broadcast Story of the Year, Podcast of the Year and Best Mobile Journalism story – reflecting the direction the industry is moving in and the digital skills a new generation of reporters will require.

BBC Scotland Deputy Head of News, Peter MacRae, said: “BBC Scotland is pleased to be associated with this year’s Scottish Student Journalism Awards, building on the relationship we already have with the Higher Education sector.

“Digital story-telling skills are essential for journalists entering the industry today whether a media organisation’s roots are in broadcasting or publishing.

“The new award categories of mobile journalism and podcasting will give students the
opportunity to demonstrate their readiness to join the news media industry in Scotland.”

Students shortlisted in the 13 categories are invited to the awards at Glasgow’s St Andrew’s in the Square on May 30th.

Director of The Scottish Newspaper Society John McLellan said: "The Scottish Newspaper Society is delighted to support the Scottish Student Journalism Awards, to recognise and encourage the wealth of talent coming out of Scottish universities and colleges every year, and to strengthen the links between the news industry and education.

"The breadth of the award categories also reflects the multiple skills required of the modern journalist.

"In a highly-competitive world, the best young writers, editors and producers deserve recognition and we're looking forward to some cracking entries."

The awards are organised by the 2nd year HND Media and Communications class at Glasgow Clyde College who are determined to make this year’s event better than ever.

The group are working round the clock to ensure everything from judging to catering is organised ahead of the event.

Glasgow Clyde College Assistant Principal, Faculty of Business, Creative and Digital Industries, Robert Anderson, said: “I’m delighted that we are to be working in association with the BBC. This is further recognition of the growing reputation our staff and students have developed over the last few years.”

The college’s Head of Curriculum for Media and Performing Arts, Claire Donaghey, added: “I’m quite sure that this support from the BBC will enrich the students’ learning experience and industry knowledge.”

SSJA team spokesperson, media student Amy Beaton said: “We want to make the Scottish Student Journalism Awards even better than ever before and the whole class are working hard to ensure we give journalism students an opportunity to showcase their work and be a part of this prestigious event.”

To find out more about the awards and to apply visit http://ssjawards.co.uk . The closing date for entries is 17 April 2018.