Nominee Summary
If it happens in Dumfries and Galloway then DNG Media know about it! The independent, family firm have five weekly newspapers covering the region and editor Fiona Reid and the small, but perfectly formed, news team work flat out to ensure their readers are kept up to date with all the local news, views, politics, farming and sport. They are dedicated to, and passionate about, their region and it shows in the newspapers week in, week out. Nothing is too small or insignificant to be included and they're just as keen on good news as bad!
In no more than 350 words, tell us why you think you/your work should win this award. You may wish to consider factors such as what inspired you, the challenges involved, the impact of the output, and what makes your work stand out?
We are nominating our whole news team as we work cohesively, rather than as individuals, to produce premium newspapers that celebrate Dumfries and Galloway and all that happens here. Every week we strive to inform, educate and entertain the residents of this region and be a trusted place where they can find answers and information - which in the world of fake news and AI is so important. We take our role seriously and understand what our readers want: with reporters regularly attending community council meetings, agricultural shows and summer events, weekend football fixtures, Xmas lights switch ons and a whole other range of local events. We keep a close eye on what Dumfries and Galloway Council and South Scotland Enterprise are up to, as well as NHS DG, and are not afraid to hold them to account. In the past year, we have closely followed the progress of the Galloway National Park bid, giving both sides a place to share their thoughts/arguments. We put in a 13 hour overnight shift at the General Election count in Dumfries, staying 10pm to 11am to ensure we were first with the results of the two consistencies. Upgrading the A75, returning maternity services to the Galloway Hospital and keeping open community hospitals, as well as the ongoing saga of the Annan footbridges, have been other campaigns we've been involved in. We were the only newspapers in Dumfries and Galloway to get sit down interviews with Humza Yousaf, John Swinney, Anas Sawar and Russell Findlay during their local visits to discuss issues in Dumfries and Galloway. In addition, we've welcomed two interns from Syracuse University in the US as part of efforts to keep the Lockerbie-Syracuse link alive following the 1988 air disaster.
