NATIONAL AWARDS
The Yukon News won six top prizes at Friday’s annual Canadian Community Newspaper Awards—more than any other publication.
Richard Mostyn’s editorial on Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s use of veterans for a photo op was deemed “outstanding” by the judges.
“Mostyn quickly sets the scene and then gets to the point. He exposes the government’s hypocrisy in an easy-to-understand manner, making excellent use of research to drive home his points.”
John Thompson’s reporting on the accidental unearthing of Klondike killers in Dawson City was judged to be “a superb retelling of an exciting time in Yukon history.
“Great research, great narrative force, a compelling local historical context and a little skulduggery and murder thrown in just for good measure: A good tale, well told.”
Ian Stewart’s feature photograph of clouds scudding above Whitehorse “stood out a clear first-place winner.
“The photo was a delight to look at and reminded me of an impressionist painting. While simple in execution, the image leaves you with a sense of awe for nature and may have been a moment that another photographer would have overlooked or missed completely.”
Message in a Bottle, the newspaper’s special section on the Yukon government’s inattention to alcohol abuse, won an award for outstanding community service. It was called “a magnificent job of bringing understanding and insight to an issue that affects everyone in their community.
“This section created much discussion, influenced public policy and brought knowledge to the residents. The paper still sees numerous hits every month on their website.”
The newspaper’s arts coverage also won a top prize. “Yukon News stood out the most because of the unique, interesting and edgy stories. I love how this paper pushes the envelope and tells stories that other papers might shy away from.”
Mike Thomas’ online video on the debate over the fate of the Peel Watershed won best multimedia feature. The video “featured vivid and extraordinarily beautiful images.
“This is the type of entry that makes you say ‘Wow, I wish I had done that.’”
The News received an additional seven nominations at the national awards.
Genesee Keevil won silver prizes for feature and environmental writing. Mike Thomas won two silvers for best photo essay and website.
Larissa Johnston won bronze for best news story, for “connecting the dots between a toddler’s choking death and the subsequent move of an ambulance station.”
Genesee Keevil won bronze for outstanding reporter initiative. And John Thompson won bronze for excellence in rural reporting.
REGIONAL AWARDS
The Yukon News went on to win three gold prizes and eight nominations at Saturday’s Ma Murray awards, held by the British Columbia and Yukon Community Newspaper Association.
Message in a Bottle won top prize for community service. Mike Thomas’ feature photography and web design both also won gold.
Vivian Belik won silver prizes for her business writing and environmental initiative. Genesee Keevil won silver for feature series.
John Thompson won silver for environmental writing. Ian Stewart won silver for feature photography.
Genesee Keevil also won bronze for environmental initiative. Mike Thomas won bronzes for best portrait and sports photo.