FCJ honours journos
Three Group Editors journalists were honoured at the annual FCJ (Forum for Community Journalists) Excellence Awards during a glittering function in Pretoria last Friday evening, 29 June.
This prestigious event, the biggest of its kind in South Africa, was attended by 100 invited media guests and finalists from across the country. Hugo Redelinghuys, sport editor of the George Herald, was runner-up in the highly contested sport writing category, which he has won consecutively for the past four years.
He was also a finalist in the best general news photo section and was placed fifth in the best sport photo section.
Redelinghuys was also unanimously elected as new executive director of the FCJ for the next two years. Suzette Herrer, editor of the Mossel Bay Advertiser, received a third prize for their paper in the category best corporate paid newspaper with a circulation less than 10 000. This category was won by the Somerset West paper District Mail.
Mossel Bay journalist and columnist Cornell Carstens finished in the top ten for best columns.
Redelinghuys told the George Herald that the future of the FCJ Excellence Awards looks bright indeed.
“Not only have we seen an increase of about 20% in the number of entries for 2017 compared to that of the previous year, but we also have Sappi on board as a new sponsor,” he said. “If we, together with Caxton, Media24 and MHI Attorneys, can build on this hopefully beneficial relationship, the FCJ Awards can restore itself to its former glory.”
He said they are delighted that two media sponsors who are both out there feverishly competing for top market share, have unselfishly decided to join hands in supporting this competition.
“They have realised publishing standards of excellence must be upheld and improved if all media houses are to survive. They’ve also realised the importance of supporting vehicles through which these vital goals could be achieved - like the FCJ Awards. The FCJ would like to congratulate all the finalists and winners and would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the panel of judges for a sterling job.”
The FCJ Excellence Awards was sponsored by Caxton Newspapers, Media24, Sappi - who came on board this year - MHI Attorneys and the North West University, who sponsored the accommodation and work space for the panel of judges for four days. Isis Décor & Design, a family-run business based in Louis Trichardt, sponsored the theme evening.