We're delighted to announce the launch of the first MediaBlog Awards and we want your nominations for the shortlist.
First up what we anticipate to be the most hotly contested catergories:
Media Hero of the Year
It's easy to forget amid the criticism their profession recieves the sterling work done by campaigning journalists in bringing shocking truths to light. Likewise the editors who risk reprisals or legal action to get a story into the public domain. We're looking for those people who have gone above and beyond in the name of a good story that needed to be told.
Media Villain of the Year
You would have to have been living in a cave this year not to have noticed some stories that have sparked outrage for everything from poorly disguised prejudice to dangerously misleading claims. Similarly there are those who have attempted to stand in the way of a story or defend the indefensible. We want your nominations for the person or people who have done the most to debase the media, or lower the conversation with a poisonous agenda. Alternatively you may want to nominate an individual or organisation who has threatened the success or stability of the media.
Post a comment below and let us know who you think should be shortlisted for these two awards... and why. You can also email awards@themediablog.co.uk to make your nominations.
We will then compile a shortlist for readers to vote on.
Ooh... what was that lady called, from the Daily Mail. You know the one... wrote nasty things about Stephen Gately. Jan Moir, that's it.
For the Villain category, obviously.
Posted by: Steven P. | Dec 16, 2009 at 10:08
Jan Moir, Carter Ruck, Trafigura, the High Court have all done their bit to debase the media and/or restrict its powers and credibility.
Posted by: Jimbo | Dec 16, 2009 at 10:12
From two sides of the political spectrum - I say hats off to The Guardian's Nick Davies for taking on the News of the World which lead to the subsequent phone tapping enquiry, and Robert Winnett and Gordon Rayner from the Telegraph for pushing through the exposee of MPs expenses.
Posted by: Mediaboy | Dec 16, 2009 at 10:15
I refer you to the Express: "100 reasons why claimte change isn't man made".
Definite villainy!
Posted by: Claire White | Dec 16, 2009 at 10:31
How about the Sun for its exploitation of a dead soldier's mother and its shameless assault on Gordon Brown for his handwriting. Perspective much!?!
Agree with previous poster about The Telegraph's work on MPs expenses - good shout!
Posted by: Chrissy | Dec 16, 2009 at 10:50
AA Gill. Baboon shooter!
Posted by: Anon | Dec 16, 2009 at 10:54
lachlan murdoch
jan moir
NOTW phone tapping bastards
heroes: telegraph on expenses
Posted by: jonathon | Dec 16, 2009 at 10:55
Media Hero: Twitter
Media Villain: The Daily Mail
Posted by: Ian Dunn | Dec 16, 2009 at 11:06
I nominate Rupert Murdoch for his paywall plan. Should ensure we're not accidentally exposed to Sun content!! That is definitely a good thing. No more Dominic Mohan mindfarts like handwriting-gate!
So hero - for protecting us from the Sun - and villain - for not doing it sooner!
Posted by: anonymous | Dec 16, 2009 at 13:35
Carter Ruck for attempting to gag the press!
Posted by: anonymous | Dec 16, 2009 at 13:36
Agree - Nick Davies was a hero for flagging the working practices of NOTW.
Villain - Daily Mail, for everything it's ever printed but most notably for paying for that vile Jan Moir and her homophobic opinions!
Posted by: A.Reader | Dec 16, 2009 at 13:38
How about the BBC for this platform of hate it's given to the nutters of the world: http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=7347&edition=1&ttl=20091216164510
Posted by: anon | Dec 16, 2009 at 16:46
Heros: Heather Brooke and David Leigh
Villians: James Murdoch
Posted by: Conrad | Dec 16, 2009 at 17:07
i meant to say james murdoch earlier ... lachlan seems a nice enough chap
Posted by: jonathon | Dec 16, 2009 at 17:27
Easy...
Media heros:
Guardian (iPhone App),
Twitter (for breaking loads of storied ahead of 'mainstream press' and for its role in the Iran election story),
BBC for launching Democracy Live,
Telegraph for exposing MPs' expenses scandal
Media villains:
Jan Muir, Daily Mail. Lillian Ladele story, Daily Mail.
Murdoch for his Paywall debacle
Posted by: Rax | Dec 16, 2009 at 18:14
I'd say Jon Boone (Guardian) et al for all the Afghanistan coverage
Villain has to be those lovely people over at Carter-ruck, plus Trafigura . . . wait, am I allowed to say that?
Posted by: ndwillis | Dec 17, 2009 at 10:12
How about Question Time for the truly excellent edition which forever undermined Nick Griffin's credibility and political career.
Posted by: James | Dec 17, 2009 at 11:44