'Have faith in what you do and who you are': advice from winners at the Scottish Press Awards
Pictured clockwise from top left Heather Dewar; L-R Gabriella Bennett (Chair of WiJ Scotland), Marion Scott (Sunday Post) and Denise West of the Scottish Press Awards; A group photo of all the award winners. Pictures: Jeff Holmes
By Jennifer McLaren
The 43rd Scottish Press Awards in Glasgow saw a raft of female journalists being recognised for outstanding work over the past year.
We would like to congratulate all the winners, runners-up and nominees – many of whom are members of our network.
Heather Dewar of the Scottish Daily Mail picked up Journalist of the Year and Sports News Writer of the Year, while Marion Scott of The Sunday Post received the Nicola Barry Award and Reporter of the Year.
There were so many other names to celebrate including: Daniella Theis (Student of the Year); Beth Murray (Young Journalist of the Year) Hannah Rodger (Political Journalist of the Year) and WiJ Scotland’s chair Gabriella Bennett, who was runner-up in both Scoop of the Year and Travel Writer of the Year.
We caught up with Heather Dewar, who is not only an outstanding broadcast and print sports journalist but also a Women in Journalism Scotland mentor on our mentoring programme.
She was ecstatic to take home her double whammy of awards after a challenging few years.
Heather told us: “Winning Journalist of the Year and Sports News Writer of the Year is without doubt the highlight of my career so far. On the night, I really wasn’t expecting to win a thing. I was absolutely delighted just to have been nominated.
“It was such a huge, huge honour to take both titles. I have an enormous amount of respect for my journalistic colleagues and fellow nominees, so to come home with Journalist of the Year, in particular, is simply incredible.”
She added: “I really want to thank the judges for recognising the work I have delivered over the last year. It means so much to me after a particularly torrid time.”
Heather Dewar accepting her award on stage. Picture: Jeff Holmes
Heather revealed that this time two years ago, she was on Universal Credit and living off a credit card, having been cast aside as a freelancer due to the global pandemic.
She explained: “I fell through every crack imaginable and could only look on in envy at those fortunate enough to be furloughed. I’d gone from a contracted position as women’s sport reporter to staring into the abyss of unemployment. No help. No warning. Nothing.
“The Mail threw me a lifeline just after I’d started a full-time role with the civil service and gave me the opportunity to step into the world of newspapers as a freelance contributor. I juggled home-schooling and working full-time with writing and deadlines.
“As a broadcaster of twenty years, this was a whole new world for me, but the welcome I have received has been fantastic.”
Heather said she has worked on amazing stories with some phenomenal individuals over the past year.
“I want to thank them for the trust they instilled in me to tell their stories,” she continued. “I hope that in some small way, my own story can inspire young journalists to keep on fighting when the world seems against them.
“Know your worth. Don’t listen to those who try to put you down”
“Have faith in what you do and who you are. Reach for the stars. Know your worth. Don’t listen to those who try to put you down. With hard work and determination, you can beat your own path to success.
“Most importantly, respect those around you. Do that, and you’ve already won half the battle.”
The Nicola Barry Award is sponsored by WiJ Scotland and is open to all women journalists working in print and online media in Scotland.
It honours the memory of Nicola Barry – one of Scotland’s most respected journalists – who passed away in 2017.
Heather was the runner-up in this category and the judging panel felt without exception that both she and winner Marion Scott reflected Nicola’s incisive and thorough approach to investigative journalism, imbuing all their stories with humanity, heart and soul.
Marion is Chief Reporter at The Sunday Post and her portfolio had three extremely powerful articles, which displayed her talent for interviewing and storytelling as well as tireless research and attention to detail.
Marion said: “I was absolutely over the moon to receive this award. I have been in journalism for such a long time and have collected a lot of awards over the years, but it was particularly special to receive the Nicola Barry Award because it’s something I never thought I would get.
“Nicola was tremendous and a trailblazer. She did an incredible job. I just hope that I am worthy of having the award in her name.”
She added: “I’m very lucky The Sunday Post and our editor Jim Wilson ensures we get the time to do the research and he encourages us absolutely to do the whole story. In fact, that’s one of our slogans – when you read the paper you’re not just getting a tidbit, you’re getting the whole story.”
Marion believes it’s vitally important a Sunday newspaper is able to take the time to present in-depth stories so readers can digest the background and research that has gone into crafting the articles. The Sunday Post was also named Sunday Newspaper of the Year at the ceremony.
Nicola Barry Award. L-R Gabriella Bennett (Chair of WiJ Scotland) Marion Scott (The Sunday Post) and Denise West (Scottish Press Awards) Picture: Jeff Holmes
“I think no matter what happens we will always have a Sunday newspaper and one of the things we should always concentrate on is doing stories that matter, taking on subjects that mean something to our readers,” Marion continued.
“We tackle subjects such as serious women’s issues, domestic violence, crime, child abuse. I did the mesh implants campaign after thousands of women were left with life-changing injuries across Scotland.”
She also noticed something of a sea change at the press awards ceremony, with more women being recognised for their hard work and professionalism.
Marion said: “It was really wonderful to see Heather Dewar receiving Journalist of the Year as a sports writer and getting recognition for doing what she does. She has gone across the board and tackled incredible subjects that don’t just appeal to sport fans, they appeal to every kind of reader. She was a worthy winner and really deserved it.”
WiJ Scotland would like to thank the Nicola Barry Award judges: Jan Patience, Cat MacPhee, Jean Rafferty and Nicola Young for their time and energy.
Gabriella Bennett, WiJ Scotland chair, said: “Women in Journalism Scotland is proud to celebrate our very best women journalists with the Nicola Barry Award. This year’s finalists spanned a broad range of beats but all had sparkling writing and original ideas in common.
"The award was set up to pay tribute to one of Scotland’s finest women journalists, and Marion Scott is another top talent to add to that list”.