Q&A with Georgia Edkins: Scottish Press Awards Journalist of the Year
Georgia Edkins, 29, began her journalism career as a trainee on the Daily Mail graduate scheme in London. Following a secondment to Scotland, where she worked at the Mail on Sunday, she moved back to London to take up the position of Whitehall Correspondent.
In January 2023 she returned to Scotland, becoming Scottish Political Editor at the Mail on Sunday, where she brought in a series of high-profile scoops and splashes. She won four awards at this week’s Scottish Press Awards: Political Journalist of the Year, Scoop of the Year, Reporter of the Year and the highly coveted Journalist of the Year.
In a Q&A, Georgia tells us about her big wins, imposter syndrome, campervans and spaniels.
Picture credit: Andy Barr
How was 2023 for you work-wise?
It was very busy. When I first moved up it was quite clear that the SNP were starting to factionalise. That wasn't too obvious from the outside: I did a story about SNP MSPs who had gathered in an Edinburgh restaurant and started to discuss whether Nicola Sturgeon was the right person to lead the party. Those voices were starting to get stronger, so it was an amazing time to be in Scotland, as the iron-fisted rule of the SNP began to unravel. I felt grateful to be part of it and I have always felt as if Scotland is home - my granny is from Aberdeen.
The SNP investigation started to heat up and the campervan story was part of that. Although we don’t know the outcome of that investigation it felt like a seismic time in Scottish politics.
Personally, however, it was a really difficult year. I was in hospital for two months with a health issue. I was able to win these awards because of my colleagues supporting me to work at the rate I was. I am learning every day from those colleagues. I suffer quite a lot from imposter syndrome. I'm surrounded by incredible journalists in the lobby, some of the best in the country and the UK. There’s a funny feeling where you think: “Do I deserve this?”, but you have to take the wins as they come.
Tell us how your SNP campervan scoop came to be?
There had been rumours swirling for some time in Holyrood that a vehicle might have been part of the police investigation. I put my reporter hat on: I’m political editor but I love getting out and about. I don’t spend my time in the lobby and press gallery - I prefer to be a proper reporter on the ground. It was old school door knocking until I got what I needed. It is a good lesson for young journalists coming up - social media can be a great source of stories but we write for human beings and we depend on speaking to human beings.
How did you feel the day before the story broke?
I didn’t know the story would be that big. We treated it as we would any other story, with the same attention and care. It was only when the front pages went out at about 10pm that there was an instant response on social media and the comparison with Breaking Bad. It was when it became memeified that I realised it had penetrated the public consciousness. I am probably quite a boring journalist in that I don’t chase the buzz, I chase the story.
What are the ingredients of a good story?
Number one it has to have human interest. People have to understand it and it must be about people. With politics it can be easy to stray into the granular detail of process and policy. That has its place, but I set myself the task of asking what impact will that policy have on readers, and how can I translate that?
One of the mistakes the SNP has made with the Michael Matheson [iPad bill scandal] story is that they say it is a bubble story [that only journalists care about]. But hard-working people know if they had taken £11,000 from their employer there would be deep consequences. Knowing Michael Matheson would get away with it riles people up and creates a divide between politicians and the public. It is unjust. So the story has to resonate with real people.
In terms of what ingredients make good journalism more generally, then working against injustice. Recently I have been working with a colleague in London on an autism campaign. It is Victorian that autistic people are locked away and are not part of the community because [local authorities] don't have the funds. I have a relative with autism: the idea that they would be in an institution is abhorrent. Take away the job title and I am Georgia who has friends and family. I am not writing for me, I am writing for readers, but of course you are influenced by your own experiences in life.
Finally, my former news editor Andy Beavan used to say that as long as a story has humans or animals then we’re fine. In the first piece I had published aged 21 I managed to get spaniels and genocide in the intro. He said that was the perfect recipe.
How do you wind down from breaking a big story?
I do a lot of meditation. And I spend time with friends who are supportive and have nothing to do with journalism!
How do you build contacts?
I don’t have any fear in that regard - I will ask to meet contacts for coffee or lunch. That can be a big hurdle for some journalists but if you don’t ask you don’t get. Some days you might be rejected but then you might get a contact for life. I make sure [my relationship with contacts] is not wholly transactional. I really care about them and their lives and hopefully they care about mine. I understand if something goes wrong - the number of people I’ve spoken to who support independence, for instance, and I say I’m sorry this is happening and I know it’s not great for you. I try my best to be as open and kind as possible. It is just as important to nurture contacts and it is to get them.
After a story has gone it takes seconds to message someone to thank them for their time. As journalists we are nothing without our sources and the people who trust us to investigate what they think is important.
What advice would you give young journalists looking to get into the industry?
Whatever the universities say, learn shorthand! I use it every day. Learn how to drive - I know there's a financial pressure there, but a number of newspapers require it. Social media is a treasure trove but our role as journalists has slightly shifted over time to be fact checkers, so it is our job to ensure what we write is correct and true. You need to stand everything up.
Don’t neglect speaking to real people. Some of my best stories have come in that way. The industry has changed - turnaround time is now tighter - but if you take the time to speak to someone and engage with them properly then stories will come naturally. Have faith: if you know something is a really good story but you’ve got 10 more stories to turn around that day then politely ask your editor if you can take some time to work on the good one. Those big stories that need more time are so important - and they're everywhere - but we need the time to approach them. I think any editor would be impressed by someone asking to take time for a real story.
Know yourself and what your values are and keep checking in with yourself. Our industry is fast paced, exciting and exhilarating, but make sure you put in the time to nurture yourself.