Algonquin Times print and digital editions were named the top 2018 campus newspaper in the province for the second year in a row by the Ontario Community Newspapers Association.
It’s the second consecutive year the Times has been awarded the honour. The Times had also earlier this year been named tops in the campus class in Canada last year as well.
The student newspaper is co-produced by Algonquin College’s Journalism and Advertising and Marketing Communications Management students.
The awards were announced April 5 at the OCNA’s annual conference in Vaughan, Ontario.
The judge based her decision on submitted issues from Oct. 5, 2017 and March 8, 2018, citing the adherence to campus content as the most significant factor for the win.
“Love the focus on local content, pertinent to Algonquin College readers,” said judge Pamela Steel, managing editor, Metroland Media, Muskoka and Parry Sound. “Well done! It is the strength of local content that makes this paper a winner.”
The judge chose Niagara News (Niagara College) for second place and Humber Et Cetera (Humber College) third. Overall, Steel said of the entries, “It was inspiring to have the honour of judging the work of the next generation of journalists. The energy, insight and sheer talent in these pages is something to celebrate.”
As for the Times’ online edition, judge Mark Gentili, managing editor of Sudbury Northern Life, said “Any community would be happy to have algonquintimes.ca as their community news source. It contains well written and timely stories. This is a j-school class that has obviously been plugged into the on-campus community and the wider world beyond and made coverage a priority. The site has a strong opinion section, with a wide variety of opinions on a wide variety of topics. All in all, a very useful site for students and readers, and a good breeding ground for reporters.”
Second year journalism student Karine Beaulieu was also named runner-up in the Student Photography category, with a front page photo she shot of Canadian country singer Brett Kissell at his concert in March of 2018 (image below), performed at the Algonquin College Theatre.
Judge Heather Wright, publisher of the Petrolia Independent, said “Karine Beaulieu brings us right into the front row…and the view is great. Beautiful clear shot.”
The annual competition judges overall quality of the paper and the website, including writing, research, advertising content, layout and design, photography and news and feature content. This is the third time in five years the Times won first prize in the competition.