Bristol’s independent news website Bristol24-7 has been commended in the national Online Media Awards, putting it alongside some of the world’s most-visited news sites.
The recognition in the prestigious awards comes less than three years after it was launched by former Western Daily Press journalist Chris Brown.
Bristol 24-7, which can now boast nearly 63,000 unique visitors a month and has a content sharing arrangement with Bristol Business News, was shortlisted in the Best Local News Website category, competing against sites run by established newspapers such as the Lancashire Telegraph, Liverpool Echo, Manchester Evening News and South Wales Argus, and specialist sites such as Northcliffe’s Thisiscornwall.co.uk, The Business Desk – Yorkshire, and Leedsstudent.org. The award was won by the Belfast Telegraph.
Now in their second year, the Online Media Awards seek to recognise the best in online news and journalism. The were staged at Arsenal FC’s Emirates Stadium in North London.
Some of the world’s leading websites, including The Huffington Post, The Guardian, The Times, BBC, Sunday Times, Mail Online, Reuters and Wall Street Journal were among the nominees.
Awards founder Gordon Young said it was encouraging to see smaller sites reaping the rewards for their efforts.
“This year’s awards attracted many major national and international media brands all of whom are really pushing the boundaries of online journalism.
“What is also encouraging to see is that not only the major media brands are winning these awards, but smaller brands are also proving that when it comes to great online journalism it is not always who has the deepest pockets that wins.”
The Guardian was named as Website of the Year and MailOnline won the Chairman’s Award.
Chris Brown said: “I’m really proud that Bristol24-7 has been mentioned in the same breath as some of the world’s greatest news websites, and the work that has gone into it has been recognised by industry leaders from around the world.
“There is still a huge amount of work to do to keep building it and improving it, but Bristol24-7 is here to stay.”
For more great Bristol news go to www.bristol247.com
