The Liverpool Echo scooped a huge honour at the Regional Press Awards.
The prestigious awards, organised by the Society of Editors, took place on Wednesday, March 8 at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge. The event celebrates the pinnacle of the UK's thriving and influential local journalism.
The ECHO was awarded Large News Brand of the Year 2023 and political editor, Liam Thorp, was highly commended in the specialist journalist of the year category. The paper was acknowledged for its Whose Side Are You On campaign following the devastating death of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, who was gunned down in her own home.
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Whose Side Are You On was inspired by a Voice of the Echo opinion column and interpreted as a powerful front page, a direct appeal to newsletter subscribers and a video shared on TikTok, Facebook and Twitter. The campaign placed The ECHO at the heart of the call for people to do the right thing and share information.
There was praise from peers and gratitude from Merseyside Police’s Chief Constable, politicians and readers who thanked The ECHO for giving them a voice. The ECHO's coverage of the 2022 Champions League Final, where Liverpool FC fans were falsely blamed for chaos ahead of and after kick off, was also commended.
Maria Breslin, editor of The ECHO said: "I'm immensely proud of the Liverpool Echo editorial team and extremely pleased to see our journalists' hard work and dedication recognised. I know how passionate they are about delivering the trusted news our readers and online audience expect and deserve."
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