SPA Student Media Awards

A student journalist, writing for the Badger - the University’s student newspaper - has been selected as one of five winners in the Student Publication Association’s  ‘Best of Student Media’ awards for 2015.

Will Saunders, whose article ‘SU President Pays for 200m Paper Delivery’ was chosen out of over 200 entrants, said of his award:

"I feel honoured that my article has come second, but it's a fantastic example of how successful the Badger can be, in reporting news that matters to students of the University of Sussex."

In an announcement on their website, the SPA, which represents student publications and journalists across the UK, said of the winning Badger article:

“If you’re having a bad day today, you need this story in your life. Quite simply, this is what student journalism is about.”

With more than 200 entries spanning 12 months, the SPA competition was hotly contested. After a shortlist of 20 stories was announced earlier this month, a selection of stories – including Will’s – were chosen as the five winners. All will receive prizes to be presented at a forthcoming SPA event.

However, Will’s article wasn’t the only one from Sussex to be recognised by the national organisation.

Mark Tovey, member of the news team and third year Economics student, was also shortlisted with his article ‘Anarchist Pickets End after Estate Agents Return Deposit’.

Clearly delighted for the success of the student newspaper, he said:

"We have outdone both Oxford and Cambridge in this achievement: only one article from each of those universities was shortlisted for this prestigious Student Publication Association award.”

An achievement indeed, and something which is shared throughout the newspaper’s’ wider team.

Pete Humphreys, member of the Badger news team and third year Philosophy and English student, said:

"2015 was a great year for the Badger, and it's fantastic to see the SPA recognising our stories, alongside some other great articles from student newspapers around the country.”

The awards were judged by former Sussex student and Badger journalist Aubrey Allegretti, now of the Huffington Post; Jem Collins of Politics.co.uk; Sian Elvin of The Sevenoaks Chronicle; Jon May of Royal Holloway Student’s Union; Zaki Dogliani of Wonkhe; and Hannah Mylrea of Experience Oxfordshire.