IT might be one of the last few years that we’ll be eligible to enter – fingers crossed! – but The National has been nominated for a UK National Press Award.
We’re the only Scottish newspaper to be on a shortlist for the awards that recognise the best journalism of 2016, in the Front of the Year category. We had a few cracking covers last year, but the one we submitted featured Michael Gove cutting the strings of Boris Johnson and gatecrashing the former Mayor of London’s Tory leadership bid.
We’re up against some really strong opposition.
The Daily Mirror’s Statue of Liberty with her head in her hands is our favourite of the rest – and the Times and Sunday Times front pages on Brexit and the death of Muhammed Ali feature some great design.
The i newspaper are nominated for their front page on the tragic death of Jo Cox and the Daily Mail is recognised for their “Take a bow, Britain!” declaration of Brexit success.
Editor Callum Baird explains how the concept of our nominated front page developed during a conversation with our Photoshop wizard – and award-winning landscape photographer – Damian Shields.
“We started off this concept about how Gove was a puppet master who’d played Boris for a fool and had ruthlessly cut his strings once he had no further use for him. Then it occurred to us that Boris had been left dangling helpless once before.
“Once we put two ideas together, Damian got to work on the artwork. It’s actually my hand holding the scissors in the photo – we got a few strange looks in the office when we were taking the pictures.”
Wish us luck!
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We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
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The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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