Fred Ryan
The finalists for Quebec’s community newspaper awards for 2015 have been announced, and the Pontiac Journal has had its best year ever. The awards are given every year by the Quebec Community Newspaper Association from
among their thirty-plus member newspapers.
Fred Ryan
The finalists for Quebec’s community newspaper awards for 2015 have been announced, and the Pontiac Journal has had its best year ever. The awards are given every year by the Quebec Community Newspaper Association from
among their thirty-plus member newspapers.
The top three nominations in each category saw the Journal share 16 finalists’ positions with its sister newspaper, the Bulletin d’Aylmer.
The ranking of the three nominations – first, second, and third – will be revealed at the newspaper association’s annual awards gala in early June, in Montreal.
The QCNA groups community newspapers from all areas of the province, and includes three First Nation papers, a Greek monthly,
several bilingual publications like the Pontiac Journal, and, finally, many English-only papers.
Newspapers from West Quebec did very well in the nominations, with the Low Down to Hull & Back, Wakefield, leading the pack, which includes the West Quebec Post and the Shawville Equity. With the Journal and the Bulletin high in
finalists, West Quebec can be pleased with its newspaper
coverage, exceeding all other regions and matching Montreal.
“Best Over All” Newspaper
In the nine “Best Overall Newspaper” categories, the Journal took a record five finalist positions, including the finalist for Best Newspaper in Quebec (competing with Montreal’s Suburban, and the Low Down); the Journal’s other
finalist kudos are for Best Editorial Page, Best Special Section, Best Community Newspaper Promotion, and Best Over-all Ad.
Best writing
The Journal and its sister Bulletin took seven finalist positions for
individual writing awards. The Journal’s English-language editor, Allyson Beauregard is a finalist in both Best Editorial categories, a rare feat. French-language editor Arnaud de la Salle is a finalist in the Best French editorial category. In the writers’ awards, the Journal and Bulletin share finalists in Best Arts
& Entertainment, Best French Language News Story, Best Environmental Story with ex-publisher Fred Ryan winning an honourable mention for Best Business Column.
Journalist Laurent Robillard-Cardinal won 4 writing nominations for his work appearing in the Journal and Bulletin.
Other notable finalist positions for the Pontiac Journal include Best Photo Essay, by Jesse Clouthier and Bonnie Zimmerling, Best Editorial Cartoon, by Jesse Clouthier, with the Bulletin winning a finalist nod for Best Feature Photo and Graphic Design Excellence (Ad Creation).
The Journal’s manager, Lynne Lavery, commented that the Journal has never done so well in the awards, which shows, she said, “excellent teamwork” and “a
willingness to work together for the benefit of all Journal readers”. She noted: “It doesn’t really matter whether we bring home a first place in all the categories we have been nominated in, although that would be really thrilling. What matters is that we have been recognized by our peers for our hard work. This
alone is a big accomplishment.” Co-Publisher Lily Ryan remarked that the Pontiac must feel proud to be so well-served by its local media.
“If this is the information age,” she commented, “Pontiac is well-equipped for the future with its Journal.”
