The Creemore Echo has won four awards at the Ontario Community Newspapers Association’s 2024 Better Newspaper Competition, announced at a gala awards presentation in Niagara- on-the-Lake on April 11.
The competition received more than 689 entries in 57 categories from 58 different newspapers.
The Echo’s investigative news story about rock climbing at Devil’s Glen Provincial Park entitled Climbing access in ‘protection areas’ granted without explanation published in February 2024 won first place in the environment writing category and second place in the investigative news category.
One judge said, “This is an excellent example of what a dedicated community journalist using Freedom of Information (FOI) tools can do: illuminating a land-use conflict and questionable behind-the-scenes government behaviour.”
Another commented, “The Ontario government has a poor reputation when it comes to protecting the environment. [Trina] Berlo’s story is yet another example of this. Through strong investigative work that included a FOI request and an appeal to the province’s privacy commissioner, the story highlighted the behind-the-scenes work done to add additional climbing in Devil’s Glen Provincial Plan. The records showed bureaucrats at Ontario Parks followed the management plan, but when the minister’s office became involved, following provincial policy fell to the wayside. This is a terrific example of patience in reporting, thoroughness and not giving up when running into roadblocks on an issue in the community.”
Additionally, an article about Stayner band Lucy Jinx and its auto songwriting method earned The Echo a third place in the arts and entertainment category.
“Trina Berlo comes in third for her courage in describing how a local band uses automatic songwriting to create their music. It’s not an easy process to encapsulate and yet she does it well. Her interview with the band members also piques interest in the upcoming concert,” said the judge.
The Echo also took third place for its In House Promotion ad campaign We deliver.
The full page ads ran last spring during The Echo’s annual subscription campaign.
