City AM's Steve Dinneen Wins Features Writer of the Year at Regional Press Awards
City AM's magazine editor Steve Dinneen has been awarded the prestigious Features Writer of the Year title at the Regional Press Awards, triumphing over competitors including LondonCentric, the Manchester Evening News, and Reach PLC. The accolade highlights his exceptional contributions to modern journalism.
A Celebration of Lively and Imaginative Journalism
The judges praised Dinneen's work, describing him as "a great example of what modern journalism should be: lively, imaginative and distinctive." They noted that his sense of enjoyment is palpable in his writing, underscoring the quality that set him apart in the competition.
Three of Dinneen's features were considered for the prize:
- Tracking down the author of an AI-generated pitch about warring chicken shops to rural Nairobi.
- Checking in for an overnight stay at the world's most expensive old folks' home.
- Attempting to set a record for eating the world's hottest chillies.
Dinneen's Reaction and Insights
Upon receiving the award, Dinneen expressed his thrill and humility. "I'm thrilled to have won Features Writer of the Year," he said. "There were some very talented people in the room writing some very important stories so it was humbling to be chosen." He attributed his success to genuine curiosity, dogged determination, and a love of putting words in a nice order, though he joked about regretting eating so many chillies during one of his features.
Recognition from City AM Leadership
City AM chief executive Harry Owen congratulated Dinneen, calling it "amazing news" and noting that it was "really well deserved for 16 years of great features!" Editor Christian May added that the award was "thoroughly well deserved," reflecting the high regard within the organization.
Steve Dinneen is one of City AM's longest-serving staff members, with over 16 years at the company. He serves as the Life&Style editor of the newspaper and editor of The Magazine, which is preparing to publish its 90th issue under his leadership.
Other Winners at the Regional Press Awards
The awards ceremony also honored other journalists across various categories:
- Aoife Moore from The Irish News won Opinion Writer of the Year.
- Sam McBride from the Belfast Telegraph was named Daily Reporter of the Year.
- Ben Roberts-Haslam from the Liverpool Echo received Young Reporter of the Year.
- Scoop of the Year went to "Top cop quits amid probe into 'Affairs'" by the Southern Daily Echo.
- Front Page of the Year was awarded to the Birmingham Mail for its fond farewell to Ozzy Osborne.
In addition, City AM's The Magazine was shortlisted for Supplement of the Year, reaching the final four in that category, further showcasing the publication's excellence in regional journalism.
