PinkNews wins big at prestigious AOP Digital Publishing Awards
PinkNews has won big at the AOP Digital Publishing Awards 2022. (Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images)
PinkNews has won Best Use of Video and was highly commended for Editorial Team of the Year: Consumer at the AOP Digital Publishing Awards for its unrivalled LGBTQ+ journalism.
The UK’s Association of Online Publishers (AOP), which represents British digital publishing companies, celebrated the industry’s top talent at the Digital Publishing Awards 2022 on Wednesday (15 June) – and that included PinkNews.
The judge’s jury, made up of media experts, said they were “impressed” by the LGBTQ+ news outlet’s use of Snapchat to tell vital stories for the community, by the community, in a creative and accessible way.
Among the many shows on offer, plaudits were given to the Snapchat show the Queer Catch-Up which rounds up the biggest headlines that readers need to know.
“The jury were impressed by how the team at PinkNews overcame logistical challenges to deliver much-needed positive coverage of LGBTQ+ issues, with highly creative content showcasing inspiring stories via Snapchat,” AOP judges said.
And PinkNews‘ editorial content, which included in-depth coverage of how the Taliban take-over of Afghanistan threw LGBTQ+ people into jeopardy, received a big nod from the panel.
“The passion of the PinkNews editorial team shone through their entry,” the panel said.
The AOP awarded PinkNews with Best Use of Video. (AOP)
“The jury were impressed by the small team’s achievements, and by their ability to be nimble and apply their strong understanding of their audience to their campaigning journalism.”
This year has seen LGBTQ+ rights in Britain and beyond face unprecedented attacks. Boris Johnson’s government has excluded trans people from its life-saving conversion therapy ban and LGBTQ+ migrants risk being deported to Rwanda as part of a controversial immigration scheme.
And every step of the way PinkNews has sought to hold elected officials to account and counter the viciously transphobic narrative spewed by a transphobic press. Speaking with activists, experts >and even those within government to challenge the attempts to turn LGBTQ+ rights – trans rights especially – into a soulless culture war.
Beyond Britain, PinkNews has dived into how the hundreds of anti-trans bills sweeping US state legislators will threaten the lives of ordinary trans families.
In Afghanistan, the Taliban seizing control of the nation forced countless queer people to flee – and PinkNews sought to help give them a voice.
PinkNews also spoke to LGBTQ+ people who fled – or chose to stay and fight – Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.
PinkNews’ editorial team was highly commended by judges. (AOP)
During World Aids Day, PinkNews provided varied and robust coverage on how the virus has changed the world. People living with HIV dispelled lingering myths around the virus, while HIV advocates told PinkNews how HIV is not the death sentence it once was.
PinkNews CEO Benjamin Cohen said: “PinkNews exists to inform, inspire change and empower people to be themselves with content that is genuinely authentic across multiple touch points.
“The content we produce across our platforms has never been more vital than it is right now and we are honoured to have this recognised by the Association of Online Publishers.
“The Queer Catch-Up on Snapchat is just one of our shows that are being watched by tens of millions of young people each week and we take pride in bringing the stories that matter to the LGBTQ+ community on a global scale.”
PinkNews also won big at the Drum Awards in May, taking home the top prize of Editorial Team of the Year.
But there may be even more to come. PinkNews has also been nominated in this year’s Digiday Media Awards for Editorial Team of the Year, Media Brand of the Year and Publishing Executive of the Year for CEO Benjamin Cohen.
In the Digiday Media Europe Awards, the outlet has been tapped for Best use of Video the Queer Catch-Up, Editorial Team of the Year, Publisher of the Year and Publishing Executive of the Year for chief product officer Sarah Watson.
Winners will be announced virtually 30 June.
