The Victoria News has been named the best all-round newspaper of its circulation size in the country by the Canadian Community Newspaper Association.
“This award speaks to the talent of our team — the writers, designers, photographer, sales team and distribution staff, everyone right down to the people who deliver the Victoria News to our readers' doorsteps,” said Black Press group publisher Penny Sakamoto. “It shows our readers and advertisers that we have the highest of standards.”
Judges looked at two issues from March and October 2015, and judged each newspaper on the range of coverage, editorial design, quality of writing, photography, typography, advertising and layout, and the front and editorial pages.
Rounding out the list for best all-round newspaper in the 12,500 to 24,999 circulation size was the Peninsula News Review in Sidney, a Black Press sister paper, and the Flamborough Review in Waterdown, Ontario.
“I'm thrilled that we won this prestigious award. Clearly is speaks volumes to our team and responsible community reporting,” said Victoria News publisher Mike Cowan. “We have the honour of being the newspaper here in what I believe is the greatest community in Canada.”
The Oak Bay News also came in third in the outstanding community service category, while the Lookout Newspaper at CFB Esquimalt came second in the best Canadian Forces Base newspaper category.
The Canadian Community Newspaper Awards is a national awards program that celebrates excellence in community publishing from coast to coast with more than 80 categories in best in editorial, photographer and multimedia initiatives.
There are more than 830 daily, weekly and community newspapers throughout Canada that are a part of the Canadian Newspaper Association and the Canadian Community Newspapers Association.