Overheard on awards night: The proof some of those in the established media still sneer at GB News
The British Journalism Awards took place on Thursday
PRESS GAZETTE
Every so often I get a reminder: It doesn't matter what we do at GB News, there will always be those in the industry who dislike us simply for daring to do things differently.
On Thursday night, myself and other journalists and media executives from across the industry gathered in the ballroom of the Hilton Bankside in London for what is undoubtably one of the biggest media awards evenings of the year.
An incredible range of journalism from across the spectrum was shortlisted for the 30 awards available on the night. GB News was there, with our own journalism recognised. Nigel Farage and his team of brilliant producers had been shortlisted for Scoop of the Year after shining a light on the debanking scandal in the summer.
It was a tough category, with each of those on the shortlist having produced an example of fine journalism. Sadly, Nigel missed out on winning, beaten by the tremendous work of The Times, who exposed how British Gas debt agents were breaking into the homes of the vulnerable to “force-fit” pre-pay energy meters.
Nigel Farage was shortlisted for Scoop of the Year
PRESS GAZETTE
It was a shocking story and a worthy winner. And it is a great achievement that at just two and a half years old, we at GB News are being recognised alongside the likes of far more established media outlets for our work.
And on the face of it, GB News and Nigel's journalism were treated the same as everyone else there that night.
But there was one conversation that evening which sadly exposed the sneering snobbery that some in the industry still treat us with.
It was a conversation I was not directly involved in, but one which I couldn't help but overhear.
Some of the GB News team at the British Journalism Awards
PRSS GAZETTE
Two people from another outlet - I'm fairly sure I know from where, but I won't say as I can't be certain - were stunned that they had failed to win more awards. We were half way through the night and they had won "just two of the nine" they had been shortlisted for. Pity them.
I wasn't planning to eavesdrop, but my ears pricked up when I heard the conversation turn its attention to Nigel's shortlisting for Best Scoop.
"Did you see Nigel Farage is shortlisted?," one of them asked their colleague.
The shocked reply came: "What, an award?"
The first went on to explain that it was "embarrassing" he was nominated for "the Coutts stuff" and rejected his journalism as "just going on GB News and moaning about his banking situation".
The two journalists scoffing at our work appeared to have forgotten the impact of Nigel's case.
It exposed huge problems with the banking sector, whereby politicians of all political persuasions were being rejected from opening accounts or having those already open shut down due to their views. It led to the CEO of Coutts and of its parent company NatWest being forced to quit over the fallout from the story. It led to ministers vowing to take action and change the law. It led to thousands of ordinary Britons speaking out about their own examples of debanking.
Hey, "debanking" was even shortlisted by Collins Dictionary for word of the year.
That's one hell of an impact from one story, and GB News' exclusive made headlines across the rest of the media for weeks.
As an organisation we are going from strength to strength, boasting surging TV viewing figures, phenomenal digital growth, and we've already taken the crown for the UK's largest commercial news station in terms of listeners.
That success doesn't happen by accident. It happens because we report on the news that really interests people across the UK.
You can't win everyone over, but it's a shame to be reminded as I was on Thursday that there are people in the media industry who will always turn their noses up at what we do.
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