The Richmond News is proud to have a pair of reporters who have been recognized in a two journalism award competitions for their fine work.
Longtime News reporter Alan Campbell is among the finalists in the B.C. and Yukon Community Newspaper Association's Ma Murray Awards for his Friday Feature stories in the News' Nov. 8, 2013 edition focusing on the plight of Japanese-Canadians interned during the Second World War and the effect it had on the community of Steveston.
Campbell's stories are nominated in the Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Neville Shanks Memorial Award for Historical Writing category.
"It's not easy pulling these Friday Features off week after week, but the feedback from the readers has been fantastic, so we're encouraged to keep on producing them," Campbell said. "The features take a lot of time, planning and energy from everyone in the newsroom, so it's great to see them getting some recognition."
Campbell added there were some special considerations to be aware of when approaching the story.
"With this one in particular, we took a little bit of a risk, as we're aware how sensitive Remembrance Day can be for so many people," he said. "But we felt it was a story that deserved to be told, and I'd like to thank the Japanese community in Richmond for allowing me to share their experiences with our readers."
The 2014 awards will be presented at a gala event at the River Rock Casino Resort on April 26.
Wood, who joined the News last year, earned a second place award in the Canadian Community Newspaper Awards' Best Agricultural Story category for his Friday Feature titled "A growing concern."
Wood's story, which appeared in the Dec. 6, 2013 edition, is a provocative look at the link between culture and agriculture in Richmond where some worry the commitment to agriculture will erode given the rise in the new immigrant population that may not share those same values.
"I'm certainly honoured the story was recognized," said Wood, who graduated from UBC's political science program in 2005 and Langara College's journalism program in 2008.
"There is a massive divide in this city as a result of rapid immigration. What drew me to this story is the fact that people ultimately need to work together to find solutions. Everyone needs to eat and everyone wants to stay healthy, so what better way of bridging that divide than with food? The work Colin Dring, Claudia Li and other environmentalists are doing is valuable for the city in so many ways."
The awards will be handed out May 29 during the INK+BEYOND conference in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
