The Inverness Courier’s Build the Bypass campaign is nominated for a top national award
The Inverness Courier has been nominated for the second year running for a top national award recognising its Build the Bypass campaign work on behalf of local communities.
The campaign is spearheaded by Nairnshire edition reporter Federica Stefani and was shortlisted by the News Media Association for its Making a Difference award – it won last year for the Dual the A9 campaign.
Making a Difference is a showcase of agenda-setting investigations, campaigns and scoops from national, regional and local news brands demonstrating the power of original news content.
The annual Making a Difference award sees members of the public vote for their favourite campaign from the past year during Journalism Matters week, the NMA’s campaign to highlight the immense value journalism creates for our society.
There are two categories: National Campaigns comprising the likes of The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun; and Regional & Local Campaigns including The Inverness Courier, The Northern Echo and others.
According to the nomination: “The campaign quickly gained traction, featuring in-depth interviews with residents, stakeholders and politicians.
“A pivotal moment came in May 2024, when the Courier organised a Build the Bypass public event in Nairn attended by Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop and leaders from Transport Scotland.
"The event provided a platform for residents to share their experiences and emphasise the severe impact of the bypass delay on their daily lives. In a significant development, Ms Hyslop announced that the government would proceed with the next steps, including the process of land purchase between Inverness and Nairn, and provided a preliminary timeline for the project.
“Since this event, the Inverness Courier has remained unwavering in its commitment to the campaign, continuing to report on accidents along the A96 and maintaining pressure on the government for updates and progress.
“The Courier is resolved to see the project through to completion, ensuring that the long-awaited bypass finally becomes a reality, enhancing safety, reducing congestion, and supporting the growth of the community of Nairn.”
