Building journalist picks up two gongs at press awards

Building’s assistant editor Will Hurst has picked up two top gongs at the annual International Building Press awards.

Hurst picked up both the news reporter and feature writer of the year awards, with the judges praising in particular his campaigning journalism on the issue of blacklisting in the construction industry.

The judges said it was really encouraging to see that campaigning journalism continued to flourish, which showed journalists are still passionate about principles and standards.

Of Hurst’s news reporting, the judges said: “If there is one thing a democratic society should always abhor, it is the arbitrary exclusion of people, for unexplained reasons, from job opportunities that should be available for all.

“Will’s three pieces demonstrated the fundamental importance of a free press in sustaining democracy and the rule of law.”

Of his feature writing, the judges praised Hurst’s painstaking investigative research into the Building Industry’s controversial blacklist issues; the fall out from the scandal; the human effects, and what should be done in the future.

This is the second year in a row Building journalists have won both the news and feature gongs at the IBP awards.