The Philippine Press Institute (PPI), the national association of newspapers and considered the oldest professional media organization in the country with some 61 members in its umbrella, named SunStar Pampanga the best edited newspaper in the daily category during the 2021 Civic Journalism Community Press Awards held at the Century Park Hotel in Manila on October 24, 2022.
The PPI awards-giving body conferred the top and coveted citation to SunStar Pampanga for its quality of writing and editing, headlining, photo editing, page layout and content in which it applies the principles of civic journalism like varied voices, impact on the community and follow-up stories, plus observing ethical and professional standards for the print media.
Overall, the body said the paper has excellent quality in its layout, design and content, with compelling stories that give readers the experience of enjoying both the narratives and visual story-telling in its main news pages and several sections like regional, national and world news, business, sports, lifestyle and features. More importantly, SunStar Pampanga was recognized for serving as an important voice and watchdog of the community during the critical days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Aside from being named best edited community newspaper of 2021, SunStar Pampanga was also a finalist and merit awardee in the categories of best in photojournalism; best in business and economic reporting; best in environment reporting and best editorial page (which it won in 2019) among the top three nominees which included SunStar Cebu and Mindanao Times.
SunStar Cebu received awards for best in photojournalism, best in business and economic reporting, and best editorial page, while Mindanao Times bagged the best in reporting on migration issues and best in environmental reporting awards.
For the weekly category, the winners were Baguio Chronicle, best in reporting for migration issues, best editorial page and best edited community paper; Metro Post -- best in photojournalism; Palawan News, best in environmental reporting; and Herald Express, best in business and economic reporting.
Launched in 1996, the annual Civic Journalism Community Press Awards aims to raise the standards of journalism in the countryside and seeks to honor print news organizations, not only for editorial excellence but also for their role as catalysts for community development.
This year's press awards was supported by Nickel Asia Corporation, Hanns Seidel Foundation, International Labour Organization, San Miguel Corporation, Century Park Hotel, PLDT Smart, International Container Terminal Services, Inc., SM Investments, Pagcor and SM Supermalls.