GEORGE NEWS - George Herald is home to the 2025 Avbob Forum of Community Journalists (FCJ) Journalist of the Year!
This prestigious title was awarded to our very own senior journalist, Michelle Pienaar, at The Capital Menlyn Maine in Pretoria on Friday 21 August.
Pienaar's outstanding achievement was among the highlights of the 2026 FCJ Awards, where journalists and publications from across the country were recognised for excellence in community journalism. She also secured second place for digital reporting, third for mobile photography, third for headlines and second for local government/municipal reporting.
Three Group Editors publications, George Herald, Mossel Bay Advertiser and Knysna-Plett Herald, were among the award winners. George Herald's news editor, Kristy Ayliffe, was named the winner in mobile photography and placed fourth in story of the year.
The paper was further recognised with second place for the best sold newspaper.
For Mossel Bay Advertiser, editor Louise Karsten was placed second in editorial comment and columns, while the newspaper took second place for best back page and fourth place for best newspaper.
Knysna-Plett Herald editor Wyndham Ewerts placed second in headlines and fourth in editorial comment and columns, while Suid-Kaap Forum took second place in the free newspaper category.
The competition received just over 600 entries this year, with participants showcasing exemplary work across 17 categories.
The adjudication process was overseen by Dr André Gouws of Akademia.
"This year's competition reflects a healthy and evolving community newspaper sector. The judging panel congratulates all entrants and hopes that the feedback they will receive will encourage even greater excellence in the years ahead," he said.
Previous articles:
Michelle Pienaar accepted Kristy Ayliffe’s best mobile photography award on her behalf, from Stellenbosch University’s media manager, Martin Viljoen.
Group Editors CEO Servaas de Kock, Mossel Bay Advertiser editor Louise Karsten, George Herald journalist Michelle Pienaar, Knysna-Plett Herald editor Wyndham Ewerts and Group Editors layout artist Lelani Möller.
Layout artist Lelani Möller accepted Mossel Bay Advertiser's award for second place for best back page from Avbob CEO Eugene Strauss.
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