Comment Journalism

This category recognises the best comment journalist of the year. The judges are looking for the most incisive comment which has brought new ideas and thinking to bear when discussing a matter of public interest.

For print/online entries, please provide up to three examples of work. Broadcasters can submit up to three clips or one entire programme in support of their entry. A supporting statement of up 500 words must also be included. Collaborative entries are accepted. Work should have been published between 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2024 and aimed at a UK audience.

WINNERS

Duncan Robinson

— The Economist

- British boomers are losing out for the first time

- Why the next Westminster scandal is already here

- The narcissism of minor differences, Labour Party edition

Duncan Robinson of The Economist picks up the Comment Journalism prize from Jeremy Vine and judge Richard Caseby at the British Journalism Awards 2024. Picture: ASV Photography/Press Gazette

The judges said Robinson was “absolutely on the money on freebies long before the rest of the media, particularly Keir Starmer’s declarations. He exemplifies the fine art of balanced commentary.”

Matthew Holehouse

– The Economist

The judges said: “This writer has provided unrivalled and influential coverage of the undercurrents driving the Conservative Party’s languishing poll ratings.”

Camilla Long

The Sunday Times

The judges said Long was “one of the must-read writers of the week as her work is “honest, funny and original”.

Camilla Long of The Sunday Times picks up the Interviewer of the Year award at the British Journalism Awards 2022 from Dominic Young of Axate, Roz MacKenzie of PA Training, and Jeremy Vine. Picture: ASV Photography Ltd for Press Gazette

Marina Hyde

The Guardian

The judges said: “At a time when people are terrified of being thought offensive, Marina Hyde skewers her targets with a fluent savagery.”

British Journalism Award winner Marina Hyde with Jeremy Vine and awards judge Richard Caseby

Marina Hyde

The Guardian

• Marcus Rashford is showing our failing politicians how to do their jobs

• The truth about why Cummings hasn’t gone: Johnson is too terrified to sack him

• When Johnson says we’ll turn the tide in 12 weeks, it’s just another line for the side of a bus

The judges said: “This is the second year Marina has taken the prize for comment journalism. Her work is sheer joy. The one must-read of the weekend. Surreal times need sometimes surreal writing. The writing may seem flippant, but it is perfect for this period of politics.”

Marina Hyde

Guardian News & Media

• Welcome to the Westminster apocalypse. Have you thought about theocracy instead?

• Poor Prince Andrew is ‘appalled’ by Epstein. Let that be an end to it

• Dazed and confused, Johnson stumbles into the twilight zone with a police escort

Judges said: “Hyde is clever, innovative and consistently on the ball. She always finds a different way of covering the same subject that everyone else is looking and makes for compulsive reading.”