Student shortlisted for Wales Media Awards final

Aimee Thomas, 21, from Llanelli is a finalist in the 2016 Wales Media Awards. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The University of South Wales (USW) journalism student has been shortlisted in the Student Journalist of the year category after submitting two pieces produced in her first year of studies. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Her work focused on a court case surrounding the Lost Prophets singer Ian Watkins’ ex-girlfriend, Joanne Mjadzelics and a discussion from politician Owen Jones about the 2015 General Election. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The awards celebrate and promote journalism with a Welsh angle, created by journalists working in Wales. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Aimee said “It is an honour to be able to attend the Wales Media Awards, yet alone being a finalist. I am grateful for this amazing opportunity.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dr Rob Campbell, academic manager for broadcasting and journalism at USW, said: “The lecturers and fellow students are delighted for Aimee. There’s a new generation of flexible young journalists able to move at ease between media platforms and Aimee is a great ambassador for the ones who study at USW. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“She’s got this far against some stiff competition through her own determination to make the most of practical opportunities, such as working on live projects and placements and learning from the industry contacts with whom we work so closely to give students a real-world experience. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We wish her all the best with the awards.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The winner will be announced on March 4 at the Mercure Holland House Hotel, Cardiff. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​