Belfast Telegraph

The quality of the Belfast Telegraph’s journalistic output is not in any doubt – but translating that into a seamless online experience is a feat that has eluded many rivals. Regional Press Awards judges were hugely impressed by the way the title had taken strong and authoritative local journalism into a digital platform, and the range of stories that were represented on the site. That is borne out in the stats, with the Belfast Telegraph building a sustainable news model through the consistent quality of its work. Despite a crowded market for paid-for news in Northern Ireland, the brand attracted more than 11,000 digital-only subscribers since launching its paywall at the height of the first Covid lockdown three years ago. The paper, judges said, “is calm and ordered in an increasingly vibrant digital age with an excellent user experience.” They commented on the “nice local feel to the website” but reserved particular praise for the mobile experience, which presents news, sport, business podcasts and more in a particularly useable and customised way.