Belfast Telegraph - Visuals Team

Throughout the year, the Belfast Telegraph visuals team has adeptly maneuvered through the intricate landscape of Northern Ireland's breaking news and political sphere. We have fearlessly addressed stories entwined with paramilitaries, venturing into realms that others hesitate to explore. As the primary team willing to shine a light into the darkest of corners, we've brought pivotal narratives to the forefront, often considered too dangerous for others to undertake. Our proficiency in visual storytelling not only encapsulates the essence of these important events but also acts as a guiding beacon, offering the Northern Ireland public an unfiltered view into realities that might otherwise remain veiled. Through unwavering dedication, our compact team of three has exemplified an unyielding commitment to journalistic principles, amplifying unheard voices and foregrounding the most consequential stories despite inherent risks.

Our coverage of the UVF and RUFF feud in Newtownards, stands as an emblem of our commitment. We based our team in the area operating from vehicles, we seamlessly utilised police and community sources, often arriving at incidents prior to emergency services, offering live updates via Twitter and the Belfast Telegraph website. This invaluable coverage bridged gaps in an area gripped by fear, offering video and pictorial insights, alongside collaborations with our news colleagues dispelling any rumour and exposing criminal elements who were active in the area. We stood face to face with the most dangerous in our society and asked them why? we confronted them in their own area and comfort zone. Additionally, our team has been pivotal in providing uninterrupted breaking news coverage. For instance, our swift response and comprehensive coverage of the Omagh police officer shooting in February showcased our ability to be first on the scene, producing impactful visual content well ahead of other outlets. A significant triumph was witnessed in May, wherein our team expanded temporarily to 12 members, training reporters for live on-camera reporting during the elections. The extended visuals team delivered 74 update videos across two days from various count centres enriching our comprehensive coverage on social media and the Belfast Telegraph website. This comprehensive approach, encompassing graphics, imagery, and live reports, ensured a holistic and dynamic package for our readers while also delivering over 740,000 video views in 48 hours. Our three-member team at the Belfast Telegraph visuals department stands unrivalled in Northern Ireland's news landscape, particularly in our capacity for breaking and live news coverage. No other news team in the region can match our agility, precision, and dedication in delivering real-time updates and comprehensive coverage of unfolding events daily to our community. Despite our small size, our team has consistently outperformed larger news entities, excelling in capturing the essence of breaking stories, providing live updates, and engaging audiences with timely and impactful journalism. Our unmatched ability to be first on the scene, produce diverse and engaging content, and maintain an unwavering commitment to journalistic excellence solidifies our position as the foremost source for breaking and live news coverage in Northern Ireland.