The awards ceremony was held this evening at the London Hilton on Park Lane and hosted by journalist and novelist Tom Bradby.
Across the 20 categories, ITV led the way with eight wins including Camera Person of the Year, Emerging Young Talent of the Year and News Coverage – International for their investigation of the war in the Middle East. Following closely behind was the BBC with six awards, with its coverage of the Trump assassination attempt receiving the Breaking News award, and Guy Lynn winning the Nations and Regions Reporter of the Year.
The inaugural Digital Journalism award was presented to the BBC for its groundbreaking investigation into The Cult of TB Joshua, as the jury recognised the project’s effective strategy to deliver the story to a hard-to-reach audience. For 2025, the Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to ITV’s former Director of News and Current Affairs Michael Jermey to recognise his many career accomplishments, such as reinventing ITV’s News at Ten as a single presenter show and creating the broadcaster’s hour-long early evening news.
Adrian Wells, Chair of the RTS Television Journalism Awards, said: “This year’s winners of the RTS Television Journalism Awards demonstrate the best our incredibly strong industry can offer. Enterprise, bravery and originality are evident across all the categories, which this year have set a new benchmark in quality. News media organisations based in the UK are world-class in video journalism, and these awards are an incredible tribute to the journalists and organisations leading the broadcast video industry, whom the RTS is delighted to recognise and celebrate.”
For more information please visit: https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-television-journalism-awards-2025
Please see below the full list of winners and nominees:
Breaking News
WINNER – Trump Assassination Attempt BBC News for BBC News Channel
“While the jurors were surprised by how few entries there were for this year’s Breaking News category, they weren’t disappointed with the quality. From extraordinary pictures to incredible displays of cool, calm ‘on the ground’ reporting. When it came to the winner however, one entry stood out, or perhaps that should be – one reporter [Gary O’Donoghue]. Described as both a ‘star’ and ‘tour de force’ one juror summed this entry up as simply ‘a journalism masterclass’. Using his years of experience, this reporter asked just the right questions – not only for the audience, but also, to enable him to build himself a picture of the story that was breaking around him – one that was to become a defining moment in the US Presidential Election race.”
Nominees:
- Southport Stabbings Sky News
- Lebanon Pager Explosions – Reuters Video News Reuters Television News for Reuters Television
Camera Person of the Year
WINNER – Mohammed Abu Safia – ITV News ITN / ITV News for ITV
“The winner may lack formal training but his entry and body of work this year has delivered unforgettable images and incredible perspectives that the jury said were at times hard to watch but made you want to keep watching. The jury was blown away by his ability to live through and document events in Gaza with such accuracy, allowing the world to know what’s going on.”
Nominees:
- Fernanda Pesce The Associated Press
- Mohammed Salem Reuters Video News for Reuters Television
Current Affairs – Home
WINNER – Maternity: Broken Trust (Exposure) Pulse Films (part of VICE Studios Group) for ITV1 and ITVX
“Groundbreaking current affairs at its best – robust, assured, and transformatory – harnessing the power of courageous parents in the face of ‘serious and systemic failures’ in maternity care at Nottingham University Hospital Trust. A heartbreaking film with extraordinary access to the personal stories of families who had hoped for joy and found grief.”
Nominees:
- Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods BBC Current Affairs for BBC Two
- The Base: A British Army Scandal (Exposure) Clover Films for ITV1
Current Affairs – International
WINNER – Fault Lines – The Night Won’t End: Biden’s War on Gaza Al Jazeera English
“Amidst narratives of immense bravery and unfolding global crises, this film stood out for its exceptional journalism and expert analysis, which brought to life emotional raw footage.
Produced under challenging circumstances, it combined these elements with high production values to create a devastating, powerful, evidence based, deeply insightful documentary. This is a truly remarkable achievement in international reporting.”
Nominees:
- Gaza – Al Jazeera Investigations Al Jazeera
- Children of the Cult (Exposure) DM Productions for ITV1
Digital Journalism
WINNER – Disciples – The Cult of TB Joshua BBC Africa Eye, openDemocracy and BBC World Service Impact Team for BBC World Service
“The jury said that this was ‘outstanding storytelling’ which reached an audience known for news-avoidance. This was ‘strong journalism with tailoring for different digital platforms’, including six bespoke videos for TikTok, a first for the BBC. The judges praised the ‘effective strategy to deliver the story to a hard-to-reach audience’.”
Nominees:
- Lethal Restraint Online interactive The Associated Press / FRONTLINE (PBS) with The Howard Centers for Investigative Journalism
- BBC Verify BBC Verify for BBC News website and social platforms
Emerging Young Talent of the Year
WINNER – Sam Leader – ITV News ITN for ITV
“Sam is a very approachable presenter who really understands his audiences. He is technically extremely competent, bringing together excellent original journalism with multimedia skills. He brings emotion to his stories but has also been able to influence public policy. His piece on sextortion was chilling, while his exploration of the MAGA Boys in the USA helped explain Donald Trump’s success among young people in America. All in all a fabulous submission.”
Nominees:
- Cree-Summer Haughton – ITV News ITN for ITV
- Hind Khoudary Al Jazeera English
Nations and Regions Factual
WINNER – Catching a Killer: The Murder of Emma Caldwell – Disclosure BBC Scotland News for BBC One
“There was a clear winner in this category which the judges described as a masterclass of investigative journalism. The programme was the culmination of more than six years of meticulous work by one reporter and her team, and led to the announcement of a public inquiry.”
Nominees:
- On Drugs Blair Black Films for BBC One Northern Ireland
- I Am Not Okay – Spotlight BBC Northern Ireland
Nations and Regions News
WINNER – Wales at Six – TATA ITV Cymru Wales for ITV
“News teams across the UK impressed the judges with the level of ambition of their programmes in this category. In the end, one entry stood out for high quality reportage that was rooted in the community as the team dealt with a major breaking story.”
Nominees:
- Smear Test Investigation – UTV Live UTV
- Infected Blood Inquiry – ITV News Meridian ITV News Meridian for ITV1
Nations and Regions Reporter of the Year
WINNER – Guy Lynn – BBC London News BBC London News for BBC One
“The winning reporter demonstrated an impressive range of skills with an entry that included a number of lengthy and detailed investigations. The judges praised both the quality of the films and the impact of the journalism which led to real change.”
Nominees:
- Kaf Okpattah – ITV News London ITN / ITV News for ITV1
- Amelia Beckett – ITV Calendar ITV Yorkshire for ITV1
Network Daily News Programme of the Year
WINNER – Channel 4 News Channel 4 News for Channel 4
“This category saw high-quality TV news programmes across all channels, but the jury were particularly impressed with the depth and range of the coverage shown by the winning programme – with agenda-setting journalism both at home and abroad. The programme knows its audience, and is consistent in the way it produces strong programmes, night after night.”
Nominees:
- ITV News at Ten ITN / ITV News for ITV
- The World With Yalda Hakim Sky News
Network Interview of the Year
WINNER – The Case Against the Archbishop – Channel 4 News Channel 4 News for Channel 4
“There were many entries for the Network Interview of the Year and the jurors agreed that both the quality and range of subjects was impressive. The winner, however, stood out for providing what one juror described as a real ‘edge of your seat’ moment. This was a superb display of forensic questioning, which was the culmination of this journalist doggedly pursuing the story over many years. Under a relentless barrage of questions, viewers witnessed the world tumbling down around the interviewee who, just days later, finally resigned his post.”
Nominees:
- Laura Kuenssberg interviews Michelle Mone and Doug Barrowman – Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg BBC News for BBC One
- Nick Robinson and Nigel Farage – The Panorama Interviews with Nick Robinson BBC News for BBC One
Network Presenter of the Year
WINNER – Sophy Ridge Sky News
“In a very strong field, this presenter stood out…combining disarming toughness with huge likeability. Moving effortlessly from politics to breaking news, she’s in control, genuinely insightful and never domineering.”
Nominees:
- Susanna Reid – Good Morning Britain ITV Studios Daytime for ITV1
- Anna Foster BBC News for BBC One and BBC News Channel
Network Television Journalist of the Year
WINNER – Cathy Newman – Channel 4 News Channel 4 News for Channel 4
“The contenders for TV journalist of the year showcased an extremely diverse set of skills and journalistic enterprise at home and abroad from our top three nominees. But the winner delivered scoop after scoop on an issue that had lain fallow in one of England’s most important institutions and ultimately led to an unprecedented shake up and resignation at the top of the Church of England.”
Nominees:
- Andrew Harding BBC News for BBC One
- Stuart Ramsay Sky News
News Channel of the Year
WINNER – Sky News
“The winner of this category stood out for its excellent journalism, high production values, and clear analysis. It had strong eye-witness coverage from around the world, and also produced highly watchable reporting on many UK stories. One juror said that, in this category, they are ‘hard to beat’.”
Nominees:
- BBC News Channel
- Al Jazeera English
News Coverage – Home
WINNER – The Post Office Scandal: ITV News Investigates – ITV News ITN / ITV News for ITV
“In a year that saw the unravelling of the Post Office Scandal, the exemplary reporting of this team never lost sight of the human dimension. They were also the first to broadcast the ‘smoking gun’ tape which proved Paula Vennells knew about Horizon’s ability to hack the accounts of sub postmasters.”
Nominees:
- The Case Against The Archbishop – Channel 4 News Channel 4 News for Channel 4
- Southport: The Tragedy That Shook Britain – ITV News ITN / ITV News for ITV
News Coverage – International
WINNER – Investigating the War in the Middle East – ITV News ITN / ITV News for ITV
“Coverage of this story has dominated the year and despite the challenges of lack of access to international journalists, tonight’s winner still managed to report with rigorous detail and determination. Marshalling all the resources available and with careful collaboration with on the ground videographers, the winner showcased the best standards of dispassionate and committed investigative journalism.”
Nominees:
- The War in Gaza – CNN Worldwide CNN for CNN International
- Sudan’s War Sky News
On-Demand Journalism
WINNER – Gaza 101: Emergency Rescue – BBC Eye Investigations / BBC News Arabic BBC Eye Investigations for BBC iPlayer
“The winner of this category brought the viewer right alongside events unfolding with terrible repetition. The jurors praised the inspired commissioning of this incredible example of on-demand journalism. ‘Touching, chilling, authentic and intense’ were just some of the adjectives used to describe this compelling work.”
Nominees:
- Britain’s Backstreet Surgery Scandal ITN for ITV
- Democracy 2024 Financial Times
Political Journalist of the Year
WINNER – Paul Brand – ITV News ITN / ITV News for ITV
“A versatile and very talented journalist, with scoops and a strong interviewing style – arguably the best political interviewer in Britain.”
Nominees:
- Beth Rigby Sky News
- Sam Coates Sky News
Scoop of the Year
WINNER – Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods BBC Current Affairs for BBC Two
“The judges said this ‘meticulously put together’ report was ‘genuinely history changing’. A technique of hearing many women describe the same experience, their repeated descriptions of Al Fayed’s playbook, was extremely powerful. A ‘hugely important piece of work’, this report had the impact of encouraging more women to come forward. The judges felt this incredibly well-produced report was a ‘true exclusive’.”
Nominees:
- The Case Against The Archbishop – Channel 4 News Channel 4 News for Channel 4
- The Post Office Scandal: The Secret Tapes and the ‘Smoking Gun’ – ITV News ITN / ITV News for ITV
Specialist Journalist of the Year
WINNER – Paul Brand – Assisted Dying – ITV News ITN / ITV News for ITV
“The jury found the winner’s work to be a showcase of sensitive and mature reporting on an incredibly divisive subject. His writing was considerate, empathetic and measured but the reports were hard hitting and got to the heart of the issues that needed to be debated.”
Nominees:
- Cathy Newman – The Case Against the Archbishop – Channel 4 News Channel 4 News for Channel 4
- Tom Cheshire Sky News
Outstanding Contribution Award
WINNER – Michael Jermey
“Its recipient is an outstanding journalist and editorial executive who more than anyone else in recent years has been responsible for the shape, vigour and reputation of the news on ITV – where until recently he was the Director of News and Current Affairs.
He oversaw the reinvention of News at Ten as a single presenter show, as well as creating the hour-long early evening news. He also originated ITV’s Exposure documentary strand. And with colleagues in the other national news organisations he helped establish the 2010 election debates.
He drove a programme of modernisation and change in ITV’s regional newsrooms, partly to meet the financial challenges of the 21st century. An ITN trainee himself at the start of his career, he also established the ITV News Trainee scheme.