Public debate in the UK has never stood still. While traditional media remains central to how news is gathered and verified, more and more audiences now encounter stories first through social platforms.
The Pagefield Award for Social Media News Team of the Year recognises the teams behind that shift. These are the journalists and editors responsible for translating fast-moving stories into clear, accurate and engaging content across platforms, often under significant time pressure.
This year’s shortlist reflects three different approaches to social news delivery: platform-first reporting, audience-led storytelling, and consistent, high-quality digital output.
Here are this year’s nominees:
Financial Times Social Media Team
The Financial Times has developed a strong social media presence by adapting complex business and economic reporting for digital audiences.
Its social output focuses on clarity and explanation, using short-form video, graphics and concise writing across platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn and its own digital channels to make detailed stories more accessible. Rather than chasing trends, the FT maintains a consistent editorial approach, ensuring its journalism translates effectively across platforms without losing depth or authority.
This year’s Pagefield Awards judges highlighted the strength of FT social team’s editorial judgement, particularly its ability to retain the FT’s serious and expert tone while reaching new audiences on social platforms. They also noted the consistency of the team’s output and the clarity with which complex issues are explained.
The Guardian – Anywhere but Westminster
The Guardian’s Anywhere but Westminster strand reflects a broader editorial approach, focusing on stories from across the UK that sit outside the traditional “Westminster village”.
Led by journalists including John Harris and John Domokos, the series brings attention to issues on the ground, often highlighting voices and perspectives that are not always visible in mainstream political coverage. Their reporting combines interviews with video storytelling, helping to connect national debates with lived experience.
This includes video-led reporting and platform-specific content across YouTube, Instagram and other channels, designed to reach audiences beyond legacy news formats.
Judges highlighted the strength of this perspective and the insight it brings into wider social and political trends.
Sky News Digital Team
Sky News’ social media team has developed a strong reputation for fast, clear and platform-first reporting, particularly across TikTok and other short-form video channels.
Its content is created specifically for these platforms, with reporters and presenters explaining stories directly to camera in a way that is immediate and easy to follow. This allows the team to respond quickly to breaking news while maintaining clarity and accuracy, often translating complex or developing stories into formats that audiences can engage with in real time.
The team has built a large and engaged following, with content that regularly reaches wide audiences and performs strongly across platforms. Its approach reflects a clear understanding of how people now consume news, particularly among younger audiences who are less likely to engage with traditional formats.
Judges highlighted the strength of this social-first storytelling, noting that content is designed with the platform and audience in mind rather than adapted from longer formats. They also pointed to the team’s reach, consistency and editorial judgement, with output that balances speed, accessibility and accuracy in a fast-moving news environment.
The winner will be announced as part of the Pagefield Awards 2026 on 15th June.
