Scottish journalist wins annual NCE award

Laura Paterson, a senior reporter with the Press and Journal (Aberdeen), has won the TS Murray Award for her performance in the National Examination Certificate.

The TS Murray Award is presented annually for the best NCE result achieved by a candidate employed by a Scottish newspaper.

The NCE is the professional senior qualification offered by the NCTJ that examines all-round competence in a range of fundamental skills.

Speaking about her win, Laura said: “I was very surprised to hear that I’d won and I’m pleased to have been able to continue the Press and Journal’s winning streak with the award, as a reporter in the Aberdeen office won it last year.”

Laura studied for her preliminary exams at the Scottish Centre for Journalism in 2008. She then worked for a year for The Digger, a weekly investigative magazine in Glasgow, before joining the Press and Journal in August 2010.

She wins a certificate and a cheque for £125.