Congratulations to the winners of the Refugee Festival Scotland Media Awards 2025

In an increasingly polarised world, accurate, responsible reporting on refugee and asylum issues is crucial.  Last summer, racist riots swept across the UK, creating fear in refugee and migrant communities.

Good journalism can help counter toxic narratives and harmful misconceptions about forced migration. That’s why Scottish Refugee Council teams up with the National Union of Journalists each year to host the Media Awards.

Thanks so much to everyone who entered work, every person who shared their story, and every journalist who helps amplify the voices of people from refugee backgrounds.

The winners are…

Independent News

Winner: Sadia Sikandar, Greater Govanhill: Facing Hatred with Hope

Runner up: Tabassum Niamat & Pinar Aksu, Greater Govanhill: ‘These are our Neighbours’: Three years on from Kenmure Street, what’s changed?

Features

Winner: Lindsay Bruce, Press and Journal: From refugee to royal recognition, the remarkable story of Aberdeen professor Mirela Delibegovic 

Runner up: Kirsteen Paterson, Holyrood Magazine: Towers of Strength: How Ukrainian refugees found home in a Scottish town 

News

Winner: Hamish Morrison, The National: English riots gave me ‘flashbacks’ to being hunted by trafficking gang 

Runners up: Diane Taylor, the Guardian: Syrian refugee says Home Office ‘breaking my heart’ 

And: Jane Bradley, Scotland on Sunday:  5,500 Ukrainians issued ‘use it or lose it’ letter over right to take refuge in Scotland 

Broadcast

Winner: Tara Fitzpatrick, STV: ‘Skills being wasted’: Calls to lift ban on work for asylum seekers 

Runner up: Vidushi Tiwari, STV: Asylum seekers and refugees create art to explore mental health 

Local media

Winner: Donald Erskine, Glasgow Times: Visa rules leave Glasgow’s Ukrainian refugees ‘unemployable’

Runner up: Susan Lochrie, Greenock Telegraph: Afghan war hero now safe in Inverclyde helps refugees

This year, Refugee Festival Scotland runs from 13-22 June. Take a look at the programme to see what events are happening near you.