The event, which was taken over by the NUJ this year, recognised the work of regional journalists, photographers, designers and publishers across 20 categories.
Opening speaker and NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear said the union wanted to pay tribute to the work of journalists facing many challenges in the current industry.
"Whilst it is right we celebrate the very best of media there are many who have little to say good about our profession," he said. "Those we celebrate as a profession are the people who stand up to defend the basic principles and ethics of our profession on all our behalf, so we might be better informed. But whilst we want the public to value our work we want our work to be properly valued by our profession too."
He said too many local media companies are failing democracy, referring to those who had become "victims of failed corporate models for news".
"Local and national democracy is suffering, as a result," he added.
He closed the awards by saying the NUJ will consider running the event next year if no one else does.
Rachel McAthy talks to Jeremy Dear:
Awards ceremony
Reporter of the Year Weekly was a unanimous verdict, given to Eleanor Harding of the Wandsworth Guardian, who was congratulated on getting out of the office and speaking to local people in the search for stories.
Rachel McAthy talks to Eleanor Harding:
Reporter of the Year Daily/Sunday went to Allison Morris from the Irish News.
Student Journalist of the Year, a new category introduced by the NUJ this year, was awarded to Rosie Taylor from Forge Press. Taylor was recognised for her article exposing the variation of marking in French exam papers.
Rachel McAthy talks to Rosie Taylor
Presenting the award for Multimedia Journalist of the Year, Steve Busfield from the Guardian said the multimedia category was tough to judge.
"The standard was higher than ever and turned this into an incredibly competitive category."
The winner of was Sion Donovan, from the News in Portsmouth. Multimedia Publisher of the Year went to Stewart Kirkpatrick of the Caledonian Mercury.
Sports photographer of the Year Daily/Sunday was a highly competitive category, with two shortlisted candidates being highly commended, but the overall winner was Lucy Ray from the Bradford and Telegraph Argus.
The award for photographer of the year went to Stuart Boulton, for his image of a prisoner serving time for a crime he claims not to have committed.
Sports writer for the News in Portsmouth, Neil Allen, was named Sports Journalist of the Year Daily/Sunday.
He was said to write with "flair and authority" and was praised for not being afraid to write negatively about his local club when necessary, being subsequently barred from the grounds.
Another award introduced by the NUJ this year was the Felix Dearden Reporting on Race Award. This award remembers Felix Dearden, a Reuters journalist who died in the Kings Cross fire in 1987. The award went to Mary Griffin from the Coventry Telegraph.
Rachel McAthy talks to Mary Griffin:
Scoop of the Year was awarded to Cherry Wilson, from the Rotherham Advertiser, for her story of a blind builder who got his sight back.
Other categories recognised outstanding work by feature writers, designers, columnists and specialist writers.
Judges congratulated all the short listed candidates.
Full list of winners
Campaign of the Year
Winner: Kathryn Torney, Belfast Telegraph
Student Journalist of the Year
Winner: Rosie Taylor, Forge Press
Designer of the Year
Winner: Graeme Windell, The News, Portsmouth
Rachel McAthy talks to Graeme Windell:
Feature Writer of the Year Weekly
Winner: Roger Lytollis, Cumberland News
Feature Writer of the Year Daily/Sunday
Winner: Jayne Dawson of Yorkshire Evening Post
Multimedia Journalist of the Year
Winner: Sion Donovan, The News, Portsmouth
Multimedia Publisher of the Year
Winner: Stewart Kirkpatrick – Caledonian Mercury
Sports Photographer of the Year Weekly
Winner: Stephen Garnett, Craven Herald
Sports Photographer of the Year Daily/Sunday
Winner: Lucy Ray, Bradford and Telegraph Argus
Photographer of the Year Weekly
Winner: Chris Whiteoak, Surrey Advertiser
Photographer of the Year Daily/Sunday
Winner: Stuart Boulton, Northern Echo
Sports Journalist of the Year Weekly
Winner: Eric Mackinnon, West Lothian Courier
Sports Journalist of the Year Daily/Sunday
Winner: Neil Allen, The News, Portsmouth
Columnist of the Year
Winner: Stacia Briggs, Norwich Evening News
Specialist Writer of the Year
Winner: Carl Eve, The Plymouth Herald
The Felix Dearden Reporting on Race Award
Winner: Mary Griffin, Coventry Telegraph
Scoop of the Year
Winner: Cherry Wilson, Rotherham Advertiser & Croydon Advertiser
Reporter of the Year Weekly
Winner: Eleanor Harding, Wandsworth Guardian
Reporter of the Year Daily/Sunday
Winner: Allison Morris, Irish News
Newspaper of the Year
The News, Portsmouth
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