Press Release issued: 25 September 2010.
A partially sighted volunteer presenter with Glasgow-based Insight Radio has won recognition in one of the most prestigious awards in the industry - despite having never worked in radio until a year ago!
Gary Moritz (47) who presents 'Sunset Melodies' on RNIB's Insight Radio every Sunday, received a Finalist's Certificate in the New York Festivals International Radio Programming and Promotion Awards.
For 53 years, the awards have recognized the best work in world radio. This year's entries have come from over 20 countries with a grand jury comprised of top industry professionals from over 25 countries. Insight, the radio station set up by the Royal National Institute of Blind People, was one of only a handful of UK radio stations to be finalists.
Gary, who was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa when he was 16 and also has a hearing problem, was told he had won his certificate after the awards took place last night at Manhattan Penthouse, New York
"I am absolutely thrilled to have won a Finalist certificate at such a prestigious radio awards ceremony," he said. "To have achieved such recognition in the same category as people like Johnny Walker and Tony Bennett is beyond my wildest expectations.
"Insight Radio have been a huge support in developing my radio skills and helping me to produce the show and it's so exciting to be able to bring my love of music from the 30's to the 60's to a wider audience," went on Gary, who broadcasts from Insight's satellite studio in Camden, London.
'Sunset Melodies' was a one of ten nominees in the Best Regularly Scheduled Music Show category.
"Up until a year ago, Gary had never worked in radio," said Ross Macfadyen, Radio Services Manager for Insight. "However, with training and mentoring from members of the Insight team, Gary has developed his broadcasting skills to produce and present 'Sunset Melodies'.
"For Insight Radio to be amongst such competition is a reflection of the high quality broadcasting generated each day. It's worth pointing out that we manage to do so on a far more modest budget than the likes of other finalists such as Radio 2 and Classic FM."
Many of Insight's staff have sight problems, including presenter Mikey Hughes, runner-up in last year's 'Big Brother' programme. The station broadcasts nationally via the Insight Radio website and on Sky 0188 and Freesat 777. Listeners in Glasgow can also tune in on 101FM.
According to new research, Insight Radio now reaches over 95,000 people with sight loss across the UK each week, including 13,000 in Scotland.
Ross Macfadyen said: "Our Scottish audience has increased year on year. The figures for the South West and Wales are amazing and for the first time we have Northern Ireland included in our research. We conduct independent research to measure our audience reach amongst registered blind and partially sighted people across the UK, using methodology which very closely mirrors that of the standard radio industry research, RAJAR.
"Insight Radio is now reaching 95,297 people with sight loss each week, up from 85,577 last year. That's 29.1 per cent of all those formally registered with sight loss in the UK. But it's likely that there are a great many more people listening who are not captured by this research, including people not formally registered blind/partially sighted, alongside our 'secondary' audience - friends, family and colleagues of people with sight loss, eye care professionals, etc.
"Our programmes offer easily accessible, up to the minute information covering current news, sport, entertainment, talking books and social opportunities, as well as covering a wide range of issues affecting the blind and partially sighted community.
"The beauty of radio is that it's all about what comes out of the speaker - so the quality of a station is judged solely by that."