For the first time, both SoPublishing and SoGlos have both been shortlisted in the 2026 Future of Media Awards, organised by Press Gazette.
SoPublishing has been named a finalist for Publisher of the Year, while SoGlos has been shortlisted for Local/Regional Website of the Year, giving the Gloucestershire-based independent media business recognition in two categories.
The annual awards celebrate the publishers, journalists and organisations shaping the future of media. This year's shortlist includes leading media organisations from across the UK and around the world, including The Kyiv Independent in Ukraine and Nippon TV in Japan.
According to Press Gazette, finalists were selected following three days of live judging by an independent panel, with judges praising the exceptionally high standard of this year's entries.
The dual shortlist recognises both the publishing business behind SoGlos and the media brand itself.
Founded in 2007, SoPublishing has spent almost two decades developing a model for building sustainable local media businesses: combining trusted journalism, proprietary technology and a proven commercial approach.
Its flagship title, SoGlos, has grown into Gloucestershire's leading independent media brand, reaching 1.7 million monthly users.
Michelle Fyrne, chief executive of SoPublishing, said: 'Being shortlisted in both categories is particularly rewarding because it recognises not only the audience-facing brand we've built, but also the publishing business behind it.
'We've always believed there's a strong future for independent local media and have spent almost two decades building a model that shows what's possible.
'To see that recognised by Press Gazette's judges means a great deal to our team.'
The announcement follows another successful year for SoPublishing. In June 2026, the company was named Small Digital Publisher of the Year 2026 at the AOP Awards, becoming the first independent local media publisher to win the title since the category was introduced.
SoPublishing is in the Publisher of the Year finals alongside DMG New Media; Politico; The Daily Beast; The Economist; The i Paper and Times Media.
While this is the third time that SoGlos has been shortlisted in the Future of Media Awards – in 2026 the five other finalists include Andover Advertiser; Belfast Telegraph; Birmingham Live; Kent Online and The Chelsea Citizen.
Winners of the 2026 Future of Media Awards will be announced at a ceremony at Hilton London Bankside on Thursday 10 September 2026.
For more information, visit futureofmedia.co.uk.
