Tributes paid to local democracy reporter George Makin

The 62-year-old, who was based with Reach PLC covering the Sandwell and Dudley areas, had been diagnosed with incurable cancer in April and passed away earlier this week.

In his honour, the BBC and NMA are setting up an award for new local democracy reporters (LDRs) – who have been in the job less than a year – at the next annual ceremony.

Organisers said his dedication in covering local government issues throughout his career along with his doggedness and determination made him a shining example of young journalists.

When he was given his diagnosis, George penned a heartfelt first person piece on his plight which also urged people to save each other in the fight against the Covid pandemic.

The article brought widespread praise and admiration for his courage, honesty and typical sense of humour.

George worked as a video production assistant and a freelance photographer for a number of years before taking the step into journalism in 1999.

He worked at the Walsall Advertiser for 10 years, rising up to become deputy chief reporter and winning a clutch of awards for his work.

Following the Advertiser, he worked as a freelance journalist and press officer for a number of years before becoming an LDR in 2018.

Away from work, he was devoted to his wife Deborah and their children and grand children as well as their dog Patch. His interests included a great love of birds and wildlife.

 Paul Kemp, Birmingham LDRS Content Editor, said: “George was a true, old school journalist with a passion for covering local news and politics.

“He was a huge character, friendly and extremely witty, even when he was facing such a difficult time in the last few months. 

“In my opinion George was so incredibly brave following his diagnosis.

“He did not want the illness to define him as a person, he was scared but realistic and wanted to spend his last months with family and friends, and never lost his incredible sense of humour. He said he wanted to write the news, not be the news. 

“I have had the pleasure of working with George from 15 years ago when he was a journalist on the Walsall Advertiser, and also over the past three years as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“He had a keen eye for digging out news, and may have ruffled a few feathers, and he may have used expletives about me a couple of times too, but such was George’s passion for pursuing good journalism.

“George will leave a lasting memory, and he will be sadly missed by me and the whole team.

“Finally, in George’s own words: ‘The fat lady is singing a song about beer… and I’m off to the pub.'”

Yakub Qureshi, Reach democracy editor added: “After a long and distinguished career in the media, George really found his niche as a local democracy reporter.

“His detailed knowledge of local government allowed him to ask questions that made politicians squirm, but he remained greatly respected by those he held to account.

“Often an waggish irreverent presence in the newsroom, he was a loyal friend and colleague and he showed enormous courage and dignity in confronting his diagnosis.”

Birmingham Live and Birmingham Mail editor Graeme Brown said: “George left a lasting impression on the West Midlands through his journalism – but an even longer impression on everyone he met.

“Professionally, he was determined, dogged and tenacious – but always fair.

“But he was more than that – someone always happy to help others and a team-member who always made the working environment better.”

Marc Reeves, Reach’s marketplace publisher Midlands and Wales said: “George was a journalist’s journalist – the kind of colleague you want to see in every newsroom.

“He exuded warmth, humour and humanity, but above all an absolute passion for his trade and people he was writing for.

“He had so much to teach younger journalists following him into the industry, which is why it’s so fitting that there will be an award for new LDRs named in his honour.

“He’ll be missed – and never forgotten.”