The importance of quality journalism in our day-to-day lives was once again on display at the annual NewsBrand Ireland Journalism awards which were held in the Mansion House this week.
Sponsored by the National Lottery, the awards showcase the very best in Irish journalism and the news brands behind some of the biggest stories over the last year.
A total of 26 category awards were presented at the awards which span all areas and disciplines of modern journalism and are open to work published in print, website, online, mobile, video, or audio.
The big award – NewsBrands Ireland Journalist of the Year- went to Mark Tighe of the Sunday Times for his investigation into the FAI’s finances and corporate governance which ultimately led to the departure of its chief executive John Delaney.
Tighe was also awarded the Scoop of the Year and News Reporter of the Year awards, as well as being part of the team to win the Investigative Journalism and Campaigning Journalism awards for their exposure of issues around corporate governance in the FAI.
The award was presented by Vincent Crowley, Chairperson of NewsBrands Ireland, Tim Vaughan, the Chairman of the Journalism Awards Judging Panel, and Andrew Algeo, CEO of the National Lottery who sponsor the Awards.
The Journalist of the Year award, said Mr Vaughan, went to a journalist whose tenacious work “has led to a raft of stunning revelations that raised huge question marks about governance and transparency at one of the country’s most high profile organizations.”
“None of this would have happened – could have happened – if the journalism we’re honouring here today could be silenced by people who don’t want stories about them published, that are in the public interest, or who don’t like the ones that are. It’s why journalism matters.”
Addressing the audience NewsBrands Ireland Chairman, Vincent Crowley, said: “People consume more hard news than ever before with our print and digital content read by 74 % of the population. Established brands, such as our member news publishers, matter when people are looking for news coverage. When it comes to news, trust is everything.”
He added that this NewsBrands Ireland continued its ‘Journalism Matters’ campaign which highlights the vital role the press plays in a vibrant democracy and calls on the Government to support measures to ensure the industry’s survival.
According to Andrew Algeo, Chief Executive of the National Lottery: “These awards are a recognition of the immense and valued role of journalism, shining a light as it does on all aspects of Irish society and making clear the impact and context of news and events. The National Lottery is proud to sponsor these awards again this year, and to be associated with the best of work by the print and online journalists of Ireland.”
A full list of all winners is below
Business Journalist of the Year: Michael O’ Farrell, The Irish Mail on Sunday
Business Story of the Year: Feargal O’ Connor, Sunday Independent
Broadsheet Columnist of the Year: Hilary Fannin, The Irish Times
Campaigning Journalism: The Sunday Times for their FAI campaign
Popular Columnist of the Year: Larissa Nolan, Irish Mirror
Critic of the Year: Liam Fay, The Sunday Times
Broadsheet Features Writer: Conor Gallagher, The Irish Times
Popular Features Writer: Catherine Fegan, Irish Daily Mail
Crime Story of the Year: Norma Costello, The Irish Mail on Sunday
Crime Journalist of the Year: Nicola Tallant, Sunday World
Foreign Coverage: Sally Hayden, The Irish Times
Front Page: The Irish Examiner
Headline: The Irish Sun
Investigative Journalism: The Sunday Times (Colin Coyle, Mark Tighe, Paul Rowan)
News Reporter of the Year: Mark Tighe, The Sunday Times
Podcast of the Year: The Floating Voter, Independent.ie
Political Story of the Year: Peter O’ Dwyer, The Times, Ireland Edition
Political Journalist of the Year: Kevin Doyle, Irish Independent
Scoop of the Year: Mark Tighe, The Sunday Times
Showbiz Story of the Year: Barry Moran, The Irish Sun
Showbiz Journalist of the Year: Eddie Rowley, Sunday world
Sports Journalist of the Year (Broadsheet): Cathal Dennehy, Irish Examiner and Irish Independent
Sports Journalist of the Year (Popular): Roy Curtis, The Herald and Sunday World
Best use of Video: Simon Carswell and Enda O’ Dowd, The Irish Times
Best News Website: Irishtimes.com
Young Journalist of the Year: Jack Power, The Irish Times
Journalist of the Year: Mark Tighe, The Sunday Times
