CIPR Press and Broadcast Awards

The 2009 Northern Ireland CIPR Press and Broadcast Awards took place last night at the Europa. A great night as always with all the craic 400 journalists, spin doctors, politicians and business leaders can muster well into the early hours. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to the legendary and veteran Robin Walsh whilst Journalist of the Year was lifted by David Gordon of the Belfast Telegraph.

WINNERS AND COMMENTS FROM THE JUDGING PANEL

1 COCA-COLA CIPR JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
SPONSOR: COCA-COLA HBC

DAVID GORDON, BELFAST TELEGRAPH

His body of work shows what a nuisance he made of himself in 2008. Representing trouble-making journalism at its best, his relentless digging in search of the truth is to be loudly applauded. His efforts during the year included a rare sample of every journalist’s ambition – an investigation that produced seismic political shocks in Northern Ireland. As an exponent of good old-fashioned journalism, he got himself banned from an interview with Ian Paisley and that, surely, says it all! He is a determined professional whose undoubted skills deliver the goods day in, day out, helping to make his paper a ‘must read’ throughout the year.

2 COCA-COLA CIPR NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR
SPONSOR: COCA-COLA HBC

A) DAILY NEWSPAPER AND OVERALL WINNER: IRISH NEWS
A focused newspaper that is full of self-belief and knows exactly what its readers want. It is distinguished by excellent writing and a fully committed and thoughtful choice of lead stories. Original in thought and lively in presentation, its first class coverage and design means this paper is still setting the bar for daily papers in Northern Ireland.

B) SUNDAY NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR: SUNDAY WORLD

Brash, punchy and giving its readers exactly what they want, this Sunday paper is a tabloid dream. Unflinching and uncompromising, it is bight and busy with excellent content. It really knows its market and targets it well.

3 COCA-COLA CIPR WEEKLY NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR
SPONSOR: TNS MEDIA INTELLIGENCE MEDIA MARKET

NEWRY DEMOCRAT
Bright and lively without forgetting what sells local papers, this is a weekly paper with a great editorial mix. It has good leads, well-written and well-chosen stories, great picture specials and comprehensive local sections. Trying new ways to engage readers – such as the Polish page – shows good thinking and creative ambition.

Special commendation: Impartial Reporter – What would the community do without this amazing, vibrant record of every bit of local life?

4 COCA-COLA CIPR SCOOP OF THE YEAR

KEN REID, UTV

Ian Paisley picked this journalist to announce his retirement on television, refusing to speak to all other journalists until after transmission. The result was a story that travelled round the globe, providing just reward for an interviewer who has spent his career cultivating contacts. This was a genuine scoop – a world exclusive – no one else got near. As one of the biggest political stories of the decade, every news organisation would have been desperate to get it.

5 COCA-COLA CIPR MARTIN O’HAGAN MEMORIAL BURSARY/NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
SPONSOR: DIVA & THE ULSTER SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION

A: OVERALL WINNER AND PRINT NEWCOMER: LESLEY-ANNE HENRY, BELFAST TELEGRAPH
This was an impossible task! The quality of newcomers is outstanding and shows just why despite current economic difficulties, journalism has such a great future. Three stood out from an overall impressive entry of the highest standard with amazing range. Talented Gail Edgar has a bright future and Sunday journalism seems to fit her like a glove. Rebecca Black of the Irish News is a modern day story-getter with an instinctive grasp of old fashioned inquisitive determination that is so valuable and important.

But from this classy field Lesley-Anne Henry nosed ahead with a top class portfolio of human interest reporting from Afghanistan about Ireland’s own soldiers and clear evidence in other submissions that she will deliver the goods from wherever the news front line might be. She is determined and hard working. Her reporting from Afghanistan turned a facility trip that can so often produce very ordinary local boy stories into a fascinating human interest snapshot of a regiment at work in a war zone. Her interviewing was comprehensive and her filing prolific proving that everyone has a story to tell so long as the reporter is clever enough to find them. She is a potential star in yet another generation of classy young journalists groomed in Northern Ireland.

B: BROADCAST NEWCOMER: SARAH DOBSON, UTV
The newcomers to broadcasting entries were impressive especially as some were from small commercial radio stations with limited resources. Trudi Smyth of Citybeat and Michael Fitzpatrick of Downtown Radio showed that where there is talent and commitment, quality will overcome any limitations. But best of a strong field was Sarah Dobson. Her pace and articulate reporting demonstrate thoughtful research and scripting and good use of graphics.

6 COCA-COLA CIPR BUSINESS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
SPONSOR: INVEST NORTHERN IRELAND

A: OVERALL WINNER AND PRINT BUSINESS JOURNALIST: GARY MCDONALD, IRISH NEWS
Gary McDonald’s journalism fully merits his award this year. His stories, often scoops, are written with insight and verve and are accessible to non-specialist readers. As important, he leads the team at the Irish News in Belfast that provided all the entries for this category of the awards, and which is unmatched among the competition. Sharp business reporting at its best, with facts, figures and context and no wasted words. His focus on Northern Ireland’s undersized private sector is particularly commendable.

B: BROADCAST BUSINESS JOURNALIST: JAMIE DELARGY, UTV

Jamie has again shown his mastery of the short business television report, that conveys perceptive stories with arresting pictures. His entries demonstrate his ability to break stories such as rising energy prices and the looming recession in the Northern Ireland economy.

7 COCA-COLA CIPR CAMERAMAN/CREW OF THE YEAR

MARTIN KELLETT, BBC NORTHERN IRELAND

The quality of this year’s entries is the highest I’ve ever seen. Any one could have been the winner such was the high standard. Martin’s work displayed skill, talent and an energy to make even the mundane interesting.

8 COCA-COLA CIPR CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR

A: OVERALL WINNER AND TV CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMME: A LOST BOY, BBC SPOTLIGHT
Compelling piece of TV – an investigation of a shocking story – which nailed the key interview and exploited it to the full. A classic real-life whodunit, with chilling overtones.

B: RADIO CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMME: GOOD MORNING ULSTER (BBC)

Impressive, comprehensive coverage of the Paisley resignation – every angle was explored and the key interviewees lined up. The Obama piece provided a regional angle to a global story and the singing priests was an enjoyable item.

9 COCA-COLA CIPR FEATURE JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
SPONSOR: BELLEEK LIVING

A: OVERALL WINNER AND PRINT FEATURE JOURNALIST: SUZANNE BREEN, THE SUNDAY TRIBUNE
Because it combines so many disciplines: columnists, interviewers and more orthodox feature-writing, this is a very difficult category to judge. There is also, and this is to be welcomed, a higher proportion of entries devoted less to The Troubles and more to rather more everyday concerns. Having said that, the winner shows great empathy and compassion in her interviews, and the prize that that garners is to tease out some very telling human detail. In a battle of two excellent interviewers in which each was a worthy winner, the overall feature journalist of the year – shading it just – is The Sunday Tribune.

B: BROADCAST FEATURE JOURNALIST: KEVIN MAGEE, BBC NORTHERN IRELAND

He is always impossible to ignore, and so is no stranger to the winner’s podium. His winning entries include a stunning conversation with Claire Gallagher, victim of the Omagh bombing.

10 COCA-COLA CIPR MAGAZINE/SUPPLEMENT OF THE YEAR
SPONSOR: SARAH B DISPLAY

A: OVERALL WINNER AND SUPPLEMENT OF THE YEAR: WEEKEND (BELFAST TELEGRAPH)
Launching a big supplement in the current market was a huge gamble, but it has paid off for the Telegraph with Weekend. Well constructed, well designed and full of confidence, Weekend can hold its own against the competition in the nationals. Weekend delivers for its readers, its advertisers and its parent newspaper in abundance. It is full of great ideas in its delivery and has proved its worth by lifting circulation and gaining in ad revenue, both of which are great achievements in the current market.

B: MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR: GO BELFAST

Lively, optimistic and full of ideas, Go Belfast reflects young urban life in Belfast extremely well. It is well designed for its market and fills the reader with enthusiasm for all the city has to offer.

11 COCA-COLA CIPR NEWS/CURRENT AFFAIRS BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR
SPONSOR: CIPR

A: OVERALL WINNER AND RADIO NEWS/CURRENT AFFAIRS BROADCASTER: ANDY MARTIN, BBC NI
Andy Martin’s research and imagination lift the usual flat fodder of courtroom quotes to a dramatic plateau, enabling us to feel the fear of the victims. He brings the same qualities to an investigation of some of the world’s officially invisible and tops it all off with a genuine national exclusive. His work displays tenacity, patience and understanding. He spurns cliché for substance, telling his stories in a neat, incisive fashion across a range of styles.

B: TV NEWS/CURRENT AFFAIRS BROADCASTER: DARRAGH MCINTYRE, BBC NI

Darragh does what it says on the current affairs brief, telling us what we did not already know about issues which should concern us. That he does this across a range of topics, from a cold case murder to a family fire tragedy to the controversial Heathrow expansion project, is impressive. McIntyre is an accomplished researcher and storyteller.

12 COCA-COLA CIPR NEWS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR (PRINT)
SPONSOR: CIPR

A: OVERALL WINNER AND NEWS JOURNALIST (DAILIES): DAVID GORDON, BELFAST TELEGRAPH
David Gordon is an investigative reporter who probes complex stories and confronts authority on behalf of the readers of the Belfast Telegraph. A spending controversy involving the police watchdog, an investigation into politicians’ expenses and a series of reports on the Paisleys which shed revealing light on the story and earned him the ultimate accolade – he made himself such a nuisance on behalf of the public that he was banned by Ian Paisley Senior from his farewell interviews. David Gordon is a worthy winner of the award.

B: NEWS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR (SUNDAYS): STEPHEN BREEN, SUNDAY LIFE

Stephen Breen is a great reporter who knows how to capture the attention of readers of Sunday Life. Whether it is a mother who has lost her son in a horrific accident, a woman victim of a gang rape, or a government minister who is unmasked as driving a motorcyle without tax or MOT, Breen tells his stories with maximum impact.

13 COCA-COLA CIPR NEWS PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR
SPONSOR: DIAGEO

A: OVERALL WINNER AND RADIO NEWS PROGRAMME: CITYBEAT NEWS
Sometimes referred to as the “senior service”, radio has traditionally been the primary source of news for Northern Ireland, not least during the darker days. Citybeat News reflects that heritage, providing a comprehensive picture of life in Belfast. In particular its evening news programme Belfast Tonight exploits an extended format without compromising radio’s essential immediacy. Citybeat News is both comprehensive and punchy. In particular the report on the resignation of Ian Paisley Junior reflects the background, the long-term significance, and the human aspects of a critical political development

B: TV NEWS PROGRAMME: BBC NEWSLINE

The breadth of its coverage and high production values make BBC Newsline a worthy winner. Mike McKimm’s profile of one environmentally aware firm highlights how local companies can innovate to gain competitive advantage.

14 COCA-COLA CIPR NEWSPAPER PRODUCTION JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

FRANCESCA CRAWFORD, IRISH NEWS Francesca Crawford’s clean and sharp designs bring real impact to the pages of the Irish News supplements. Her distinctive style shows real appreciation of colour and contrast and her clever restraint allows proper projection of the images she uses. Francesca’s pages come to life because she is brave enough to embrace simplicity.

15 COCA-COLA CIPR PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
SPONSOR: HARRISON PHOTOGRAPHY

WILLIAM CHERRY, PRESS EYE

A great portfolio that shows the photographer’s ability both to create a compelling image, but also to grab one when it appears in front of him. He is in control of every situation. I particularly admired the weather picture and the footballer.

16 COCA-COLA CIPR SPECIALIST JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
SPONSOR: CIPR

A: OVERALL WINNER AND BROADCAST SPECIALIST JOURNALIST: KEN REID, UTV
His delicate interviews with the departing Ian Paisley and the incoming Peter Robinson were an object lesson in the dying art of how to ask important questions in such a way that the subject has to answer

B: PRINT SPECIALIST JOURNALIST: JILLY BEATTIE, DAILY MIRROR

A great idea, especially the decision to have the Young Achievers’ Award in Stormont. The presentation of the articles was first class and the interviews with the participants so well-written as to be often genuinely moving.

17 COCA-COLA CIPR SPORTS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
SPONSOR: SPORT NORTHERN IRELAND

A: OVERALL WINNER AND BROADCAST SPORTS JOURNALIST: NIGEL RINGLAND, FREELANCE/ DOWNTOWN/ COOLFM
A versatile broadcaster and journalist whose excellent audio entries for Downtown Radio/Cool FM included comprehensive and entertaining Olympic coverage. Informative, concise and professional. A natural broadcaster with an appealing blend of humour and news sense. Good local angles.

B: PRINT SPORTS JOURNALIST: PADDY HEANEY, IRISH NEWS

An excellent cross-section showed an outstanding ability to produce well-written features, thought-provoking columns and sharp, exclusive stories. A great read.

18 COCA-COLA CIPR NEWS WEBSITE OF THE YEAR
SPONSOR: MCI BELFAST

BELFASTTELEGRAPH.CO.UK
belfasttelegraph.co.uk fulfils all the requirements in this category and then some. As one of their readers says, it’s “Stickin’ Out”. While the accent is on local news, with an interesting and varied selection of stories, it also covers the main UK and world news well. It is well presented with a clear and clean design and is easy to navigate. The news team reacts quickly on local stories and provides well produced video reports, although there are irritating breaks in transmission. The website is well supported by local advertising with links to their sites. There’s a great sense of community with an excellent jobs section that makes it easy for applicants to apply and the facility to notify interested people of similar opportunities. The numbers of comments from readers about stories shows strong local interest. The word NEW in red on the latest news items is helpful.

Special mention: sugahfix.com

Special mention should be made of the bright new fashion and shopping site www.sugahfix.com. It was a breath of fresh air for anyone who enjoys good fashion and shopping and I predict it will soon be on the Bookmark list for Northern Ireland fashionistas. However it didn’t quite fit the criteria in this category.

19 COCA-COLA CIPR WEEKLY NEWSPAPER JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
SPONSOR: PHOENIX NATURAL GAS

LISA RAMSDEN, MOURNE OBSERVER
Lisa submitted a most impressive portfolio of work. Through the two themes of the floods and the tragic death of the police officers, she reported not only on the obvious drama of the actual incidents, but then followed up with a highly commendable, thorough and graphic series of reports exploring the different aspects which arose from these events. She did this in a non-partisan way while still managing to convey the obvious emotion which surrounded both subjects – and to tight deadlines. Lisa is a worthy winner of this category in 2009.

Weber Shandwick wins in Europe

I am just back at my hotel from the European PR Awards in Venice and I could not feel prouder.

Weber Shandwick Belfast tonight became the first Northern Ireland agency ever to win a SABRE Award and the only agency from the island of Ireland to collect a top prize for excellence in PR this year. Our award came for our work with IKEA, advising the global retail on the planning application for its very first store in Ireland. Sonya Cassidy, Chris Brown and Stephen McGrath can feel well satisfied that their work is considered the best in Europe.

Across the continent our colleagues are celebrating too. We were the biggest winners of the night collecting seven SABRES. The rooftop garden at the Hilton Stucky Molino will be bopping into the early hours. I’m off to bed and looking forward to getting some sightseeing in before heading back with the trophy to the emerald isle.

Judges Comments

These are the judges comments from last night’s Coca Cola CIPR Press and Broadcasy Awards. Congratulations to everyone named. We had a great night and it was an honour to be able to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to the legendary Malcolm Brodie.

COMMENTS FROM JUDGES

1 COCA-COLA CIPR MARTIN O’HAGAN MEMORIAL BURSARY/NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Overall winner + Print Newcomer: Chrissie Russell, Belfast Telegraph
Chrissie has the ability and confidence to handle a wide range of  subjects with sympathy, maturity and humour. She is a talented young journalist who can touch the hearts of readers with some stories and make them smile with others.

Broadcast Newcomer: Barry Weir, Citybeat
Barry handles the pressure of a busy news agenda to produce compelling content.
2 BUSINESS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

Overall winner + Print Business Journalist: James Stinson, Irish News
In a strong field, James Stinson’s entry shone brightest for the quality of his exclusives, the sharpness of his analysis and the fluency of his writing. In the end, readers and viewers want to learn something they did not know and have the significance clearly explained: all three of James’s exclusives met those criteria and could have found a place in any media outlet in the country.

This entry comprised three scoops that any business journalist would be proud to file – and all about issues that revealed interesting aspects of doing business in Northern Ireland. Each was well-written and developed clearly to reveal the wider significance of the story with authority.

Broadcast business journalist: Yvette Shapiro, BBC NI
A confident performer on top of her subject material, yet able to communicate business issues visually in an accessible way. Her three entries all reflected business consequences of the peace dividend in a manner that was both compelling and enlightening.
3 COCA-COLA CIPR NEWS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR (DAILIES, SUNDAYS)

Overall winner + Print News Journalist (Sundays):Martin Breen, News of the World (now Sunday Life)
In a vintage year of great exclusives the winner was a shinning star in the especially tough Northern Ireland Sunday market place.

News Journalist of the Year (Dailies): David Gordon, Belfast Telegraph
Any one of the galaxy of entries from the Belfast Telegraph could have made the shortlist in a hugely competitive and massively impressive category. The winner did what journalists are supposed to do – annoy the establishment. The criticism he earned from politicians is rightly matched by the applause of his colleagues for a job well done.

Highly commended
Jill Beaty, Daily Mirror and William Allen, Belfast Telegraph

4 COCA-COLA CIPR SPECIALIST JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

Overall winner + winner of specialist journalist (print media) Paula Mackin, Sunday World
In the great tradition of campaigning journalists, Paula Mackin goes after some of the most dangerous in society, giving voice to those who would be otherwise too scared to speak up. Her exposés of criminal drug gangs in Belfast are everything great stories should be.

This is a reporter full of guts. Her tenacious pursuit of the worst in society is matched by her empathy with the victims and their families. This is journalism with a purpose, getting its hands dirty to expose wrongs without fear.

Broadcast Specialist Journalist of the Year: Dot Kirby, BBC NI
Dot Kirby’s investigations into the health service have hard-working journalism at their core. Her exposure of the scandal at Muckamore Abbey hospital, where some patients with learning difficulties were trapped there even though their treatment had finished, was powerful, moving and gave voice to some of the most vulnerable in society. A worthy winner.

5 COCA-COLA CIPR NEWS/CURRENT AFFAIRS BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR

Overall winner + radio news/current affairs broadcaster: Stephen Nolan, BBC
Stephen Nolan handles a range of issues with aplomb. He holds the guilty to account, exposes hypocrisy and gives the vunerable and victimized a voice.
Superbly produced, Stephen Nolan is full-on, aggressive and unrelenting….a refreshing antidote to the culture of comfort-zone journalism, in a era of spin.
 
TV News/current affairs broadcaster: Kevin Magee, BBC NI
Kevin Magee’s forensic approach goes to the heart of the matter. His topics are unfailingly significant. His stories garnished with appealing production.
6 COCA-COLA CIPR SPORTS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

Overall winner + Broadcast Sports Journalist of the Year: Denise Watson, BBC
Interview with Oisin McConville a truly powerful piece of exclusive journalism; interview with ‘bad boy’ Mickey Collins brilliantly opportunistic, interesting and penetrating; piece with rally driver Marcus Gronholm offbeat and of the like I’ve never seen before in this field.

This entry, particularly the McConville piece on a GAA star with a gambling addiction, is outstanding. Denise Watson clearly has the ability to empathise with her interviewees, help them relax and pour out their thoughts, all of which are edited in sympathetic style. The stories are about the subject, with the interviewer taking a secondary role.

Print Sports Journalist of the Year: Jim Gracey, Sunday Life
Topped, by a narrow margin, a shortlist of four excellent entries. All three of Gracey’s pieces informed, thought-provoking, keenly argued and, above all, a cracking good read.

7 COCA-COLA CIPR WEEKLY NEWSPAPER JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

Winner: Mark McKelvey, Ulster Herald
In a strong field, the winner did what all good weekly newspaper journalists do – he found an important and fascinating human story which spoke to the paper’s community; he told that story; and then he built a campaign around it in which all could participate. He handled it with sensitivity but passion, and helped make the life of one boy, and that of his parents, so much better. And you know that Mark did all this, not because it was a great story, but for the family involved, and because the community cares.

For campaigning on behalf of terminally ill Omagh toddler Billy Caldwell, the winner of weekly newspaper journalist of the year is Mark McKelvey of the Ulster Herald.

8 COCA-COLA CIPR FEATURE JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

Overall winner + Print Feature Journalist of the Year: David McKittrick, The Independent

David McKittrick is an exceptional writer.  His excellent pieces on the post-Troubles agenda are insightful and superbly put together.

Broadcast Feature Journalist of the Year: Chris Page, BBC NI
Chris’s reporting captures you in the first minute, inviting you to continue listening to his stories which are pitched at just the right level. His reports tell us something new about issues we have a general understanding of. He uses the medium of radio to maximum effect, mixing voice and ambient sound superbly and his deft touch enables his subjects to tell the story in a captivating way.
9 COCA-COLA CIPR MAGAZINE/SUPPLEMENT OF THE YEAR

Overall winner + Supplement of the Year 24/7, Belfast Telegraph
24/7 is the overall winner because of for its vigorous design and enthusiastic approach.

Entertainment supplements are a hugely competitive sector of the modern newspaper business. 24/7 is a model of how to present a wide variety of entertainment, even cultural, subjects while maintaining the feel of an integrated package within an original and consistent design theme.

Magazine of the Year: Ulster Tatler Interiors
The magazine takes the universal – and therefore often hackneyed – subject matter of interiors and produces a bright, readable, attractive package; interesting and exciting enough even for readers who have no intention of doing anything to their interiors

10 COCA-COLA CIPR NEWSPAPER PRODUCTION JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

Winner: Jeremy Kirker, Irish News
In an impressive and competitive field, Jeremy Kirker’s production journalism stood out for its quality and impact. His entry shone because of the boldness and imagination he brought to big stories and the skilled treatment of pictures which helped him construct memorable front pages.
11 COCA-COLA CIPR PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Winner: William Cherry, Press Eye
The standard was much higher this year, with three portfolios in the running for top spot.

William’s portfolio had a great range which clearly displayed his ability to compose and image. The portrait of the Rev Ian Paisley was strong, as was his image of the rugby player.

Both Hugh Russell (CIPR PB08/49) and Malcachy McCann (CIPR PB08/152) were very close runners up and worthy of mention.

From all the entries you could tell that the Rev Ian Paisley has touched the lives of many if not all the photographers who work in Northern Ireland including myself when I worked in the province as a young photographer.

This was reflected in the sheer number of images submitted of Dr Paisley. However one stood out from the others, Peter Morrison’s picture of Him giving a ‘last salute’ captured the story of his departure in a single image.

It is my view when judging a portfolio the entries need to show images from a variety of assignments. However as a picture editor I was struck by the portfolio of Will Craig (CIPR PB08/04 which is worthy of special mention). This photographer produced an excellent set of images from an ‘embed’ in Afghanistan. If he had been working for the Daily Telegrah I would have been delighted with his efforts.
12 COCA-COLA CIPR NEWS WEBSITE OF THE YEAR

Winner:  The CT website (The Community Telegraph)
This category attracted excellent, and very different, entries and everyone involved should be commended for the websites they have produced and now run.

The winner – The CT – particularly fulfilled very well its function as a news website serving its community, with lively, topical coverage using a range of media, all delivered within an easily understood and usable format.
13 COCA-COLA CIPR CAMERMAN/CREW OF THE YEAR

Winner: John Vernard, UTV
This was a close one but John’s talents stood out above the others.

Special commendation:
Blane Scott, Alan Mackey (UTV) for their high quality work.
 
14 COCA-COLA CIPR NEWS/CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR

The Pit Bull Sting, Spotlight, BBC NI
Skilful editing, courageous reporting and persistence in following the story made this programme memorable.    The Pit Bull Sting combined the best of public service broadcasting values with a pacey production and script to make it irresistible television despite some shocking images.   It also demonstrated an ability by the programme team to look beyond traditional Northern Ireland material for a subject.
15 COCA-COLA CIPR WEEKLY NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR

In a close contest from a host of terrific entries one had to win and the judges finally chose a traditional local newspaper that is brilliantly executed. Retaining solid local newspaper values and easy to read, it has all the news the community could want and displays an ability and agility to respond to breaking news on deadline. It is well-designed, full of life and thoroughly engaging.

The winner is the County Down Spectator.
16 COCA-COLA CIPR NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR

a) Sunday Newspaper of the Year
An impressive paper that knows its market and goes straight to the heart of it with scoops that really matter in every edition. It is in-your- face and fearless with probing news section of local material and great exposés. It campaigns in the great tradition and stands comparison with its peers across the UK.

The winner is Sunday World.

b) Daily – and overall newspaper of the year
An elegant, serious newspaper that is required reading. It continues to evolve as society changes, providing a comprehensive package of news, features and special sections that reflects the new Northern Ireland community. Tabloid in format, it retains its serious values as it broadens its scope.  It is a paper of record with serious interest and a good news sense. It is the one for the others to beat – and they didn’t this year!

The winner is the Irish News.

17 COCA-COLA CIPR SCOOP OF THE YEAR
A genuine jaw dropping, bombshell scoop of serious public interest that everyone had to chase.

The winner is News of the World for its revelations concerning the private life of PSNI Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde.
 

18 COCA-COLA CIPR JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
A brilliant commentator on Northern Ireland’s rapidly changing history, who finds new ways to reflect life in the Province to a wider audience. He has moved with the times to shine his journalistic light into unexpected corners. A journalist with insight and superb style that you are compelled to read to the last paragraph.  The winner is a class act and an inspiring example for all journalists.

The winner is David McKittrick of the Independent.

COCA COLA CIPR PRESS AND BROADCAST RESULTS

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has honoured Northern Ireland’s leading journalists at this year’s Coca Cola-sponsored Press and Broadcast Awards.

A total of 19 awards were presented at Friday’s gala ceremony compèred by RTE’s Miriam O’Callaghan at the Hastings Europa Hotel, Belfast.

The event’s top award – the Coca Cola CIPR Northern Ireland Journalist of the Year – went to David McKittrick, Ireland correspondent of The Independent. The Daily Newspaper of the Year award was won by the Irish News while the County Down Spectator picked up the Weekly Newspaper of the Year title.

Other top winners included Martin Breen for Scoop of the Year and Print News Journalist of the Year and the Belfast Telegraph’s Chrissie Russell who was named Newcomer of the Year title and winner of the Martin O’Hagan Memorial Bursary.

A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Malcolm Brodie who held the position of sports editor of the Belfast Telegraph for more than 40 years until he retired from full time work at the paper in 1991.

In addition to the coveted title of Journalist of the Year, David McKittrick was also named Feature Journalist of the Year. The judging panel described him as:

“A brilliant commentator on Northern Ireland’s rapidly changing history who finds new ways to reflect life in the Province to a wider audience. He has moved with the times to shine his journalistic light into unexpected corners. David is a journalist with insight and superb style that you are compelled to read to the last paragraph.” 

The panel also paid tribute to the Newspaper of the Year, the Irish News which it described as an elegant, serious newspaper that is required reading. The citation read:

“It continues to evolve as society changes, providing a comprehensive package of news, features and special sections that reflects the new Northern Ireland community. Tabloid in format, it retains its serious values as it broadens its scope.  It is a paper of record with serious interest and a good news sense.”

Meanwhile, in a close-run contest, The County Down Spectator took the Weekly Newspaper of the Year category because, the judging panel said, “it is a traditional local newspaper that is brilliantly executed.”

“Retaining solid local newspaper values and easy to read, it has all the news the community could want and displays an ability and agility to respond to breaking news on deadline.”

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Maire Campbell, public affairs and communications manager of main sponsor, Coca Cola Bottlers (Ulster) Ltd, congratulated all those who had taken part.

“As a global brand operating locally, genuine community investment is a strategic priority for us, and we are honored to pledge our support to the CIPR Press and Broadcast Awards 2008/9.

“We are pleased to pay tribute to the many talented individuals from the world of press and broadcast in Northern Ireland,” added Maire.

Conall McDevitt, chair of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) NI thanked Coca Cola for sponsoring the awards along with the event’s associate sponsors Belleek Living, Bombardier, Harrison Photography, MCI Belfast, Musgrave Retail Partners NI, Phoenix Natural Gas, SBD Events, S Hill and Company, Smarts and Spar. 
 
Conall commented: “I thank each and every member of the media who entered the press and broadcast awards which are the only ones anywhere in these islands to be organised by the public relations profession
 
“Your determination to compete and your desire to excel has characterised this occasion since its inception 15 years ago.
 
“Thank you for making this night a special one. And most of all, for filling our lives with news and gossip and something to argue about,” added Conall.

2007/08 COCA COLA CIPR PRESS AND BROADCAST AWARD WINNERS

Coca Cola CIPR Lifetime achievement award.
Winner – Malcolm Brodie

Coca Cola CIPR Journalist of the Year (sponsor: Coca Cola).
Winner David McKittrick – The Independent

Coca Cola CIPR Newspaper of the Year (sponsor: Coca Cola)
Winner – Irish News 
Sunday newspaper of the Year – Sunday World 
Daily newspaper of the Year – Irish News

Coca Cola CIPR Weekly newspaper of the Year (sponsor: Musgrave Retail Partners NI) 
Winner – County Down Spectator

Coca Cola CIPR Scoop of the Year (sponsor: SBD Events)   
Winner - Martin Breen*, News of the World

Coca Cola CIPR Print news journalist of the Year (sponsor: CIPR)   
Winner – Martin Breen*, News of the World
Daily print news journalist – David Gordon, Belfast Telegraph
Sunday print news journalist – Martin Breen*, News of the World

Coca Cola CIPR News website of the Year (sponsor: CIPR)   
Winner – Commmunity Telegraph

Coca Cola CIPR Weekly newspaper journalist of the Year (sponsor: Phoenix Natural Gas)  
Winner – Mark McKelvey, Ulster Herald

Coca Cola CIPR Business journalist of the Year (sponsor: S Hill and Company)
Winner – James Stinson, Irish News
Broadcast business journalist – Yvette Shapiro, BBC
Print business journalist – James Stinson, Irish News

Coca Cola CIPR Sports journalist of the Year (sponsor: CIPR)   
Winner – Denise Watson, BBC
Broadcast sports journalist – Denise Watson, BBC
Print sports journalist – Jim Gracey, Sunday Life

Coca Cola CIPR Current affairs/news broadcaster of the Year (sponsor: MCI Belfast)
Winner – Stephen Nolan, BBC
Radio current affairs broadcaster – Stephen Nolan, BBC
TV current affairs broadcaster – Kevin Magee, BBC

Coca Cola CIPR Magazine or supplement of the Year (sponsor: Bombardier)
Winner – 24/7 section, Belfast Telegraph
Magazine – Ulster Tatler Interiors, Ulster Journals 
Supplement – 24/7 section, Belfast Telegraph

Coca Cola CIPR Feature journalist of the Year (sponsor: Spar)
Winner – David McKittrick, The Independent
Broadcast feature journalist – Chris Page, BBC
Print feature journalist – David McKittrick, The Independent

Coca Cola CIPR Specialist journalist of the Year (sponsor: Belleek Living)
Winner – Paula Mackin, Sunday World
Broadcast specialist journalist – Dot Kirby, BBC
Print specialist journalist – Paula Mackin, Sunday World

Coca Cola CIPR Production journalist of the Year (sponsor: Harrison Photography)
Winner – Jeremy Kirker, Irish News

* Martin Breen is now employed by Sunday Life
Coca Cola CIPR Current affairs programme of the Year (sponsor: CIPR)
Winner – The Pit Bull Sting, Spotlight, BBC

Coca Cola CIPR Cameran/crew of the Year (sponsor: CIPR)
Winner – John Vernard, UTV

Coca Cola CIPR Photographer of the Year (sponsor: Smarts)  
Winner – William Cherry, Press Eye

Coca Cola CIPR Martin O’Hagan Memorial Bursary Newcomer of the Year
Winner – Chrissie Russell, Belfast Telegraph
Broadcast newcomer – Barry Weir, Citybeat
Print newcomer – Chrissie Russell, Belfast Telegraph
 

Chairman’s comments

Below are the comments I will be making at tonight’s Coca Cola CIPR Press and Broadcast Awards:

 Deputy First Minister, Ladies and gentlemen is a wonderful pleasure to welcome you all here tonight for the 15th Coca Cola CIPR Press and Broadcast Awards.

Can I thank Coca Cola for their continued sponsorship and support as well as the other sponsors and of course my colleagues on the CIPR Committee for the voluntary commitment and enthusiasm for all the events we host. No awards would be possible without the judges and can I thank them all and in particular Bob Satchell as chairperson for committing to the onerous task of adjudicating on very high quality work.  Of course none of this would be possible without the work of MCI Ovation, our events company, who are pulling this party together for us all. Can you join with me in showing your appreciation for all of the above. 

Most of all can I thank each and every member of the press who entered these awards. The ongoing determination to excel and desire to compete has characterised this night since its inception a decade and a half ago. Tonight will be no different.

It is a great pleasure to welcome you Deputy First Minister. In the tenth anniversary year of the Good Friday Agreement I can think of no finer way of acknowledging our shared institutions and in welcoming the opportunities created by locally accountable government then by your presence here tonight Mr McGuinness. I know you will have to leave us after your remarks for another engagement but on behalf of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and I am sure everyone here, can I thank you for making the time to be with us and wish our institutions a long and productive life.

These are the only press awards organised by the public relations’ profession anywhere in these islands. I know colleagues elsewhere on these islands are exploring the possibility of hosting similar events. We would encourage them to do so. The fourth estate deserves recognition and we are particularly proud to be associated with you.

Long used to being world news little did we ever think that our press would become the talk of every editor in the free world. Yet the recent determination of one newspaper to defend the principle of fair comment has brought a global spotlight on this city. The CIPR stands with the Irish News as I believe we all do for defending this on behalf of the free press everywhere. 

Our new institutions have brought challenges for us all. The business of investigative journalism has moved from the dark allies of paramilitarism to the accounts of state and the concerns of local politics. We have recognised this with a new category, scoop of the year. For many of you Freedom of Information is the torch you can shine in the filing cabinets of public administration. The bain of many a colleague in the public sector it remains none the less a fundamental plank of open government. There can be no dark corners in a free society. 

Worldwide 87 journalists were killed in 2007 doing their job. We remember them and the only journalist murdered during our conflict, Martin O’Hagan. 8 more have fallen this year. Killed for seeking the truth. On night’s like tonight I am reminded of the words of the great journalist and philosopher Albert Camus when he said that  “A free press can of course be good or bad, but, most certainly, without freedom it will never be anything but bad.”

Of course if it not just hard news we celebrate tonight. It is all news. From features to fillies the business pages to the glory of our great games you give us something to talk about over coffee to text about when bored and, for the die hards like myself a blog or two along the way.

Thank you for making this night a special one.

And most of all for filling our lives with news and gossip and something to argue about. 

Belfast’s Big Press Party

Tonight is the Annual Chartered Institute of Public Relations Press and Broadcast Awards, sponsored by Coca Cola. As this year’s CIPR Chair it has been a busy week with final arrangements and all that. Speech is written and the stage is set for now for the only press and broadcast awards on these islands organised by the public relations profession. If you are interested in all the results I will post them here at about 10.15pm tonight (Friday).

 I’ll also post a copy of my own remarks late this afternoon.

Meantime there is a tux to be collected and shoes to be polished. Can’t wait for the Lifetime Achievement Award. The recipient has no idea he is going to be the man of the night. He was the unanimous choice when the editors met last November and a man who can quite literally claim to have seen it all.