Westmeath Independent up for two media awards
The Westmeath Independent has received two shortlistings for this year’s Local Ireland Media Awards.
Local Ireland represents some 33 local newspapers across the country. This will be the eleventh year of the awards and the ninth to be sponsored by the National Lottery. The awards are also supported by the media commission, Coimisiún na Meán.
A total of 727 entries were made across 19 competitive categories.
Reporter Rebekah O’Reilly is shortlisted for the award for Best Diversity Journalism, for a portfolio of articles, while the Westmeath Independent is also a finalist in the Best Front Page category, for a front page last October on the Athlone Town women's team's league and cup double success.
President of Local Ireland and Managing Director of The Southern Star, Seán Mahon, said: “It's great to see these important awards continuing to thrive.
“The evidence is clear - this year saw the highest number of entries we've ever received across all the different categories.
“However, they all share one thing in common, the vitally important role we have in serving local communities by communicating the news that matters to our readers' lives. Thank you to everyone who entered and good luck to those nominated as finalists.”
The awards include a Lifetime Achievement award that is presented on behalf of the Local Ireland committee and there is also a Best Community Story award, selected by a panel from the National Lottery.
National Lottery Head of Corporate Affairs Jennifer Crowe said: "This year's shortlist for the National Lottery Best Community Story reflects the strength and spirit of communities across Ireland.
“Through the lens of local journalism, we see people coming together, supporting one another, and making a real difference in the lives of those around them.
“Local journalism plays a vital role in helping to uncover these stories and ensure the people behind them are recognised. It's an honour to help celebrate their impact."
Chair of the judging panel Dawn Wheatley of Dublin City University School of Communications said:
"Once again, the quality of entries this year has been exceptional. Our judging panel had a genuinely difficult task narrowing down the shortlist, with several categories more competitive than ever.
“It's a real credit to the reporters, photographers, editors, production and commercial staff involved that standards continue to rise year on year.
These entries are proof that trusted, on-the-ground journalism still matters enormously to the communities it serves, holding power to account, telling the stories that matter, and giving an essential voice to their readers."
The judging panel also includes RTÉ presenter and journalist Katie Hannon, Managing Editor of journal.ie Susan Daly, RTÉ presenter and journalist Sarah McInerney, Emeritus Professor at TUD Michael Foley, photographer and former Irish Times Picture Editor Frank Miller, broadcaster and writer Valerie Cox, journalist and author PJ Cunningham, novelist and newspaper columnist Dr Martina Devlin, DCU lecturer and former journalist Conor Tiernan, Policy Editor of the Business Post Daniel Murray, Deputy Night Editor of the Irish Sun Gerry McCarthy and Managing Director of Kinetic Ireland Andrew Sinclair.
The award winners will be announced at a gala event at the Mullingar Park Hotel on September 17 which will be hosted by RTÉ Lyric Fm presenter Marty Whelan.