Global Radio have picked up two of the five prizes at this year’s IRN News Awards.
Declan Harvey from LBC was named Young Journalist of the Year, while the Capital FM East Midlands newsroom picked up Best Newsteam.
GMG took one award as Real Radio North West’s Katie Collins was named Reporter of the Year. Bauer picked up one – for Key 103’s Paul Lockitt who won Newsreader of the Year. The other category, Best Original News Story, was won by Isle of Wight Radio for a report on Legal Highs.
This year’s IRN Gold Award was presented to Tom Ross, who is this month marking 30 years at BRMB where he is the sports editor. He was honoured for his passion and commitment in radio since his first Birmingham City commentary in 1977.
Tim Molloy, IRN Managing Director said: “The winners represent the very best in radio journalism; in particular they illustrate what commercial radio news teams can achieve from relatively few resources through their flexibility, work-ethic and commitment to listeners. They are the unsung heroes of commercial radio and the reason why the IRN Awards are back after a two year absence, so hearty congratulations to the winners and runners up, commiserations to the other nominees and a huge thank you to everyone who entered.
Today’s IRN Awards were hosted by Sky News TV presenter Charlotte Hawkins and included a morning session looking at issues including social media’s role in radio news and a review of the year at IRN. You can relive the day on our [link=https://radiotoday.co.uk/live/]live blog coverage[/link], look at the [link=http://www.flickr.com/photos/radiophotos/sets/72157626215910958/]photos[/link], or listen to our [link=http://vry.gd/PWg]audio interviews[/link] with the winners.
What the judges said about the winners…
[b]Young Journalist of the Year: Declan Harvey, LBC/Global Radio Newsroom[/b]
The judges praised his energy and on-air confidence, saying the entry featured “great attention-grabbing colour-pieces, creative packages and obvious understanding of the importance of multi-platform work, delivered with tremendous panache.”
Runner up was Sarah Cooper, Hallam FM
[b]Best Original News Story: Isle of Wight Radio for Legal Highs[/b]
The judges described it as “a highly produced piece which put a genuinely local slant on a national story.”
Runner up was Cockermouth Floods from CFM
[b]Reporter of the Year: Katie Collins of Real Radio North West[/b]
The judges were particularly impressed by the way she had spent months winning the trust of the father of a murdered three-year old which paid off with a sympathetic, heart-wrenching and ear-catching interview.
Runner up was Vicky Lee, Real Radio Scotland
[b]Newsreader of the Year: Paul Lockitt from Key 103[/b]
Judges described Paul as having the knack of finding exactly the right word or phrase to grab and maintain the listener’s attention.
Runner up was Helen Catt, Spirit FM
[b]Best Newsteam: Capital FM East Midlands[/b]
The judges said: “The report about a violent video of boys punching each other in school posted on YouTube was an outstanding piece of journalism.”
Runner up was Key 103