Radio professionals from the UK and Ireland have joined the international jury for the 2027 New York Festivals Radio Awards.
The panel brings together more than 100 audio professionals from over 20 countries to assess work across broadcasting, podcasts, news, documentary and entertainment, as the competition prepares to mark 70 years since its launch in 1957.
Among the UK representatives are Stuart Davies, content manager at Virgin Radio UK, Rob Dowell, executive producer at BBC Radio, and Dylan Haskins, commissioning executive for podcasts at BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Live. BBC World Service executive producer Krisztina Satori and Magnum Opus Broadcasting founder Steve Levine are also on the jury.
Ireland is represented by Niall Delaney, chief executive of Ocean FM, Padraic Flaherty, head of operations and group programming director in Clare, and Ken Sweeney of The Irish Sun. International members include Steve Ahern of Radioinfo and Radio Today in Australia and Rory Belfi of SiriusXM in the United States.
Judges will consider production, creative execution, presentation, direction, writing, achievement of purpose and audience relevance, with entries assessed online.
Rose Anderson, executive vice president of New York Festivals, said its advisory board helps ensure the categories “reflect our commitment to the power of the individual voice”.
A new AwareNow Award will be introduced in 2027 for health and medical storytelling across the radio and television competitions. The National Press Club’s recognition for audio journalism and the JusticeAid social justice award will also feature.
Entries close on 31 January 2027, with winners announced during the virtual Storytellers Gala on Thursday 20 May 2027. The event will feature acceptance speeches and commentary from people involved in the work.
