Irish Examiner: Newspaper of the Year

THE Irish Examiner has been chosen as Ireland’s Newspaper of the Year for 2009.

The award, sponsored by TV3, was given for the newspaper’s dedication to offering a different perspective to readers and for dealing with issues other papers often ignore.

Announced on Vincent Browne’s Tonight show on TV3, the award was accepted by the newspaper’s editor, Tim Vaughan, who said it reflected the work ethic and dedication of the Irish Examiner staff.

“We try to set our own agenda and we do not blindly follow what other media are doing. I believe our readers appreciate this. We also have a first-class news team and I think this award shows the level of talent there. I am delighted to accept the award on their behalf.”

The judges chose the Irish Examiner for the way it deals with issues that other newspapers have not addressed, such as how the recession has led to an increase in domestic violence.

Another example given was the newspaper’s exposé of how some people were being forced to use moneylenders because they cannot get access to credit through the mainstream banking system.

A study by the Irish Examiner revealed families on low incomes who had to resort to moneylenders were being charged up to 200% interest on loans.

Vincent Browne said the Irish Examiner had treated, in particular, its front page stories in a different and innovative way and gave prominence to stories that do not feature largely in other newspapers, a recent suicide supplement being a case in point.

Other awards announced on Tonight with Vincent Browne included one for Best Story which went to Ken Foxe of the Sunday Tribune for his persistence in revealing the extent of former Dáil Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue’s expenses. Brendan Keenan, group economics editor of the Independent Newspapers, was the winner of Best Journalist of the Year award.

Frank Miller, picture editor of the Irish Times, accepted the Best Photograph award on behalf of Matt Kavanagh for his photograph of an abuse survivor being comforted by another survivor of abuse. Judges felt it captured the harm and hurt sexual abuse of children suffer.

The sculpted awards were made from Mullingar Pewter.