RTÉ gems bag prestigious Europa award

Richard Collins shares his inside view as a juror in the competition.

CONGRATULATIONS to Veronica Coburn and Kevin Reynolds of RTÉ on winning the prestigious radio drama award at the Prix Europa in Berlin last week.The festival is held in the historic Haus des Rundfunks. With awards for television radio and internet programmes in eight categories, this event showcases the finest productions of the previous 12 months. RTÉ’s Mayday, set against the background of the general election earlier this year, took the prize in a field of 40.

The environment figured prominently in the internet exploration category, which focuses on ways to use the web. RTÉ’s Mooney Webcam Bluetits was one of 38 entries shortlisted. This reality TV show, featuring a pair of bluetits nesting in Derek Mooney’s back garden, was streamed live on the web last spring. The antics of the birds went down well with competition jurors.