'Timely, accurate journalism more important than ever'
Announcing the winners of the 2022 Justice Media Awards (JMAs), the Law Society has said that accurate and timely journalism has never been so important in this country.
鈥淲e have a long history of championing the highest standards of legal journalism, and we are grateful to celebrate excellence in Irish journalism again this year,鈥 the Law Society said today (22 June).
The JMAs celebrate the important role journalists play in society, breaking down barriers, shaping discourse, and helping to uphold standards and accountability in the public domain.
This year saw a record 277 entries across 15 award categories, which included two new categories 鈥 podcast and environmental/climate justice reporting. The first-ever published shortlist totalled 106 entries.
The purpose and goal of the awards are to promote the highest standards in legal journalism, and to foster greater public understanding of the law, the legal system or a specific legal issue.
The Law Society expressed its sincere congratulations to all of the 2022 winners, and thanked all who entered.
鈥淭he calibre of the stories we read, heard and watched makes clear that legal journalism in Ireland is of a truly excellent standard,鈥 the organisers said.
鈥淲e look forward to next year鈥檚 event, when we can continue to recognise the best in legal journalism,鈥 the Law Society concluded.
Overall winners
The overall winners of the Justice Media Awards 2022, from the print and online daily journalism category, are Mary Carolan and Simon Carswell for their Irish Times article, 鈥業nside the District Courts鈥.
This year鈥檚 overall winning entry was earmarked as an excellent piece of journalism, long before it reached the Justice Media Awards.
Highlighting ongoing issues within the Courts Service, this article offered unique insights and access to the judiciary. To achieve this access, it is clear that trust had been established, and that the reputation of the journalists preceded them.
Sunday media
The JMA in the Print/Online Journalism (Sunday) category goes to Peter O鈥橠wyer of the Business Post for his excellent article: 鈥楶andemic losses case 鈥 the pub, the patrons and the Premier League thriller鈥, which was a series of articles about the landmark business interruption test case between FBD and publicans.
The judges said: 鈥淭his was an in-depth examination of the issues surrounding the crucially-important business interruption test case. The scale of legal content and the impressive dissection of the legal arguments in the case stood out.鈥
Three merit certificates are awarded to:
- Barry J Whyte for his Business Post special report: 鈥楾he rise of paedophile hunters: heroes or misguided amateurs?鈥,
- Catherine Sanz for her Business Post special report: 鈥楬ow the justice system fails victims鈥, and
- Michael Doyle of the Irish Sun for his special report: 鈥楬istory of DNA in Irish criminal trials鈥.
Local radio
The Justice Media Award in the Broadcast Journalism (local radio) category goes to Daniel Considine, Kevin McGillicuddy, Anne Norris, Kevin McDermott, Joe Finnegan and Tommy Stenson of Shannonside FM for their series of reports: 鈥楳aking and breaking the law鈥.
One merit certificate is awarded to Sin茅ad Hubble, Ellen Butler, Robert Fahy and Will Faulkner for their Midlands 103 special report: 鈥楳aking a will鈥.
The judges praised a digestible exploration of key legal issues that affect listeners in all aspects of life, from understanding the criminal justice system to answering questions on key legal rights.
鈥淭his series of reports goes to the heart of the Justice Media Awards criteria. This is public-service journalism that explains legal issues clearly, and increases our collective understanding of the law. It is encouraging to see regular legal features across local radio,鈥 the judges said.
The Justice Media Award for Human Rights/Social Justice Reporting (print/online) goes to Maria Delaney and Michelle Hennessy of Noteworthy and TheJournal.ie for their report: 鈥楻evolving door: Traveller women imprisoned for minor offences such as driving without tax鈥.
The judges said: 鈥淭his story highlighted the abuse of the law and the social impact this has on Travellers in the justice system. By giving a voice to a minority group within society, this is a textbook example of why this category is important. A top pick.鈥
Two merit certificates are awarded to:
- Jenny Friel for her Irish Daily Mail special report: 鈥楤loody Sunday 鈥 50 years seeking justice鈥,
- Shamim Malekmian for a Dublin Inquirer special report: 鈥楧ozens of migrant children have gone missing while in the State鈥檚 care in recent years鈥.
Student journalism award
Now in its second year, the Student Journalism category recognises emerging talent and the future of legal journalism.
The Justice Media Award goes to Kinga Piotrowska, Natasha Lynch, Shauna Ledwidge, Jane Moore and Carenza Rock of TheJournal.ie for 鈥楾wo years on: Ireland is 鈥榝ailing to act in spirit鈥 of agreement to help women escaping domestic violence鈥.
鈥淭his four-month investigative article focuses on the lack of refuge for women fleeing domestic violence in Ireland. And it is on par with any established professional quality journalism today. It clearly highlights how Ireland is worryingly contravening the Istanbul Convention, and is doing important work by highlighting this issue in the public domain.鈥
One merit certificate is awarded to Ellen O鈥橰egan of FLIRT FM for her special report: 鈥楤ack to Bunreacht鈥.
Daily journalism
The Justice Media Award winners in the Print/Online Journalism (Daily) category are:
- Mary Carolan and Simon Carswell of The Irish Times for 鈥業nside the District Courts鈥.
The judges said: 鈥淭hese seasoned journalists have delivered yet another piece of public-service journalism that broadens our understanding of the District Court.
鈥淭his detailed exploration of the work of the District Courts includes valuable insights from key figures, and highlights the growing resourcing issues facing the Courts Service. It was a standout piece.鈥
Two merit certificates are awarded to:
- R贸n谩n Duffy for his Journal.ie report: 鈥楩actCheck: does Irish law allow for 鈥榞ender-selection abortions鈥?鈥
- Shane Phelan for his Irish Independent special report: 鈥楾he Quinns win 鈥榬ight to be forgotten鈥.鈥
National radio broadcast journalism
The Justice Media Award winner in this category is Frank Greaney for his special report on the Today FM Dermot & Dave Show 鈥 鈥Sub judice: what can and can鈥檛 be said when a case is live鈥.
The judges said: 鈥淭his special report examines the rule of sub judice and the importance of obeying it in the wake of Ashling Murphy鈥檚 murder.鈥
鈥淭his seasoned journalist has, once again, thought outside the box with his legal reporting to clearly explain the concept of sub judice and the consequences of failing to follow it.
鈥淏y delivering this report on an entertainment show, the report has reached a younger audience base and, crucially, has increased the public鈥檚 understanding of this legal concept. This approach should be applauded.鈥
Three merit certificates are awarded to:
- Katie Hannon and Tom Donnelly for their RT脡 Radio 1 special report: 鈥榃omen of honour鈥,
- Brian O鈥機onnell for his Today With Claire Byrne on RT脡 Radio 1 special report: 鈥楧omestic violence during COVID鈥,
- Nicoline Greer, Ronan Kelly and Liam O鈥橞rien for their RT脡 Radio 1 special report: 鈥楧ocumentary On One: GunPlot鈥.
TV and video broadcast journalism
The Justice Media Award goes to Medb Johnstone, Ann N铆 Ch铆obh谩in, Mike Keane, Derek Pelly and Joe Edwards of Midas Productions for their TG4 documentary: 鈥Misneach 鈥 Tom Clonan鈥.
The judges said: 鈥淭his Irish language documentary details the response of a whistleblower鈥檚 research, which uncovered a culture of discrimination, harassment, bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault directed at female members of the Defence Forces.鈥
鈥淭his captivating story was told in an exceptional way. It was digestible and covered issued that are still prevailing today.鈥
Five merit certificates are awarded to:
Frank Shouldice, Kieran Dineen, Matt Naughton, Martin Vale and Paul Maguire for their RT脡 Investigates special report: 鈥榃ardship 鈥 the decision-makers鈥,
- John Downes, Mick Peelo, Eanya Gallagher, Darragh Byrne and Sean Mac Giolla Ph谩draig for their RT脡 special report: 鈥楥rimes and Confessions鈥,
- Mostafa Darwish, Mostafa Younis and Omar Emam for their Irish Examiner special report: 鈥楧eath in direct provision鈥,
- Miriam O鈥機allaghan and Samantha Bourke for their Prime Time special report, 鈥楾he McGinley tragedy鈥,
- Se谩n Dunne, Claire Brock and Joan McKenna for The Tonight Show on Virgin Media special report: 鈥楽urrogacy legislation 鈥榰rgently鈥 needed in Ireland鈥.
Human rights and social justice reporting (broadcast)
The Justice Media Award winners are Barry O鈥橩elly, David Doran, Ann Kiernan, Paul Maguire and Darren Chan of RT脡 Investigates for 鈥楧omestic Abuse 鈥 A Year of Crisis鈥.
The judges said: 鈥淭his is an extraordinary documentary that details the increase of those seeking help in escaping abusive partners. The story highlights the recently enshrined crime of coercive control, and spotlights outreach services available.鈥
鈥淎mplifying the voices of the victims made for considered and emotive storytelling, all the while examining the bigger legal issues at play here. This piece highlights the lack of places victims can go when suffering from domestic abuse. This was a stand-out piece.鈥
Two merit certificates are awarded to:
- Mairead Twohig for her 96 FM and C103 special report: 鈥楽anitary products 鈥淭hey should be free鈥,
- Laura Fletcher, Magnus Kelly, Stuart Halligan, Rob Reilly, Cliona Higgins, Eimear Boyle and Will Lett for their RT脡 news special report: 鈥楢fghanistan: fleeing the Taliban鈥.
International justice reporting
The Justice Media Award winners are Roisin O鈥橠ea, Nicoline Greer and Peadar Carney for their podcast: 鈥楧ocumentary on One: 尝鈥橝驳谤别蝉蝉颈辞苍鈥.
The judges said: 鈥淭his was an excellent podcast that told the story of an Irish woman who was brutally attacked in her home in Paris
鈥淒etailing this heart-wrenching and dramatic story, the podcast format leaves the listener gripped on the secrets and lies told, and questioning who to believe. It is a story of courage and resilience that focuses on the victim of crime.鈥
One merit certificate is awarded to: Fearghal O鈥機onnor for his Sunday Independent special report: 鈥楿nravelling the web of Irish connections behind the Dolphin property collapse鈥.
Local print and online journalism
The Justice Media Award winner is Ronan Dodd of the Tipperary Star for his reporting on: 鈥楾he criminal system and mental health鈥.
The judges felt that: 鈥淭his classic reporting shone a light on how mental illness collides with the criminal-justice system. It is excellent reporting on a serious and relevant issue, which is not covered much elsewhere. A stand-out winner.鈥
Two merit certificates are awarded:
- Ciara McCaughley of the Roscommon Herald for her special report: 鈥楻oscommon woman recounts 20 years of coercive control to help others鈥,
- Laoise Neylon of the Dublin Inquirer for 鈥楾enants can鈥檛 take their landlords to the RTB because they can鈥檛 find them鈥.
Court reporting, print and online
The Justice Media Award winner is Isabel Hayes of The Irish Times for reporting on the 鈥楳unster abuse trial: 鈥淚t was the quietest house ... there was nothing鈥.鈥
The judges felt: 鈥淭his was a harrowing and disturbing long read, but it was crucial that the story was covered. Demonstrating high-quality, exceptional journalism, the content stuck with the judges for days on end.鈥
Four merit certificates are awarded to:
- Catherine Fegan for her Irish Independent special report: 鈥楰evin Lunney takes the stand in abduction trial鈥,
- Declan Brennan for his Irish Times special report: 鈥楳y name is Aisling鈥,
- Shane Phelan for his Irish Independent report: 鈥楢natomy of a fraud: 鈥淗ow I stole 鈧1.1m from charity B贸thar鈥,鈥
- Stephen Breen for his Irish Sun series of court reporting.
Environmental and climate justice reporting
The first-ever winner of this Justice Media Award is Laura Roddy for her article in The Currency titled, 鈥楩rom project to planning and policy: what the battle for Belview means for industrial development鈥.
The judges said: 鈥淭his long-form article provides a detailed explanation into how an An Taisce challenge fits into an ongoing trend in Ireland, and globally, of climate activists challenging environmental policy through individual projects.
鈥淭he journalist includes significant legal content, and tackles a story that will likely become more prolific over time. Similar cases will be significant for lawyers in this area going forward.
A merit certificate goes to Sarah Taaffe-Maguire for her Business Post special report: 鈥楾he amount of renewable energy declared by providers is substantially higher than official figures鈥.
Broadcast journalism (podcast)
The Justice Media Award goes to Catherine Sanz, Peter Leonard and Mark Tottenham of the Business Post for their series: 鈥楲aw on Trial鈥.
The judges said: 鈥淒iscussing topical subjects in a straightforward manner offers deeper understanding of complex legal issues, as well as access to guests who are influential in the legal world. It鈥檚 timely and relevant鈥.
Two merit certificates are awarded to:
- James Leonard, Timothy Long and Rowan Meegan for their Two Norries podcast: 鈥楾he reality of coercive control and domestic violence鈥,
- Joseph O鈥機allaghan, Ian Maleney, Jane Gogan, Nicola Tallant, Niamh Corcoran, Brendan Jenkinson, for 鈥楾he Witness: in his own words鈥.
Newcomer of the year
The Justice Media Award goes to Lauren Boland of TheJournal.ie for her articles 鈥楨mployers鈥 legal responsibilities in the return to workplaces鈥, 鈥楢nti-LGBT+ legislation in Hungary鈥, and 鈥楥limate legislation in Ireland鈥.
The judges said: 鈥淭his newcomer produced an excellent body of work on a diverse and engaging range of topics. She has a clear talent for explaining legal concepts well. She writes like a veteran.鈥
Four merit certificates are awarded:
- Patrick O鈥橠onoghue of The Times Ireland,
- Conor Courtney of Irish Legal News,
- Danny De Vaal of The Irish Sun,
- Robert Fahy of Midlands 103.