THE UlsterHerald's Mark McKelvey has been named Weekly Journalist of the Year in this year's Coca Cola-sponsored Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Press and Broadcast Awards.
A total of 19 awards were presented at Friday's gala ceremony compèred by RTE's Miriam O'Callaghan at the Hastings Europa Hotel, Belfast.
Mark was chosen by a judging panel – which included some of the most respected journalists in Britain and Ireland – for his stories about terminally ill Omagh toddler, Billy Caldwell.
The panel's citation read, "In a strong field, Mark did what all good weekly newspaper journalists do – he found an important and fascinating human story which spoke to the paper's community; he told that story; and then he built a campaign around it in which all could participate. He handled it with sensitivity but passion, and helped make the life of one boy, and that of his parents, so much better.
"And you know that Mark did all this, not because it was a great story, but for the family involved, and because the community cares."
UH editor Darach MacDonald said the entire staff of the newspaper is celebrating Mark's achievement and recognition.
"Since Mark joined the Herald in 2006, he has brought a huge boost of energy and enthusiasm to the paper," said Mr MacDonald. "Above all, though, Mark shows in his work how deeply he cares for his local community here in Omagh and for those in it, like little Billy, who need our help.
"He more than deserves this reconition for his work," said the editor.
Meanwhile, this year's top award - the Coca Cola CIPR Northern Ireland Journalist of the Year – went to David McKittrick, Ireland correspondent of The Independent. The Daily Newspaper of the Year award was won by the Irish News while the County Down Spectator picked up the Weekly Newspaper of the Year title.
Other top winners included Martin Breen for Scoop of the Year and Print News Journalist of the Year and the Belfast Telegraph's Chrissie Russell who was named Newcomer of the Year title and winner of the Martin O'Hagan Memorial Bursary.
A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Malcolm Brodie who held the position of sports editor of the Belfast Telegraph for more than 40 years until he retired from full time work at the paper in 1991.
In addition to the coveted title of Journalist of the Year, David McKittrick was also named Feature Journalist of the Year. The judging panel described him as:
"A brilliant commentator on Northern Ireland's rapidly changing history who finds new ways to reflect life in the Province to a wider audience. He has moved with the times to shine his journalistic light into unexpected corners. David is a journalist with insight and superb style that you are compelled to read to the last paragraph."
The panel also paid tribute to the Newspaper of the Year, the Irish News which it described as an elegant, serious newspaper that is required reading. The citation read:
"It continues to evolve as society changes, providing a comprehensive package of news, features and special sections that reflects the new Northern Ireland community. Tabloid in format, it retains its serious values as it broadens its scope. It is a paper of record with serious interest and a good news sense."
Meanwhile, in a close-run contest, The County Down Spectator took the Weekly Newspaper of the Year category because, the judging panel said, "it is a traditional local newspaper that is brilliantly executed."
"Retaining solid local newspaper values and easy to read, it has all the news the community could want and displays an ability and agility to respond to breaking news on deadline."
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Maire Campbell, public affairs and communications manager of main sponsor, Coca Cola Bottlers (Ulster) Ltd, congratulated all those who had taken part.
"As a global brand operating locally, genuine community investment is a strategic priority for us, and we are honored to pledge our support to the CIPR Press and Broadcast Awards 2008/9.
"We are pleased to pay tribute to the many talented individuals from the world of press and broadcast in Northern Ireland," added Maire.
Conall McDevitt, chair of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) NI thanked Coca Cola for sponsoring the awards along with the event's associate sponsors Belleek Living, Bombardier, Harrison Photography, MCI Belfast, Musgrave Retail Partners NI, Phoenix Natural Gas, SBD Events, S Hill and Company, Smarts and Spar.
Conall commented: "I thank each and every member of the media who entered the press and broadcast awards which are the only ones anywhere in these islands to be organised by the public relations profession
"Your determination to compete and your desire to excel has characterised this occasion since its inception 15 years ago.
"Thank you for making this night a special one. And most of all, for filling our lives with news and gossip and something to argue about," added Conall.
