Northern Ireland

Irish News honoured at Regional Press Awards in London

Mal McCann was won the social media journalist of the year accolade
Mal McCann was won the social media journalist of the year accolade Mal McCann was won the social media journalist of the year accolade

IRISH News journalists have been recognised for their work at the Regional Press Awards in London.

Mal McCann won the social media journalist of the year accolade at the prestigious event yesterday.

He said he was "absolutely over the moon" to receive the award after judges praised how he was able to "expertly use image and video to tell stories and engage with audiences".

In a successful day for the photographer, Mal was also highly commended in the photographer of the year category, with the judges singling him out for his "powerful images".

Mal McCann pictured with LBC radio presenter Nick Ferrari
Mal McCann pictured with LBC radio presenter Nick Ferrari Mal McCann pictured with LBC radio presenter Nick Ferrari

The event, organised by the Society of Editors, celebrates the best of regional and local newspaper journalism in 2018 for print, online and other news platforms.

The winners were announced during a lunchtime ceremony at IET, Savoy Place, hosted by LBC radio presenter Nick Ferrari.

In other success for the Irish News, Neil Loughran was highly commended in the sports journalist of the year for a daily newspaper with the judges praising his "great storytelling".

A selection of award-winning Irish News photographer Mal McCann's work 
A selection of award-winning Irish News photographer Mal McCann's work  A selection of award-winning Irish News photographer Mal McCann's work 

Andy Watters had also been shortlisted in the daily sports journalist of the year section, while sub-editor Kevin Farrell also made the shortlist in the designer of the year section.

Security correspondent Allison Morris, reporter Brendan Hughes and Weekend columnist Jake O'Kane were also shortlisted for awards.

During the ceremony yesterday, murdered journalist Lyra McKee was honoured posthumously, with her mother Joan and sister Nicola accepting the Journalists’ Charity Award on her behalf.

Lyra Mckee’s mother Joan and sister Nicola accepted the award at the ceremony yesterday. Picture by Mal McCann
Lyra Mckee’s mother Joan and sister Nicola accepted the award at the ceremony yesterday. Picture by Mal McCann Lyra Mckee’s mother Joan and sister Nicola accepted the award at the ceremony yesterday. Picture by Mal McCann

Other Northern Ireland award winners included the Belfast Telegraph was named daily/Sunday newspaper of the year while the Newry Reporter picked up the award for Campaign of the Year for Weekly Papers for its 'Newry Clean-Up'.

Judges said the image, entitled 'Three Generations' was a 'beautifully composed picture'. Picture by Mal McCann
Judges said the image, entitled 'Three Generations' was a 'beautifully composed picture'. Picture by Mal McCann Judges said the image, entitled 'Three Generations' was a 'beautifully composed picture'. Picture by Mal McCann
Mal McCann's picture won first prize in the features category. Picture by Mal McCann
Mal McCann's picture won first prize in the features category. Picture by Mal McCann Mal McCann's picture won first prize in the features category. Picture by Mal McCann
St Brides pupils Techin and Natthawut McGarvey carry the Raffo Cup after their school won the Cumann na mBunscoil A League Final in Belfast Picture Mal McCann.
St Brides pupils Techin and Natthawut McGarvey carry the Raffo Cup after their school won the Cumann na mBunscoil A League Final in Belfast Picture Mal McCann. St Brides pupils Techin and Natthawut McGarvey carry the Raffo Cup after their school won the Cumann na mBunscoil A League Final in Belfast Picture Mal McCann.
DUP leader Arlene Foster gets a henna tattoo from Syifaa Nabir at an event marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Picture by Mal McCann.
DUP leader Arlene Foster gets a henna tattoo from Syifaa Nabir at an event marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Picture by Mal McCann. DUP leader Arlene Foster gets a henna tattoo from Syifaa Nabir at an event marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Picture by Mal McCann.
Prince Charles helped put the finishing touches to a tiny wheelbarrow being constructed by members of a Men's Shed project during his visit to Co Tyrone Picture by Mal McCann.
Prince Charles helped put the finishing touches to a tiny wheelbarrow being constructed by members of a Men's Shed project during his visit to Co Tyrone Picture by Mal McCann. Prince Charles helped put the finishing touches to a tiny wheelbarrow being constructed by members of a Men's Shed project during his visit to Co Tyrone Picture by Mal McCann.
A dog takes up position on a Vespa bike as up to 2,000-3,000 Vespa enthusiasts arrive in Belfast for the the Vespa World Days event being held Belfast for the first time. Picture by Mal McCann
A dog takes up position on a Vespa bike as up to 2,000-3,000 Vespa enthusiasts arrive in Belfast for the the Vespa World Days event being held Belfast for the first time. Picture by Mal McCann A dog takes up position on a Vespa bike as up to 2,000-3,000 Vespa enthusiasts arrive in Belfast for the the Vespa World Days event being held Belfast for the first time. Picture by Mal McCann