Hugh Russell, who passed away last year, was recognised for the achievements of his working life at the CIPR Media Awards in Belfast on Friday.
His daughter Hayley and son Hugh accepted the lifetime achievement award on behalf of their father, who died after a short illness last October.
Noel Doran, editor of the Irish News for 25 years, was also honoured with a lifetime achievement award. Cahair O’Kane was named sports journalist of the year.
The loss of Hugh Russell...sent shockwaves across the local media as well as among those involved in public relations, Brittany Breslin, CIPR chair, told the audience at the MAC in Belfast.
“An award-winning photographer with The Irish News for over 40 years, Hugh’s disposition behind the lens on the beat or at a photo shoot was a far cry from his warrior persona in the boxing ring. He was a titan in both arenas, with the heart of a lion,” Ms Breslin said.
“Hugh’s vast portfolio of photography highlights the absolute ups and downs of life in Northern Ireland. From our darkest days to our biggest triumphs, Hugh was there to document with his eagle eye and good humour.
“He will be remembered as an outstanding photographer, a one of a kind sportsman, a fierce ally in the newsroom, and a warm friend of PR professionals across Northern Ireland.
“It can be best summed by his beloved colleagues at The Irish news: Hugh was ‘A Man Loved By All.’”
Irish News editor Noel Doran said he was “greatly honoured” to receive the lifetime achievement award but “it was a particular privilege to follow the family of my old friend, the late Hugh Russell, on to the stage”.
“I was delighted that Hugh’s career achievements were recognised by the CIPR and I would also pay tribute to the two other wonderful colleagues we lost last year, Dawn Egan and Lorraine McCarthy.”
Mr Doran has overseen more than 7,000 editions over 25 years at the helm of The Irish News. He joined the pap;r in 1993 as deputy editor after time in the Antrim Guardian, the Ballymena Observer, the Belfast Telegraph and as news editor with Downtown Radio/Cool FM.
“As well as overseeing major changes to its print and online editions over the last quarter of a century, Noel has played a pivotal role in shaping public discourse through often choppy political waters from the period of the Good Friday Agreement and restoration of devolved government to today,” Ms Breslin said.
“Under his stewardship the title has amassed a raft of regional and UK awards for its content and design, including from CIPR, and last year The Irish News reached another landmark when it became the best-selling regional paper in the UK and Ireland for the first time in its history.”
Mr Doran was voted regional editor of the century by readers of the Hold the Front Page website.