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Belfast Live reporter crowned Journalist of the Year at CIPR Northern Ireland Media Awards

Posted By:
Reach

21st Mar 2024

A Belfast Live reporter has scooped a new title as he was crowned Journalist of the Year at the CIPR Northern Ireland Media Awards.

James McCarthy, 26, from West Belfast was named as the winner at a glitzy awards bash at The Mac in Belfast on Friday, March 15.

Following a hiatus of eight years, the NI Media Awards returned last week where Northern Ireland’s best and brightest journalists and media organisations gathered to celebrate another incredible year of bringing the people of Northern Ireland the latest news across all platforms in print, digital and broadcast.

Speaking following James’ impressive win, Belfast Live Editor Sheena McStravick said: “Everyone at Belfast Live is delighted to see James’ hard work recognised with this award. He was in a very tough category against a group of very talented and experienced journalists, so to see James claim the title in a testament to his hard-work and dedication to his craft.

“James joined us just a year ago having previously worked at the Andersonstown News and it’s been brilliant to watch him flourish and really thrive in the ever-changing digital media world. We know this is just the beginning of many more accolades to come for James.”

James expressed his shock on winning the award and reflected on the reasons why he wanted to get into journalism in the first instance.

He said: “To have been shortlisted alongside some of the best journalists in Northern Ireland was an achievement but to win journalist of the year at the age of 26 and only three years into my career was totally unexpected.

“It can often be a cliché to say that you have always wanted to do the job that you do, but for myself some of the earliest memories I have are of telling people that I wanted to be a journalist.

“Having grown up in the heart of West Belfast, I saw many people within my community who were facing injustice. From those who suffered as a result of the Government’s austerity policies to those who lost loved ones during the conflict in Northern Ireland and have been seeking truth and justice ever since.

“I view journalism as an opportunity to give those individuals and individuals across Norhtern Ireland a voice to hold those accountable to challenge and while it is a phenomenal achievement to have won Journalist of The Year, this award would be nothing without each and every person who has trusted me to tell their story to date.”