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UL journalism students have secured nominations in 12 separate categories in the National Student Media Awards. Limerick Voice, the award-winning multimedia news platform, has been shortlisted for several awards including, Best Newspaper, Best Layout and Design and Website of the Year. The Second-year journalism Magazine Eclectic has also been nominated for Magazine of the Year. Limerick Voice newspaper and online editors Jack McKay and Magdalena Tanneberger have both been nominated for Editor of the Year.
Sports reporter John O'Donnell has been nominated for Sportswriter of the year along with Jack McKay and fourth year journalism student Leah Hogarty and Alison Reeves have been shortlisted for Podcast of the Year. Limerick Voice multimedia reporter Anna Powell has been shortlisted in three separate categories including, Journalist of the Year National Media. Shew was also shortlisted in the Journalism Relating to Road Safety category – an award named after UL journalism student Joe Drennan who died tragically in 2023.
"It’s great to see so many nominations for students across our journalism undergraduate degree programme in UL. From second year right up to final year, our students are already being recognised by national media industry figures who are involved in the judging process for the SMEDIAs. It’s a wonderful validation for all of our students, particularly those who are preparing to enter the world of work in the coming weeks,” said Dr Kathryn Hayes, Course Director BA Journalism and Digital Communication.
The National Student Media Awards or the SMEDIAs as they are known, is the largest competition of its kind in Ireland, dedicated to recognising and celebrating the next generation of media talent. Open to students from every college across Ireland the awards are judged by key media industry leaders including Mark Hennessey, Ireland and Britain Editor of The Irish Time, Editor of The Irish Times. The 25th edition of the National Student Media Awards takes place on Wednesday April 9th next at the Mansion House in Dublin