Sustainability and housing crisis entries win 2022 Press Council student bursary awards

‘New blood entering the journalism profession is vital’ - council chairman

Ireland’s student journalists have been honoured at a ceremony in Dublin with stories on sustainable development and the housing crisis attracting the attention of the judging panel.

Laura Klepeisz, a student at Dublin City University, was awarded first prize at the annual Press Council of Ireland student bursary awards.

Ms Klepeisz, who is studying for a masters in journalism, submitted four articles focusing on sustainable development which were described as “riveting features articles about the biggest crisis facing the world” by the external independent assessor for the bursaries and former managing editor of Independent News & Media, Michael Denieffe. She received an award of €1,000 at a ceremony in Buswell’s Hotel in Dublin.

Runner-up was Julianne Doyle who is studying for a higher national diploma in journalism at Coláiste Dhúlaigh in Coolock, Dublin. She submitted articles and a podcast on the subject of the Housing Assistance Payment (Hap) scheme. Mr Denieffe described Ms Doyle’s journalism as “startling, very good and a challenging insight into the housing crisis”. She received a prize of €500

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“New blood entering the journalism profession is vital and the Press Council is committed to engagement with media students through the bursary scheme and through presentations to media students at the nine colleges in Ireland that provide media studies courses,” said Rory Montgomery chairman of the Press Council of Ireland, who added that he had been encouraged by the high standard of submissions in 2022.

Conor Pope

Conor Pope

Conor Pope is Consumer Affairs Correspondent, Pricewatch Editor and cohost of the In the News podcast