The editor of the Sunday Business PostCliff Taylor welcomed the Supreme Court ruling as a good day for journalism.
The National Union of Journalists and the National Newspapers of Ireland, the organisation that represents daily, Sunday and national weekly newspapers, also said they were very pleased with the court decision.
Speaking after the judgment, Mr Taylor said he was particularly happy with the terms of the Supreme Court ruling. He highlighted the finding in the majority decision, that the order sought by the Mahon tribunal would have restricted freedom of expression.
Mr Taylor said the Supreme Court had indicated it would be slow to do anything that would restrict the freedom of the press and it would certainly need a good argument to do so. He said it was not well known that the tribunal order had affected all media and was not just confined to the Sunday Business Post.
"I was very happy with the original decision of the High Court and I am very pleased that this has been upheld by the Supreme Court. This is an important day for the press and the workings of journalism," he said.
Asked whether the dismissal of the appeal brought by the Mahon tribunal would allow the Sunday Business Postto publish more stories regarding the work of the inquiry, Mr Taylor said this particular case dealt with issues that were largely historical.
The original articles that led to the case went back to 2004 and related to material that had been subsequently dealt with at public hearings of the tribunal.
The Irish secretary of the National Union of Journalists, Séamus Dooley, also welcomed the Supreme Court judgment. He said the ruling was "a significant recognition of the importance of journalism".
Mr Dooley said the Mahon tribunal order had been an attempt to gag all the media and the Supreme Court ruling was very welcome.
The National Newspapers of Ireland said it wholeheartedly welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court.
"We are pleased to see the recognition by the court of the importance of the media's right to freedom of expression. The refusal to grant the restrictions on reporting sought by the tribunal is a significant vindication of the role of the press".
