UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School has announced the shortlist for its 2017 Business Journalist Awards scheme. The awards, now in their 11^th year, are run in conjunction with the Business Journalist Association of Ireland (BJAI) and are sponsored by open eir. The awards scheme honours excellence in Irish business journalism across the media spectrum, with entries submitted by nominees themselves or on behalf of journalists by their editors or peers. The awards are adjudicated by an independent panel of judges comprising business, journalism, economic and academic leaders.

Commenting on the announcement of the awards shortlist, Professor Anthony Brabazon, Dean, UCD Business said: “In arriving at this year’s shortlist, the judges reviewed over 100 entries covering a panoply of business, financial and economic issues that impact both business and society. The breadth of content assessed by the panel of judges highlights the range of issues Irish business journalists report on and analyse in a variety of formats – be it print, broadcast or online. The judges continue to be impressed by journalists’ ability to assimilate and convey complex information, in particular under the relentless pressure to produce content at such pace to satisfy the public’s appetite for news in the information age.”

Orlagh Nevin, Director of Sales, Marketing and Service at open eir, awards sponsor and member of the judging panel added: “This year marks open eir’s fifth year of supporting this hugely important awards scheme recognising the very best of business journalism in Ireland. In an age of proliferation of publishing channels, the need for trusted and high quality journalism reporting on the key business issues of the day is now more important than ever. It is appropriate therefore that the individual and collective contribution to society made by business journalists is recognised and, as sponsor, we congratulate all those shortlisted this year.”

Since its launch in 2007, the UCD Smurfit School Business Journalist Awards scheme has received over 1,200 entries from business journalists across print, broadcast and online media outlets in Ireland. The winner of each category will be honoured at a luncheon awards ceremony at The Westbury Hotel on Monday, 4^th December, with each category winner receiving a €1,000 cash prize.

In addition to the seven categories listed above, an Outstanding Achievement Award will be presented at the awards ceremony. This honorary award recognises a journalist who, throughout their career, has helped to enhance the understanding of business in Ireland and inspired others. The previous winners of this award were: Frank Fitzgibbon; Brendan Keenan; Damien Kiberd; Cliff Taylor Richard Curran; and Matt Cooper, with Charlie Weston of Irish Independent the most recent recipient having been recognised at last year’s awards.