UCD student wins European Commission Award for Journalism Relating to European Affairs

University College Dublin student Joshua McCormack has been awarded the European Commission Award for Journalism Relating to European Affairs at the 2024 National Student Media Awards which took place last night in the Mansion House.

This award is given to the student who has written and published the best article relating to EU affairs.

The winner of this category receives an award, a €1,000 prize that has been very generously donated by the European Commission Representation in Ireland and will have their article published in either a regional or online publication.

Joshua’s piece for the University Observer, The Question of Unilateral Recognition, is an insightful and an emotional perspective to the current state of the Middle East and the EU’s role in resolving it.

Speaking from the National Student Media Awards, Joshua said: “It’s an honour to win this award.

“The subject, Palestinian State Recognition, is a subject very close to my own heart and that of every Irish person.”

“Winning the award highlights to me the growing recognition in Europe and worldwide in the importance of this cause and Ireland’s championing of Palestine is inspiring, critically important and one of the things that makes me most proud to be Irish.”

Three nominated students were awarded Highly Commended certificates by the judges: Evan Skidmore O’Reilly of Trinity News, Trinity College Dublin, Mark O’Rourke of the College Tribune, University College Dublin and Sarah Boylan, Trinity College Dublin.

Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland Barbara Nolan outlined the importance of supporting young journalists.

She said: “The European Commission Representation in Ireland is delighted to support the National Student Media Awards, in particular students writing about EU affairs.

We have been very impressed with the high standard of entries this year and we can confidently say that there is exciting young talent in Irish journalism emerging into the future.”

The European Commission Award for Journalism Relating to European Affairs process is managed in Ireland by European Movement Ireland.