Radio Initiatives shine at Media Literacy Ireland Awards Ceremony.

Media Literacy Ireland held their awards ceremony on 21st November 2024 in Virgin Media Television studio.  The event was attended by a range of organisations committed to supporting the work of Media Literacy Ireland.  The event was the first in-person awards ceremony held by Media Literacy Ireland with the inagural awards being held virtually in 2023.  The awards aim to recognise initiatives that empower individuals and communities with media literacy skills. The calibre of the entries this year was exceptional, demonstrating the diverse and innovative ways that media literacy is being delivered across Ireland.

The judging panel included Andrew Byrne (CnaM), Eileen Culloty (DCU), Eileen Morrissey (LAI), Fred Boss (NCCA), Jane McGarrigle (Webwise), Karen McAuley (CnaM), Lisa Buckley (NewsBrands Ireland), Máire Aoibhinn Ní Ógáin (TG4), Mick McCaffrey (Virgin Media), Ricardo Castellini da Silva, Stephanie Comey (CnaM) and Susan Daly (The Journal Media).

The contributuon of radio and in particular, Independent Radio in Ireland, was to the forefront of these awards with Learning Waves, Radio Kerry, Shannonside Northern Sound and Beat all shortlisted for awards.  Learning Waves was shortlisted alongside Beat in the Best Media Led Media Literacy Initiative for its Be Media Smart Campaign which ran across 31 Independent Radio stations in Ireland.  Beat was shortlisted for its Digital Media and You Roadshow.  Shannonside Northern Sound was shortlisted in the Best Media Led Media Literacy Initiative for its on-air digital surgery for listeners which offered advice and instruction on how best to use digital technology. Radio Kerry was shortlisted in the Best Community Based Media Literacy Initiative for its 'Many Voices One Kingdom' which empowered marginalised and underrepresented voices within the local community to write and produce a message of their choice. 

Beat came away winners in their category for their 'Digital Media and You'.   Media Literacy Roadshow.  ‘Digital Media & You’ was a Sound and Vision funded media literacy tour produced and delivered by presenters at Beat 102 103 to secondary school students across the South East. The campaign began on February 1st 2024 and over the course of four months, Beat reached 20 secondary schools in the South East region. Beat presenters spoke to over 2,000 first year students in Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford, and South Tipperary to deliver the important message; Stop, Think, and Check before you Click!   Beat’s Digital Media Literacy Tour for 2024 also reached thousands more online - highlighting the importance of online safety and awareness in the ever-evolving age of social media and showcasing vital digital information to help young people navigate through misinformation. This roadshow helped students identify misinformation and disinformation online and enabled them to have the skills, knowledge, and understanding of how to process content on and offline.

Roadshow coordinator Claire Rowe says it has been a tremendous experience to host the roadshow in the region: “We’re delighted to be recognised by Media Literacy Ireland for our Digital Media & You roadshow. We had so many talented Beat team members involved in this project and received honest and constructive feedback from the students and teachers in the 20 schools we delivered the workshop in over 4 months.  Thank you to Coimisiun na Mean, NCCA, Media Literacy Ireland, Webwise, Learning Waves, principals and teachers for such providing valuable resources to help us build such an impactful workshop for the first year students.”

It is the second prestigious national award for Beat’s literacy roadshow. In October 2024, the initiative won the Oustanding Achievement Award at the IMRO Radio Awards at the Lyrath Hotel, in Kilkenny.  The media literacy course for first year students was devised by Beat in consultation with teachers, the radio sector’s training network Learning Waves, and Media Literacy Ireland.

The online version of the roadshow is accessible at www.beat102103.com so other teachers and students can continue to avail themselves of this helpful learning resource. If you would like the digital version of Beat's Digital Media Literacy Tour for your school email info@beat102103.com.  Check out the video here: https://www.beat102103.com/life/beats-digital-media-literacy-tour-check-out-the-video-here-1164695

Congratulations to Beat and also to Radio Kerry and Shannonside Northern Sound for their contribution to Media Literacy in Ireland. 

In addition to the awards, Media Literacy Ireland also presented two Special Recognition Awards to TG4's Máire Aoibhinn Ní Ógáin and Dr. Ricardo Castellini de Silva for their exceptional contributions to Media Literacy in Ireland.  Congratulations to Máire Aoibhinn and Ricardo.