BBC sweeps media awards

News Online team: Michael Delange, Gary Duffy, Gareth Owen, Niall Blaney and John Walton

BBC Northern Ireland has been honoured at the Institute of Public Relations Press and Broadcasting Awards in Belfast.

BBC News Online won the award for technical innovation for its coverage of last November's assembly election.

The judges said: "The election map is a truly breakthrough project, using cutting edge technology and creating a very impressive, visually stimulating aspect to the election site."

Security editor Brian Rowan was named E-Journalist of the Year for his analysis on the BBC News Online site.

The IPR panel said Brian "consistently demonstrates the strength of his communication skills by producing pieces that are insightful and well researched".

"In addition, he has an obvious understanding of the structure and style disciplines needed to make good copy for the web."

Spotlight's Kevin Magee (centre) won Journalist of the Year

Business editor James Kerr was commended in the same category, winning praise for his "quality writing" which reflects his "obvious passion for technology and the internet".

BBC Northern Ireland Online won the Website of the Year award for "its range of specialist, topical and community areas as broad as the organisation's radio and television productions".

Kevin Magee of Spotlight was honoured as Journalist of the Year for his "skill and sensitivity in covering a wide range of difficult issues".

Spotlight also won the News and Current Affairs Programme of the Year for Loyalists at War.

BBC Radio Ulster presenter Audrey Carville clinched the Radio News Broadcaster of the Year award.

Education correspondent Maggie Taggart won the Specialist of the Year, while Eddie O'Gorman of BBC Radio Ulster was honoured for his business journalism.

Brian Hollywood, a reporter on the consumer programme Fairplay, won the Best Newcomer in Broadcasting award, for making "complex issues very watchable".