91Èȱ¬

A 91Èȱ¬ South East Today journalist picked up two prestigious awards at this year's Ruby Awards in Belfast last night.

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Jon Hunt was named Best TV News Journalist and also won the Best News Film category.

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Judges commended Jon for his "commitment to original journalism and an ability to make even difficult subjects into compelling television".

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91Èȱ¬ London News won two categories, Best Broadcast of Diversity Issues and Best Evening News Programmes.

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The judges praised 91Èȱ¬ London News for its "huge skill, flair and truly sensitive storytelling in the aftermath of the 7/7 bombing in London" and also "for excellent broadcast film making and journalism, taking on difficult film ideas".

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91Èȱ¬ Northern Ireland also picked up two awards. The first went to graphic designer Andrew Davidson in the Outstanding Craft Skills in Post Production category and the second went to Spotlight for Best Current Affairs Programme.

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Commenting on Andrew Davidson's winning entry, judges said his work was "of a very high standard both in creativity and originality".

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91Èȱ¬ Northern Ireland's Spotlight programme on the Northern Bank raid caught the judges' attention, describing it as "a real old-fashioned scoop. Kevin Magee's interview with bank employee Chris Ward, whose family was held hostage, was the story everyone wanted".

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The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Andrew Colman, 91Èȱ¬ Northern Ireland's Head of News and Current Affairs. He was appointed to the post in March 1998.

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Andrew started his journalistic career on the East Antrim Times, moved on to the Belfast Telegraph and then joined the 91Èȱ¬ as a reporter in 1971.

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He has been editor of most of the current affairs programmes on 91Èȱ¬ radio and television in Northern Ireland.

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Since 1986 he edited all 91Èȱ¬ Northern Ireland's election programmes and in 1995 masterminded the coverage of President Clinton's visit, which won a major television award.

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Now in its fourth year, the Ruby Awards seek to celebrate news and current affairs throughout 91Èȱ¬ Nations and Regions.

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Last night's ceremony was held in the magnificent surroundings of the Great Hall in Belfast City Hall.

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It was hosted by Pat Loughrey, 91Èȱ¬ Director of Nations and Regions. The ceremony was presented by Nick Ross with special guest 91Èȱ¬ Director-General Mark Thompson.

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Mark Thompson said: "The Nations and Regions continue to produce a wealth of excellent talent across news and current affairs, both in front of and behind the camera. Tonight's award ceremony is about acknowledging this hard work and commitment in a very tangible way.

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"Very many congratulations to all those who have won awards and also to those who have been nominated."

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Pat Loughrey added: "I would like to pay a personal tribute to the achievements of all the nominees at this year's Ruby Awards and to the teams of highly skilled journalists, designers and technical staff who have been responsible for some memorable programming during this year."

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The remaining Ruby Award winners were:

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• Outstanding Camera Work - Johnny Rutherford, Spotlight, South West
• Best Exclusive Story - Marco Van Belle, Look North (Yorkshire)
• Best Political Programme - The Politics Show, South West
• Best Current Affairs Film - Jonathan Swift, Inside Out (South)
• Best Presentation Team - Carol Malia and Jeff Brown, Look North, 91Èȱ¬ North East and Cumbria

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