Former press ombudsman John Horgan has been made a member of honour of the National Union of Journalists, the highest honour that the union may confer.
Prof Horgan received his award at a ceremony during the union’s delegate meeting in Southport, England, at the weekend.
At the ceremony, a message was read from President Michael D Higgins, who said the award was a well deserved honour that “recognises the distinguished contribution that John has made to the world of journalism – and to society at large”.
Mr Higgins added: “I believe the award is also an acknowledgement of John’s generosity of spirit, as well as his immense influence as a public intellectual, politician, Press Ombudsman and advocate for social reform.
“John’s relentless pursuit of accountability and high professional standards has been one of the pillars on which public trust in the free press of this country has been built,” the President said.
Prof Horgan dedicated the award to the hundreds of NUJ activists who work in a voluntary capacity on behalf of journalists.
He recalled his early years in The Irish Times and paid particular tribute to the late Pat Nolan, Irish Times industrial relations correspondent and longtime NUJ officer in the newspaper.
