Wednesday 9 April 2025
This evening, University College Dublin student Aoife Kilbane-McGowan was awarded the European Commission Award for Journalism Relating to European Affairs at the 2025 National Student Media Awards in the Mansion House in Dublin. A cash prize of €1,000 also accompanied the award, which was generously donated by the Commission.
Aoife’s piece for the University Observer, The Future of Social Media in the EU: Zuckerberg and Musk Face Up to the Digital Services Act (DSA), provided a timely overview of the EU’s legislation framework aimed at creating a safer and more accountable online environment within the European Union. The DSA was adopted as part of the EU’s broader digital policy in 2022 and applies to all digital platforms operating in the EU since February 2024.
Speaking from the National Student Media Awards, Aoife Kilbane – McGowan, Journalist at the University Observer said;
‘I’m really excited and really interested in European politics, because I think it is undervalued and not looked at enough, especially at a student news level, so I was really excited to write about the Digital Services Act (DSA). I think it’s one of the most important pieces of legislation passed in the last decade globally. It is an absolute honour and privilege to win the award, It’s just amazing, I didn’t think I had a chance, but I’m so happy’.
This is the second year in a row that the European Commission Award for Journalism Relating to European Affairs has gone to a student journalist from the University Observer, a newspaper published by University College Dublin students since 1994.
Three nominated students were awarded Highly Commended certificates by the judging panel which included; Kate Byrne of Trinity News with Dating Beyond Dublin: the Erasmus Experience – Trinity News, Jessica Toal of Queen’s Radio with Trapped Between Two Systems Former Diane Dodds DUP on Brexit Democratic Cost and Thomas Walsh of the University Observer with Power Struggles: European Electricity in 2024 .
Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland Peter Power underlined the importance of supporting emerging journalists through the SMEDIA Awards;
“The European Commission Representation in Ireland takes great pride in sponsoring the National SMEDIA Award for Journalism Relating to European Affairs.
These young aspiring journalists displayed real talent and reported on a wide range of issues. Hopefully they can go on to develop a passion for European affairs, given its importance in shaping our daily lives and futures.”
The European Commission Award for Journalism Relating to European Affairs process is managed in Ireland by European Movement Ireland.