The Currency won two awards at this year’s Justice Media Awards, which attracted a record 674 entries from national and local publications across Ireland. 

The long-standing event, run by the Law Society, which recognises excellence in legal journalism, took place at the society’s headquarters in Dublin’s Blackhall Place yesterday. 

Business reporter Alice Chambers picked up the top prize in the international justice category for her work on lawsuits taken against Pornhub concerning child sexual abuse material allegations.

Chamber’s detailed work examined the global legal and financial fallout from US lawsuits concerning the allegations, and how this sprawling litigation has reached the High Court due to the site’s corporate and financial structuring in Ireland.

The judges said this “excellent journalism” unravelled a complex “financial web”, delved into details of a class-action lawsuit, and “highlighted how multinationals can misrepresent their true activities”.

Niall Sargent, The Currency’s current affairs correspondent, was also awarded a merit in this category for his “remarkable, in-depth reporting” in a series of articles on the Central Bank of Ireland’s role in facilitating the sale of Israeli bonds in Europe. 

“This exceptional journalist reminded us how easily things can be ‘overlooked’, and how in this modern world, money makes things happen,” the judges said. 

Sargent picked up the top award in the environmental law and climate justice reporting category for his work examining the climate impact of the data-centre industry. 

The judges said: “This reporting reminded us of the environmental costs of a growing data-centre industry. It was accessible, informative and reminded the reader of the need to keep this sector accountable.”

The Currency also picked up another merit for court reporting, as Niall Sargent was rewarded for his coverage of the High Court battle over the Barne Estate between John Magnier and Maurice Regan.

“This journalist stood out for his ability to dissect complex judicial findings, while balancing the human and legal drama. This is superb legal journalism,” the judges said. 

The RTÉ Radio 1 podcast series First Conviction, voiced by leading Irish actress Ruth Negga, won the overall prize at the Law Society’s Justice Media Awards 2026.

Ruth Negga was part of the RTÉ team that won the overall award at the Justice Media Awards. Photo: Jason Clarke.

The series, which also took the prize in the broadcast journalism podcast category, investigated the case of a couple imprisoned for a crime against their child that never happened.

There were a record-breaking 674 entries and 158 shortlisted entries, with a tripling in entries in the last five years, something the President of the Law Society Rosemarie Loftus said is a “testament to the health, strength, and diversity of legal journalism in Ireland”. 

“In an increasingly complex world, trusted journalism is essential. The awards are a reflection of the commitment of journalists across the country to producing rigorous, impactful and public-interest reporting. This year’s winners did just that,” she said.