THE LATE campaigning journalist Mary Raftery (below) is being honoured with a new journalism fund that aims to support “investigative coverage in the media of Irish social issues”.
The fund, an initiative of Raftery’s family and friends, will “help shine a light on three elements of Irish society – mental health, migrant rights and children’s issues” - and will initially be supported by the One Foundation. Full details will be announced on September 26th.
Raftery, who died in January aged 54, has been hailed as “a voice for the voiceless” and the “finest exemplar” of investigative journalism who faced much institutional opposition in her pursuit of justice for abuse victims.
She was best known for the 1999 documentary series States of Fear that revealed the extent of physical and sexual abuse suffered by children in industrial schools managed by religious orders on behalf of the State.
It led to then taoiseach Bertie Ahern apologising to victims of institutional abuse on behalf of the State, as well as the establishment of the Ryan Commission and a confidential committee which heard the stories of victims of institutional abuse.
The setting up of the Mary Raftery Journalism Fund follows the Sunday Times’s launch of the Marie Colvin Scholarship in honour of its foreign correspondent who was killed earlier this year on assignment in Syria.
Applications for the one-year Colvin scholarship close on September 30th. Candidates must have practical experience of print journalism and digital media, a proven interest in foreign affairs, and be 26 or younger.
