The trust of ordinary people in the financial institutions and in the political system has been seriously undermined, according to the former Ombudsman and chairman of the judging panel for the ESB national media awards, Mr Michael Mills.
Speaking at the presentation of the awards in Dublin yesterday, Mr Mills said it had been another good year for Irish journalism.
"Following the saga of banking scandals last year, journalists were encouraged to turn their attention to the activities of the politicians, with some astonishing results, " he said. "It will take a long time, and a serious and obvious resolution by the people involved to change their ways, before trust can be restored."
Mr Mills said there were 450 entries this year, an increase of 50 per cent on the previous year.
"The standard in every category has also risen remarkably. Two years ago, for example, we were unable to make an award in local radio because of the absence of quality entries. This year, a local station wins one of the main national awards against competition from stations with far greater resources."
He was referring to the Radio Journalist of the Year award, which went to Paul Maguire and Grace Cappock, of LM/FM in Navan, Co Meath.
The awards were presented by the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, and the chairman of the ESB, Mr Billy McCann.
Ms O'Rourke remarked that cynicism was a necessary tool for every journalist: it was the AK47 of the profession. Journalists needed it and should use it, but they should not use it all the time. "Do not let it permeate your life," she advised.
Mr McCann said the past year had seen members of the media ably fulfilling their professional calling "by bringing a range of important issues into the public domain which might, I believe, otherwise have remained well-kept secrets".
He said the process of reporting the tribunals had presented a consistent challenge to the media, adding: "There is no question in my mind that it is journalists, digging deep, asking questions, refusing to be fobbed off with half-truths and evasions, who have created this healthy situation."