In formal recognition of their services to journalism, veteran reporters Stephen Grimason and Ken Reid have been awarded the Queen’s University’s Chancellor’s Medal – the first in their profession to be bestowed such an accolade. 

Starting their careers in the midst of the Troubles, between them they covered some of the worst atrocities, and by the time long-lasting peace was in reach as the 90’s were drawing to a close, both Stephen and Ken were fast becoming household names and daily fixtures on our television screens. 

Delivering the citation at the ceremony was a familiar face to both - Dr Rosie Cowan, a former journalist with the Guardian and Press Association, and now a Lecturer at Queen’s Law School. Rosie worked with both Stephen and Ken and spent many hours standing outside the front of Stormont with them, as all media did, during the peace process talks, waiting for news of an agreement. 

It was during this period, as Rosie described, when rumours were rife and facts were thin on the ground, that both Stephen and Ken, as political editors of BBC Northern Ireland and UTV respectively, provided vital and informed news and analysis for a society in need and on the brink of change – their reporting was the first draft of history. 

For their incredible dedication to their profession and mastering of their craft, they are receiving the Queen’s University Chancellor’s Medal Awards, which were created to celebrate achievement in civic leadership in all its aspects. These Awards were inaugurated last year during Agreement 25, the conference which marked the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement – making it particularly fitting. 

Awarding Ken Reid and Stephen Grimason with the Medals, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer said: 

“Ken and Stephen will be the first recipients from their profession to receive the Queen’s University’s Chancellor’s Medal, and I can’t think of more deserving individuals to break this new ground. 

“Given both of their key roles as political editors of UTV and BBC respectively back in 1998 and their continued involvement in the same role for another 20 years in the case of Ken, and Stephen moving to head up the Executive’s communications operation, here at Queen’s we feel it is vital to recognise their incredible commitment and contribution to society.” 

Media

Media enquiries to Queen’s Communications Office via email: comms.office@qub.ac.uk or tel: (028) 9097 3091