Adjunct Professor of Journalism at the University of Limerick (UL) Geraldine Kennedy recently delivered her inaugural lecture to an audience which included students of the University's undergraduate and postgraduate journalism programmes.

Professor Kennedy, former editor of The Irish Times and an award winning journalist, discussed a range of topics related to regulating the media and the current state of Irish newspapers, in a lecture entitled ‘Challenges to Journalism’. In her address, Professor Kennedy said; "The threat to the independence of editors is greater today than at any other time in the history of newspapers and broadcasting."

Professor Kennedy, who holds five honorary doctorates from Irish universities and educational institutions, was appointed Adjunct Professor of Journalism in September 2012. Professor Kennedy, who retired as editor of The Irish Times in June 2011, is one of the country’s most decorated journalists. She has personally unveiled corruption and law breaking by leading figures in politics during a 40-year career at the highest levels in national newspaper journalism.

The University of Limerick offers highly regarded programmes in journalism at undergraduate and postgraduate level. The programmes are designed to enable students to develop and combine high-level journalistic writing skills and professional practices for a broad range of media. Students on the programmes gain hands-on experience through the cooperative education programme, working closely with industry, and the production of community based newspapers including the Limerick Voice which are produced entirely by UL students and distributed in association with the Limerick Leader.