ABC News Hobart-based journalist Katri Uibu has been named Tasmanian Journalist of the Year at the 2023 Tasmanian Media Awards.
It also won best news for a year-long national crowdfunding investigation into the abuse and mistreatment of children in state care.
ABC grabbed the television wins while Makenna Baily’s Southern Cross Austere / 7 Tasmania News won best new reporter.
Adam Portelli, deputy managing director of MEAA, said journalists continue to serve their communities by reporting on issues that matter to Tasmanians. “This year’s entries have once again highlighted the breadth and quality of journalism in Tasmania,” he said.
The winners were named during a special cocktail party at Hobart’s Waterside Pavilion on Friday 26 May.
TV and related winners:
Journalist of the Year
Katri Uibu – ABC – “Bad parenting at the hands of Australia’s child protection system”
Judges’ Comments: Katri’s series of excellent investigative stories exposes and sheds light on Australia’s failing child protection system, revealing hundreds of stark, gritty, shocking and often graphic accounts of horrific sexual, physical and mental abuse (as well as racial) ) abuse experienced by children both within and outside the child protection system. Her work is of enormous interest and public benefit, so much so that a parent has already reunited with her son, and Federal Attorney General Mark Dreyfuss has vowed to address these horrific issues. This was investigative journalism at its best.
Health reporting
Adam Langenberg – ABC News – “Body of Work”
Judges’ Comments: Amidst a pool of high-profile voices, Adam Langenberg’s report stood out for his vision of Tasmania’s healthcare system and the toll its shortcomings can have on people’s lives. Adam’s reports of the unfairness of Tasmania’s guardianship system, the suspension of chief psychiatrist Aaron Groves and the state’s shortage of neurologists have demonstrated his ability to transform a news item from a contact into a compelling series of exclusive stories.
Public service journalism
Alexandra Humphries – ABC – “Election Grants”
Judges’ Comments: Alexandra demonstrated an impressive level of investigative skill and dogged reporting, over many months, to break this story, which set the agenda for newsrooms across the state and helped spark a House inquiry into the matter . Essentially “following the money”, Alexandra denounced a political practice which has been described as “electoral corruption”. And the stories she produced were concise and compelling, distilling what could have been a dark and complex subject matter into something that was accessible and easy to understand. Her work—in print and television form—deftly highlighted the outrageous nature of the practice, a clear boon for the public, which has a right to know but relies on the news media to follow that paper trail and report.
Feature film, documentary or current affairs
Lucy MacDonald, Will Murray, Maren Preuss, Luke Bowden, Dane Meale, Paul Strk, James Dunlevie – ABC – “Inside Children’s Jail”
Judging Panel Comments: Entries in this category this year have been of an exceptionally high standard, demonstrating excellent research, storytelling and dogged investigative skills across multiple media platforms. The judges were particularly impressed by the number of stories being told in new and innovative ways, responding to the changing habits and needs of the audience. The winning project not only told a very important story, but did so with invention and originality, and the result had an incredible impact. The research quality and production values evident in the winning story demonstrate the importance of news organizations committing time and resources to producing meaningful stories that demand attention beyond the 24/7 news cycle.
Best News
Katri Uibu – ABC – “Bad parenting at the hands of Australia’s child protection system”
Judges’ Comments: Katri provides heartbreaking insight into the child protection system and neglect, racism, child abuse and government failure. The judges were unanimous in their decision due to a year-long investigation undertaken by a journalist to give a voice to those afraid to speak up. Through crowdsourcing and contact with 1300 people, she shows a journalist’s dogged determination to go beyond the “PR” responses of the authorities. The reports led to the matter attracting the attention of the federal attorney general. Her impact is best defined by a response to a mother who said this story “saved” her son who now had a chance to heal. The manufacturing is very sophisticated and sensitive, contributing to the overall impact of the piece. A prime example of investigative reporting – without fear or favouritism.
Best New Reporter
Makenna Baily – Southern Cross Austereo / 7 Tasmania News – “Body of Work”
Judges Comments: Makenna’s entry demonstrated great skill in breaking news and color. Her stories were informative and informative. Her live crosses were particularly impressive, given her limited experience. Recognizing her recent entry into the profession, her limited resources available to her, and the quality of her work, Makenna was the clear winner in the category. More generally, it was encouraging to read the dedication of Tasmania’s new journalists to local news. It was a difficult category to judge and Tasmanians are well served by their up-and-coming journalists.
Photo: ABC
