There’s never been a greater time to be a young journo: Malcolm Turnbull

Walkley Young Journo winners
“There’s never been a greater time to be a young journo…. This is the age of disruption,” Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull told finalists at tonight’s Walkley Young Journalist of the Year Awards.

Finalists were selected on the basis of journalistic excellence in the fundamental tenets of the craft as well as their ability to present distinctive and original journalism that pushes the boundaries of the profession.

“This is the age of innovation, the age of disruption… Let’s embrace it,” Turnbull told attendees at the Walkley ceremony tonight.

The Radio/Audio award winner was Alice Matthews, AM/PM ABC News Radio for “Sexual harassment rife in medical profession, warns surgeon” “Universities consider sexual harassment education in health courses.”

Other radio finalists were:

  • Naomi Selvaratnam, SBS World News Radio, “Blackmailed: Sexual assault victims held to ransom with footage of their rape” 
  • Caitlyn Gribbin, AM/PM ABC News Radio, “Philip Nitschke accused of moving into uncharted territory” “Julieka Dhu’s family speak about her death in custody” “Children speak about being held in police lock-ups”

Fairfax journalist Amy McNeilage was named the 2015 Walkley Young Australian Journalist of the Year for her “outstanding and compelling” investigation into large-scale cheating at Australia’s top universities.

McNeilage, 25, whose work appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald, was commended by Walkley Advisory Board judges Fran Kelly, Hedley Thomas, Johnny Richards and Angelos Frangopoulos for her ability to “not only follow her instinct but her determination to stick with the story and go deeper, a trait that is crucial for young journalists today.”

The Walkley Young Australian Journalist of the Year aims to encourage and recognise the rising stars of Australian journalism. Winners will be selected on the basis of journalistic excellence in the fundamental tenets of the craft as well as the ability to present distinctive and original journalism that pushes the boundaries of the profession.

Other Walkley winners announced tonight are:

TELEVISION/VIDEO JOURNALISM (presented by SKY NEWS Australia)
Elise Worthington, 7.30 ABC TV, “Facing hereditary cancer and its agonising choices”

STUDENT JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR (presented by MEAA)
Saimi Jeong,  University of Technology Sydney, “Inside Sydney’s female body-building scene” “Global fundraising company keeps $7m of 12.2m raised for Special Olympics” “Charities’ hidden costs: the company they keep”

CAMERAWORK (presented by UNSW)
Rohan Thomson, The Canberra Times, “Robyn’s Story” “The Morticians” “Into the cage”

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