InDaily recognised in SA Media Awards
Nine news reporter Ben Avery has been named journalist of the year in the SA Media Awards, with InDaily’s work being recognised in two categories.
Journalism trailblazer Marg Ralston receiving her hall of fame award from Dana Wortley. Photo: SA Media Awards
Avery, who also won best television broadcaster and best TV news report for his coverage of the Jodie Meyers murder, was described by judges as “one of the best story breakers in the business”.
Also at the awards ceremony on Saturday night, InDaily reporter Bension Siebert won the Max Fatchen Award for Best Young Journalist for his series of articles exposing concerns about construction practices on the South Road Superway.
The judges said: “(Siebert’s) dogged persistence investigating claims by workers and structural engineers led eventually to a state parliamentary committee inquiry. The judges considered that Bension’s carefully crafted and balanced articles reflected an impressive depth of investigation and succeeded in raising serious concerns without either sensationalising or trivialising the subject matter.”
InDaily editor David Washington won the award for best commentary, analysis, opinion and critique for a series of pieces commenting on issues as diverse as media coverage of the war in Syria, the Gillman controversy and the performance of the city council.
Adelaide journalism trailblazer Marg Ralston AM was the Hall of Fame winner for outstanding contribution to journalism.
Ralston started her career with now closed Adelaide afternoon paper The News in 1972, rising to the position of sports editor – the first woman to hold this position at a major metropolitan Australian newspaper.
The Advertiser’s Lauren Novak won best print/digital journalist for her excellent and sustained coverage of child protection and domestic violence issues.
The Advertiser’s Dean Martin was named best photographer.
In a big night for the ABC, Natalie Whiting was one of many winners for the national broadcaster, taking out the radio category.
Today Tonight’s Hendrik Gout won a new award for best investigative journalism for his coverage of the collapse of the Interfert network of fertiliser companies.
Scroll down for all the winners.
Hall of Fame – For Outstanding Contribution to Journalism
Margaret Ralston AM
2016 Journalist of the Year
Ben Avery: Nine News Adelaide
Silver award winners
Julie Duncan Memorial Award for Student Journalism
Ashleigh Pisani, University of South Australia
Max Fatchen Award for Best Young Journalist
Bension Siebert: Solstice Media / InDaily
Best Radio Broadcaster
Natalie Whiting: ABC
Best Print/Digital Journalist
Lauren Novak: The Advertiser
Best Photographer
Dean Martin: Advertiser Newspapers
Best Television Broadcaster (Presenter, Reporter or Camera Person)
Ben Avery: Nine News Adelaide
Bronze award winners
Commentary, Analysis, Opinion & Critique – All Media
David Washington, InDaily: Body of Work
Best Community Journalist – All Media
Kate Hill, ABC: Body of Work
Best Rural/Regional Journalist – All Media
Elise Fantin, ABC: Palliative care saved
Best Coverage of Social Equity Affairs – All Media
Natalie Whiting, ABC News 24: Body of Work
Best Coverage of Sport- All Media
Richard Earle, The Advertiser: Trailblazers
Best Investigative Journalism – All Media
Hendrik Gout, Network Seven: Interfert
Best Freelance Contribution – All Media
Max Opray, Schwartz Media, Guardian News and Media: Body of Work
Best Radio News or Current Affairs or Feature Report
Carl Smith, ABC: Energy Futures
Best TV News Report
Ben Avery, Nine News Adelaide: Jody Meyers Murder
Best TV Current Affairs or Feature
Alex Mann, ABC, 7. 30 Report : On The Run
Best TV News or Current Affairs – Camera
Scott Perry, Nine Network Australia: Sampson Flat Bushfire Coverage
Best Print /Digital News Report
Penelope Debelle, Advertiser Newspapers: Chemotherapy bungle exposed
Best Print /Digital News or Lifestyle Feature
Verity Edwards, The Australian: Chloe Valentine
Best News Photograph or Photographic Series
Kelly Barnes, The Australian: John Lush – Pinery Fires, at son’s burnt-out home
Best Sport Photograph or Photographic Series
Ryan Schembri, SMP Images / Australian Baseball League: Twilight pitching – Baseball
Best Feature Photograph or Photographic Series
Simon Cross, The Advertiser: Sky-high wind power