0/5

SBS reporter Yaara Bou Melhem named Young Journalist of the Year

An SBS reporter wins a Walkley honour for her investigation into the people’s democracy movement in Syria.

SBS reporter Yaara Bou Melhem has been named the 2011 Walkley Young Australian Journalist of the Year  for “Freedom’s Call”, an investigation into the people’s democracy movement in Syria.

Bou Melhem spent a month solo in Syria researching and filming, beneath the radar of the secret police, who were monitoring mobile phones. She was able to persuade dissidents and their relatives to talk about the seeds of the people’s democracy movement.

She will visit media organisations in London and New York as part of her prize.

More than 110 journalists, aged 26 or younger, submitted entries across five categories: print, radio, television, online and photography. Their stories covered a range of topics including: natural disasters, neglect in aged care, indigenous affairs, immigration, government corruption and international affairs.

Cameron Price and Tom Steinfort, both from Channel Nine, were also finalists in the Television category.

Adam Suckling, Foxtel’s Director of Policy and Corporate Affairs, said journalism is at the centre of their 12 news and current affairs channels: “Foxtel is proud to support the Walkley Foundation through its sponsorship of the Walkley Young Australian Journalist of the Year Awards. We will continue to support the growth of journalism in Australia, so we are naturally motivated to be associated with the Walkley Foundation and an award that encourages journalists in the early stages of their careers.”

2 Responses

Leave a Reply