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WA Media Awards 2022: winners

TV wins for Nine and Seven News in WA press awards.

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Winners of the 2022 WA Media Awards were announced on the weekend in Perth.

TV wins went to Jerrie Demasi of Nine News and Simon Hydzik of Seven News.

The West Australian journalist, Daryna Zadvirna won the prestigious 2022 West Australian Journalist of the Year—The Daily News Centenary Prize for her coverage of the war in Ukraine.

Mark Duffield was awarded The Clarion Award for Outstanding Contribution, having begun his career in 1982.

MEAA WA President for Media, Kate Ferguson said: “Congratulations to the winners and finalists this evening. Despite the ongoing challenges facing the media industry, the engagement with the awards continues to grow year on year. We should be proud of the quality and range of work produced from Western Australia. It continues to be among the best in the country”.

TV and related winners:

Television/Audio-visual Journalism

News Reporting
Jerrie Demasi, 9 News Perth, “WA Health Crisis”
Jerri Demasi’s reporting on the death of an elderly woman, while waiting for an ambulance, was textbook public benefit journalism. Demasi’s stories stood out amongst the large volume of news coverage on WA’s health crisis, by exposing not only the tragic reality of the crisis, but the unacceptable behaviour by those entrusted to look after us which, without good journalism, would likely have gone unnoticed. Demasi treated the story with an exceptional level of dignity, while also ensuring those responsible were held to account. This ultimately led to the resignation of a CEO and forced the State Government into action.

A highly commended is extended to Geoff Parry’s reporting from Ukraine. Geoff’s work was some of the best internationally, as he covered exclusive angles, with a well considered and personable approach. Geoff brought the foreign conflict into our living rooms and provided a powerful and raw perspective. Congratulations to Geoff for providing the audience with a highly skilled and original insight into the lived experience of conflict.

All Media (including online publications)

Camerawork
Simon Hydzik, 7NEWS Perth, “War in Ukraine”
Journalists who have worked with Simon know he puts his blood, sweat and tears into each assignment. Sleep often comes second. But during his 12-weeks as a Seven network camera operator at the height of conflict in Ukraine, Simon surpassed his own high standards. Firstly, it was his first time inside a war zone. Secondly, filming with veterans Chris Reason and Geoff Parry brings with it demands to go above and beyond. Whether it be capturing the ground level drama and destruction by shooting innovative pieces to camera with a gimbal, or the destruction from a bird’s eye drone view, Simon used all his skills in dangerous and unpredictable conditions. Simon’s camerawork inside the biggest story on the planet was world class.

Science and Environmental Report
Erin Parke, ABC, “Pandemic Surge in Illegal Foreign Fishing”
A perfect example of a journalist using her contacts, experience and local knowledge to break a significant story with international reverberations. Erin’s reporting turned the spotlight on the environmental damage being done off Broome by illegal foreign fishers. By exposing the issue and then doggedly following up her initial reports, she forced the Federal Government to take long-overdue action to protect marine parks.

Regional and Community – Three News Stories/Features outside a 70km radius of Perth
Sam Tomlin, Hannah Barry, Erin Parke, Hinako Shiraishi and Eddie Williams, ABC, “Coverage of Youth Crime in the Kimberley.”
ABC’s Kimberley’s dogged reporting on youth crime in the state’s north drew on human experience, trusted sources and leaked documents to uncover the shocking impact entrenched disadvantage can have on children and the broader community. The team’s coverage of the escalating issue went beyond the initial headline grabbing vision of kids posting their exploits on social media to expose the state government’s lack of funding and track record of empty promises to address the issue. It is a shining example of why regional journalism is important to continue to hold those in power, often based in city offices thousands of kilometres away, to account.

New Journalist or Cadet — The Eaves-Prior-Day Prize
Keane Bourke, ABC, “Body of Work”
Keane is an accomplished and technically versatile reporter who can break stories and find fresh angles on even the biggest issues. His exclusive on the COVID patients forced to self-isolate in a park, which he filmed himself, showed a dogged determination to deliver a scoop, and he is just as comfortable interviewing the Premier about the State Budget as he is delivering quirky stories on cafe culture.

Culture and Arts Report — The A.H. Kornweibel Arts Prize
Erin Parke and Andrew Seabourne, ABC, “Kimberley Girl”
“Kimberley Girl” is a story imbued with impact and flair, both important and uplifting. Erin Parke clearly garnered significant trust, and combines compelling protagonists with keen storytelling craft, leading a small regional story onto the national stage. The story has sweep, heft, integrity and heart, and is a worthy winner.

West Australian Journalist of the Year — The Daily News Centenary Prize

Daryna Zadvirna, The West Australian

Outstanding Contribution to Journalism — The Clarion Award

Mark Duffield

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