WA Journalists celebrate outstanding year of work

Saturday, 3 November 2012

A significantly high standard of journalism was celebrated at the 2012 West Australian Media Awards tonight, with The Sunday Times’ Anthony DeCeglie winning the Daily News Centenary Award for WA Journalist of the Year.

Held at the Hyatt Regency and hosted by Emmy Kubainski (Network 7) and Craig Smart (Network 10), DeCeglie took home the prestigious award for his series of articles that uncovered a spate of preventable suicides at Fremantle Hospital, and probed the conduct of Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan during devastating bush fires.

The judges said DeCeglie’s work was “Well out in front, doing investigative reporting that upheld the finest traditions of the craft that provoked government inquiries into the Mental Health Services in WA. His probe into the conduct of Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan, who watched cricket while bushfires raged through residential areas, lead to parliamentary and Corruption and Crime Commission inquiries.”

It was not the only accolade for DeCeglie as he also took home the Best News Coverage – Print Award and the Best Report on Health Related Issues Award.

The work of highly regarded journalist Steve Pennells was also celebrated in style at the gala ceremony with Pennells taking home The Clarion Award for Outstanding Contribution to Journalism.

The West Australian journalist’s work was lauded by judges as showcasing, “One of this country's most respected and highly decorated journalists, due to his impeccable reporting skills. His ethical approach to his work adds a further dimension.”

Like DeCeglie, Pennells also took home a trifecta of awards, being the recipient of the Best Business, Economic or Finance Report Award and Best Social Equity Report Award.

Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance federal secretary Christopher Warren said tonight’s winners exemplified the high standard of journalism in the region. The WA Media Awards are administered by the Alliance.

Other winners included the Seven Network’s Grant Taylor, who was awarded the Best News Story or Series TV/Online Award, the ABC’s Jake Sturmer who won the Best Current Affairs or Feature TV/Online Award, and The Sunday Times’ David Cusworth who won the Best Three Headlines Print Award.

The West Australian’s Joseph Catanzaro was the recipient of the Best Feature Writing Print Award, The Sunday Times’ Greg Smith won Best Illustration, Cartoon or Graphic Award, and Daniel Wilkins of The Sunday Times was awarded Best News Photograph.

Paige Taylor wins Arthur Lovekin Prize

The Australian journalist Paige Taylor won the Arthur Lovekin Prize for ‘Detention misery cuts both ways’: an exposé of psychological stresses on detention guards handling asylum seekers sparked by the suicide of a young guard.

Judges of the Prize, which is administered by the University of Western Australia, said Taylor’s article revealed an altogether new aspect of Australia’s policy of mandatory detention of asylum seekers, broadening public understanding of its human toll.

“This story was a substantial piece of journalism, in which you extracted information in difficult conditions, adduced the viewpoints of all relevant groups, and distilled a compelling narrative,” judges said.

“Without rhetorical flourishes, you devised a vivid factual recital that challenged the stereotypes that
often cloud this controversial subject,” they said.

Since 1929, the Arthur Lovekin Prize has been awarded to West Australians for outstanding contribution to journalism in newspapers and periodicals in the previous year.

For the full list of winners and judges comments click here