The Media Diversity Australia Award honours journalists who are making an outstanding contribution through their reporting or coverage of diverse people or issues in Australia. This includes culturally and linguistically diverse communities (CALD) and people with disability (PWD). It celebrates reporting that demonstrates notable courage in raising awareness of CALD and/or PWD experiences and perspectives, as well as innovation in the telling of these stories. It recognises the significance of media coverage in providing nuanced reporting which serves to alter perceptions and attitudes, challenge stereotypes and fight misinformation.
Congratulations to the winners of the inaugural Media Diversity Australia Award: Aaron Smith, Kirk Docker, Loni Cooper, Pauline Ernesto and Josh Schmidt, ABC and ABC iview, “You Can’t Ask That – Deaf, African Australians and Intersex”
See all the winners of the Walkley Mid-Year Celebration here.
The 2019 finalists were:
- Sarah Dingle and the Background Briefing Team, Radio National, ABC, “Australia On Trial”
- Quentin McDermott, Natalie Whiting and Rebecca Latham, Australian Story, ABC TV, “The Invisible Man”
- Aaron Smith, Kirk Docker, Loni Cooper, Pauline Ernesto and Josh Schmidt, ABC and ABC iview, “You Can’t Ask That – Deaf, African Australians and Intersex”
See the full list of 2019 Mid-Year Celebration finalists here.
“You Can’t Ask That” team wins inaugural Media Diversity Australia Award
Judging criteria
Judges will evaluate submissions according to the following criteria:
- Newsworthiness
- Research, writing and production.
- Incisiveness
- Balance and range of perspectives
- Courage in trying new innovation and/or in tackling subjects that are difficult
- Covers issues that are underrepresented in the media
- Impact and public benefit
- Adherence to ethical standards
- Time constraints and resources available
Judges will also consider the pressure and demand of reporting deadlines, and the location of the journalist. They also take into consideration isolation or exposure to outside forces, as well as the real or potential dangers in presenting a story.
Conditions of entry
Submissions are open to all journalists working in mainstream, community or alternative media, as individuals or in collaboration with others on projects.
Entries must be in English, may be single pieces, or may consist of up to three pieces of work to represent a body of work. All forms of media are accepted.
Entries must have been published, broadcast or televised in Australia from April 27, 2018 to April 26, 2019.
Eligibility for the Media Diversity Australia award is based on independent acts of journalism, free from any commercial or corporate interests.
All entrants must certify that the entry is their original work. Apart from standard sub-editorial/production treatment, submissions must adhere to the MEAA Code of Ethics in their preparation; undertake to abide by this Code of Ethics; and have complied with all copyright requirements.
Entry fee
Entry is free for members of MEAA. The cost of entering the award for non-members is $50 including GST. Inquiries about MEAA membership please contact members@meaa.org for further details or call 1300 656 513.
Full Terms & Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any further questions, please contact either:
Lauren Dixon
lauren.dixon@walkleys.com or (02) 9158 3820
Gemma Courtney
gemma.courtney@walkleys.com or (02) 9158 3822
Barbara Blackman
barbara.blackman@walkleys.com or (02) 9158 3821