Finalists announced for the Centre for Excellence Media Awards 2023

The Centre is excited to announce the finalists in the 2023 Media Awards, recognising journalists who have sought to elevate the voices of children and families in a respectful and material way in their reporting.

The voices and experiences of children and young people are often missing from news coverage and the Awards aim to celebrate and encourage the reporting of their voices and lived experience.

The annual awards are chosen by a panel of judges which include the Centre’s CEO Deb Tsorbaris, the Centre’s Board Chair and CEO of OzChild Dr Lisa J. Griffiths, a young person with care experience, and a representative from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH).

Awards across the four categories will be presented at the Centre’s AGM on Monday, 27 November.

The 2023 Finalists are:

Best Story about Children

Presents children as people, demonstrates the ability to speak to or about children in a respectful and considerate manner and puts forward a unique narrative about children.

Georgia Lenton-Williams ABC
As Victoria’s incarceration rate rises, children of jailed parents are ‘invisible victims’, report says

Jordan Baker Fairfax Media
‘I didn’t realise it wasn’t normal’: The ‘chilling’ impact of family violence on children

Melanie Vujkovic ABC
Sexual assaults are at an all-time high. Why talking to your child about abuse is so important

Penny Timms ABC
Around 62 per cent of Australians report being abused and neglected in childhood, major study finds

Best Story about Young People

Recognises the tenacity of young people, presents young people as people in their own right, and gives voice to the issues impacting young people.

Conor Duffy ABC
Rory’s using music to take on a ‘toxic mindset’, and 100 boys’ voices have joined in

Natasha Bita The Australian
Educational beacon of hope for “misfits” of the pandemic

Grace Tobin and Patrick Begley ABC Four Corners
Locking Up Kids: Australia’s failure to protect children in detention

Best Story about Families

Celebrates the diversity of families, presents a narrative that captures the changing nature of families, and reports about families in a respectful and balanced manner.

Sophie Black The Guardian
‘Families can fall apart over this stuff’: the children refusing to go to school

Rachel Clayton ABC
In the regional city of Geelong, parents who have lost children to suicide fear not  enough action is being taken

Julia Bergin Crikey
‘‘We fight for them’: Audrey Napanangka’s commitment to keeping kids on Country

Best Story about Out-of-Home Care

Presents a holistic narrative about OOHC, is balanced and fair, and considers the unique experiences of children and young people in OOHC.

Keiren Rooney The Herald Sun
‘Fears kids will continue to experience serious sexual violence unless action is taken

Nino Bucci The Guardian
Children in out-of-home care are less likely to finish school. Victoria is launching an inquiry to understand why

Katri Uibu ABC
All care, no responsibility

Congratulations to all the finalists.

Winners will be announced at the Centre’s Annual General Meeting on 27 November 2023.