Media Awards 2024 nominations open

Nominations are now open for the 2024 the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Media Awards.

For the last five years, the peak body for children, young people, and their families in Tasmania and Victoria has recognised journalists who seek to elevate these voices in their stories. 

A 2019 study revealed that when young people are mentioned in the news, it is most likely related to accidents and social welfare. They are absent from stories about the economy, politics, the environment, and climate change. Young people are ten times more likely to be seen rather than heard and are often used as visual props to introduce colour or emotion rather than being an integral part of the story itself.

The Centre’s Media Awards recognise the importance of including and representing the views and experiences of children and young people when reporting on the issues that most affect them. Often, these voices aren’t heard at all or are included through adult mediators like parents, police and experts. 

Nominations are now open for stories across four categories; 

• The best story about children 
• The best story about young people 
• Best story about children or young people in out-of-home care 
• The best story about families 

View the 2023 Media Award winners here.

Eligibility 

Any stories or pieces about children, young people, families, or children and young people in out-of-home care published or broadcast during the last financial year (1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024) are eligible for entry. 

The Centre will accept pieces in all media formats, including but not limited to print, online, TV, radio, digital, and podcasts. 

The awards are open to all Australian-based journalists from media outlets, including freelance journalists and self-published authors. 

Important dates

Nominations close at 5pm on Monday, 9 September 2024.

Finalists will be announced in early November.

The Centre’s Media Awards will be presented at the Centre’s Annual General Meeting on 27 November 2024.

How to submit a story 

Please submit your nominations using the form below or click here to open this form in a new window.