The ABC won 12 of the 15 categories at the 2025 MEAA Tasmanian Media Awards.
April McLennan was named Tasmanian Journalist of the Year for her investigative reporting, in particular her work on women who have experienced traumatic births at Launceston General Hospital.
“April’s body of work exemplifies her investigative skill and commitment to public interest journalism,” the judges said.
“Her ongoing coverage of issues within the Launceston General Hospital led to her powerful piece on women who’ve experienced traumatic births, shining a light on the hospital’s failure to respond to the women’s concerns.
“April approaches her craft with compassion and sensitivity, ensuring her stories have integrity as well as impact.”
The ABC’s Airlie Ward received the Keith Welsh Award for Outstanding Contribution to Journalism, a lifetime achievement award recognising her “enduring dedication to Tasmanian journalism and her significant influence on the industry over many years”.
Full list of ABC winners
2025 Journalist of the Year
April McLennan, ABC
Keith Welsh Award for Outstanding Contribution
Airlie Ward, ABC
Arts Reporting
April McLennan, ABC, ‘Tasmania’s Arts Underbelly’
Best New Journalist
Eliza Kloser, ABC
Best News Image
Luke Bowden, ABC, ‘Body of Work’
Best News Story
Jessica Moran, ABC, ‘Puppies in the Freezer: Inside Tasmania’s Largest Puppy Farm’
Comment & Analysis
Adam Langenberg, ABC, ‘Political Analysis’
Coverage of a Breaking News Event
James Dunlevie, Daniel Miller, Loretta Lohberger and Adam Langenberg, ABC, ‘Tasmanian Election 2024 Breaking News Event’
Excellence in Legal Reporting
Adam Holmes, ABC, ‘Body of Work’
Feature, Documentary or Current Affairs
Adam Holmes, ABC, ‘Builder Collapse Exposes Failures in Regulation and Consumer Protection’
Health Reporting
Lucy MacDonald, ABC, ‘LGH Staff Break Silence’
Public Service Journalism
April McLennan, ABC, ‘Body of Work’