18 ABC Finalists in 2024 Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism

The ABC has 18 finalists across 13 categories in the 2024 Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism.

The ABC’s investigative journalism is strongly represented, including nominations for Four Corners‘ programs “Pain Factory”, which investigated the multi-billion dollar chronic pain industry, and “Ruthless Pursuit”, about the former Chinese spy who blew the whistle on China’s covert oppression activities across the globe.

Also finalists are the 7.30 investigations “Financial Housing Prison”, on the land lease retirement living sector, and “Netstrata”, exposing rorting in the strata industry; Background Briefing investigations “Stop and Search” and “The Price of Freebirth”; and Triple J Hack‘s “Behind Closed Doors”.

Among the other nominations, the ABC’s reporting from Modi’s India for Foreign Correspondent, Four Corners and ABC Listen is recognised in the category for International reporting and the ABC’s Perth newsroom is a finalist in Coverage of Indigenous Affairs for its ongoing series of newsbreaking investigations into WA’s youth justice crisis.

Presenter and writer Annabel Crabb is a finalist for Commentary, Analysis, Opinion and Critique for three of her columns.

The ABC’s talented technical operators feature with two finalists in the category of Television/Video Camerawork, both for Foreign Correspondent programs, and one for Feature/Photographic Essay.

Presenter and writer Julia Baird is also on the Walkley Book Award Longlist for her book Bright Shining.

See the full list of the ABC’s 69th Walkley Award finalists:

ALL MEDIA: COMMENTARY, ANALYSIS, OPINION AND CRITIQUE

  • Annabel Crabb, ABC News, ‘Shades Of Grey’ (1,2,3)

ALL MEDIA: EXPLANATORY JOURNALISM

ALL MEDIA: COVERAGE OF INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS

  • ABC News Perth, ABC News, ‘WA’s Youth Justice Crisis — The Death of Cleveland Dodd’ (1,2,3)

ALL MEDIA: COVERAGE OF COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS

  • Erin Parke and Andrew Seabourne, ABC News and ABC, 7.30, ‘Boat Arrivals’ (1,2,3)

AUDIO SHORT (UNDER 20 MINUTES)

AUDIO LONG (OVER 20 MINUTES)

  • Paul Farrell and the Background Briefing Team, ABC, Background Briefing, ‘Stop and Search’ (1,2,3)
  • Charlotte King and Andy Burns, ABC, Background Briefing, ‘The price of freebirth‘

ALL MEDIA: BUSINESS JOURNALISM

  • Linton Besser and Ninah Kopel, ABC, 7.30 and ABC News, ‘Netstrata’ (1,2,3)

FEATURE/PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY

  • Sean Davey, Oculi / ABC News, ‘The Goode Fight’

TELEVISION/VIDEO: CAMERAWORK

TELEVISION/VIDEO: CURRENT AFFAIRS SHORT (UNDER 20 MINUTES)

TELEVISION/VIDEO: CURRENT AFFAIRS LONG (OVER 20 MINUTES)

  • Adele Ferguson and Chris Gillett, ABC, Four Corners, ‘Pain Factory‘

ALL MEDIA: INTERNATIONAL

  • Avani Dias, Naomi Selvaratnam, Madeleine Genner and Mayeta Clark, ABC, Foreign Correspondent, Four Corners and ABC Listen, ‘Reporting from Modi’s India’ (1,2,3)

ALL MEDIA: INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM

  • Echo Hui, Elise Potaka and Dylan Welch, ABC, Four Corners and ABC News, ‘Ruthless Pursuit — China’s Secret Police, its Agents, and Global Campaign of Repression’ (1,2,3)

WALKLEY BOOK AWARD LONGLIST 

  • Julia Baird, Bright Shining, HarperCollins Publishers

Richard Glover drives off ABC Radio Sydney

After 26 glorious years steering 702 ABC Radio Sydney’s Drive program, esteemed presenter, journalist and author Richard Glover has announced he’s stepping away from the mic.

Glover began hosting Drive on 702 ABC Radio Sydney in 1998 and quickly became one of Sydney’s favourite presenters to accompany them home.

His program has grown to be an eclectic mix of humour, news, pop culture, politics, and anything else Glover dreams up.

In 1998 he started his popular Thank God It’s Friday program before adding a live studio audience to the show in 2009. TGIF has become a hilarious bookend to the work week and is beloved by his loyal audience for its humour, special guests and anything can happen style.

In December 2011 Richard and Peter FitzSimons achieved a record for the world’s longest radio interview, supervised by Guinness World Records at the ABC Ultimo Studios.

Glover first joined the ABC in 1996, presenting Mornings and before that worked at the Sydney Morning Herald, where he was Arts Editor, News Editor and European Correspondent. He’s also been nominated for three Walkley Awards – two for print, and one for radio.

He is the author of a number of books, including the memoir Flesh Wounds and the bestseller The Land Before Avocado.

Of the decision to leave Glover said: “It’s been a tough decision, but I’ve decided to leave the ABC Radio Sydney Drive show after 26 years, finishing at the end of November. It’s one of the best jobs in Australian journalism, and I feel I’ve hogged it for long enough. It has a terrific audience – funny, wise, full of intellect but also willing to share some of the deeper stories of being human. The program also offers the chance to do anything. Every afternoon we have politics, literature, music and comedy, all jockeying for position.”

Of what’s next, Glover said: “Sometime in the future, there may be new opportunities for me at the ABC, but in the short-term I plan to keep writing my column for the Sydney Morning Herald, attempt another book and dote over my three grandchildren. I also plan to get my knees done (after years of boring my listeners with my problems.)”

“I’ll miss the listeners, of course, but also my fabulous colleagues at 702 ABC Radio Sydney – radio’s best team.”

ABC Managing Director David Anderson said: “Richard is a once in a generation broadcaster who manages to strike the balance between news and politics and just having a really good yarn on radio.”

“I would like to thank Richard for giving so much of himself to his program. He has been an intrinsic part of 702 ABC Radio Sydney for more than 25 years and he will be missed by his colleagues and his audience in equal measure.”

Glover’s final program will be a Thank God It’s Friday spectacular on November 29 featuring Wendy Harmer, Tommy Dean and Tahir, with music from The Backsliders.

Details of ticketing for Richard’s last TGIF will be announced on the show in coming weeks.

 

POSITION: Managing Director, 2SER, Sydney NSW

2SER is currently seeking expressions of interest for a Managing Director to lead the strategic planning and setting of objectives to meet the 2SER vision of providing a stimulating forum for learning and the expression of alternative ideas, informed by and promoting principles of social justice.

2SER is a not-for-profit, independent, educational community radio station which broadcasts to the greater Sydney area on 107.3 FM, 2SER Digital and via 2ser.com.

For 45 years 2SER has provided Sydney with specialist music, news, opinion and current affairs programs that offer a unique insight into alternative culture and ideas that are largely ignored by the mainstream.

As the Managing Director, you will be responsible for:

  • Leading a team of dedicated broadcasting professionals and volunteers in the pursuit of creating educational and independent content tailored for the community
  • Strategic planning and the setting of objectives to meet 2SER’s mission and the development and implementation of policies and procedures in line with these objectives
  • Ensuring the effective strategic financial management of 2SER
  • Maintaining programming output that meets the information and other needs of the 2SER audience, ensuring that 2SER continues in its position as a leading community radio broadcaster
  • Working closely with the University of Technology Sydney, Macquarie University and the wider community to identify opportunities for students to become involved with 2SER as part of their studies
  • Maintaining 2SERs commitment to ethical broadcasting and business practices as its top priority

As the ideal candidate, you will be:

  • An experienced broadcasting and digital media professional with experience leading an organisation in either field.
  • Capable of the strategic management of organisational resources including financial, technological, information, communication and human resources
  • Passionate about community broadcasting and its objectives and be committed to ethical practice, equity and diversity and the application of Equal Opportunity and Occupational Health and Safety principles and practices
  • An effective communicator and be able to negotiate, problem solve and resolve conflict
  • Capable of critically analysing complex issues and exercising sound judgement

This is a full time, continuing position located at 2ser’s Sydney studios on the campuses of two dynamic universities – UTS (Broadway, Sydney) and Macquarie University (North Ryde, Sydney)

A competitive and attractive remuneration package is on offer based on experience.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your application via the UTS online recruitment system. Your application should include:

– A cover letter, outlining your stating your suitability, interest and motivation for applying
– A copy of your resume.

For the full list of the selection criteria and role responsibilities, please click the apply link and download the Position Description from the UTS website. 

Only those applications submitted via the UTS online recruitment system will be accepted. Current UTS employees should apply through their UTS Employee Self Service function.

Please ensure that the file name for each document submitted includes IRC297083 and your name.

Specific enquiries or issues with your application may be directed to the UTS Recruitment Team at recruitment@uts.edu.au

Closing Date: Thursday 17th of October 2024 at 11:59pm (AEST)

Applicants must have current and valid work rights in Australia.

For any enquires and a confidential discussion about the role please contact the UTS Recruitment Team on recruitment@uts.edu.au and your query will be directed to the most appropriate contact.

Please note, there is no closing date for this advertisement, and we will be actively reviewing applications as they are received. 

2SER reserves the right to remove the job advertisement at short notice. 

POSITION: Office Manager, 2RPH, Sydney NSW

2RPH Logo

WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

An enthusiastic, well-organised and dynamic individual with a passion for helping others, including those who are living with disability or are older.

WE ARE OFFERING:

  • An executive and administrative management role within an accessible media organisation with a strong community focus;
  • Rewarding work in support of an inspiring team of skilled volunteers;
  • The opportunity to work in a small, professional team within a large, caring community; and
  • Attractive salary packaging options and flexible hours.

OUR REQUIREMENTS:

The position involves co-ordination of internal and external business communications, membership and volunteer support, internal events, and the administrative needs of the Board and committees.

Reporting to the General Manager, you will be responsible for managing a wide range of administration functions to support the smooth running of the organisation.

Previous executive support and office management experience is essential and relevant tertiary qualifications are desirable.

For further information about Radio 2RPH go to www.2rph.org.au or to find out more about the job and to apply online go to:

https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/ethical-jobs-in-sydney-nsw

Progress on Prominence for free-to-air radio on smart speakers

Changing listening habits of Australians are leading to a rethink of how to make sure free-to-air radio stays free and accessible to everyone, especially our communities.

Audiences are increasingly listening to radio through internet connected devices such as smart speakers in the home or smart dashboard devices in modern cars. This brings new challenges for radio stations to find their audience, in comparison to a traditional radio where listeners only have to tune the dial. 

In the digital marketplace, your radio station is competing with a range of listening and viewing apps, all vying for audience attention. 

To make local community radio more easy to find on connected devices, the CBAA has been advocating over the last couple of years for the Government to introduce a radio prominence framework to make sure that community stations will always be easy for their local audiences to find on smart speakers. 

In a positive development last week, the Government is now looking at proposals that will ensure smart speakers take users to the station they asked for and which will prevent smart speaker providers from charging either stations or listeners for access, altering broadcast content or overlaying their own advertising. 

The Government’s radio prominence consultation paper mentions the important role played by community radio stations, acknowledging that they “have an immediate and direct connection to their communities.”  

The CBAA is currently looking at how to support and strengthen the proposal, in collaboration with other free-to-air radio sectors. The main issue for CBAA at the moment is that the proposal does not specifically mention radio in cars. We know that in-car listening is key for community radio and we will keep working with commercial radio, public broadcasters and the Government to secure prominence for community radio in cars.

FAST-TRACK YOUR CAREER IN RADIO AND PODCASTING

APPLICATIONS FOR AFTRS’ GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN RADIO AND PODCASTING CLOSE OCTOBER 29

Aspiring broadcasters and podcasters from around the country are encouraged to fast-track their career in this booming industry by applying for the Australian Film Television and Radio School’s (AFTRS) Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting. 

AFTRS offers flexible study for this course with options to study on-campus or online, full-time or part-time. 

Misty Fisher is just one of AFTRS’ students who is combining remote learning with a burgeoning broadcast career, having joined Clarence Valley’s 2GF last year. Misty is 2GF’s Breakfast host.  

Learn more about Misty’s experience of flexible learning at AFTRS here:

Andrea Ho, AFTRS Discipline Lead, Radio and Podcasting said:

“Misty tells a truly wonderful story about becoming a part of the audio industry – living in a country town, realising your dream no matter when – and of course, about AFTRS.

As media strives to better reflect Australia, I’m proud that students can now study radio and podcasting at AFTRS where and when they wish, and that we can help connect them directly to industry.

Saying that, Misty is special – who rides their bike to the station to do a breakfast shift? She is amazing.” 

Alumni from AFTRS’ Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting are working in Radio and Podcasting positions with some of Australia’s largest media organisations including Romy Sher, Podcast Producer, LISTNR;  Tim Bolch, Drive Announcer/ Assistant Content Director – Krock 95.5; Guy Clifton, Power 100 presenter, Triple M 102.3; Dylan Saville,  ABC Double J  Programs Producer; Leah Porges, Audio Producer, Mamamia; Ellie Parnell, Content Producer, The Music Show, Radio National; Mitchell Coombs, Producer, Is it Just Me Podcast, iHeartRadio; Liza Harvey, ABC Producer; Zan Rowe, Double J; Ed Kirkwood, Executive Producer, Will & Woody at Australian Radio Network; Fiona Pepper, ABC Radio National, Features Producer; Clinton Maynard, Presenter/Reporter, 2GB; Grace Rouvray, Presenter and Producer Mamamia; Greg Byrnes, Head of Content, Nine Radio; and Alice Moldovan, Producer, Conversations with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski at ABC. 

Many have gone on to win radio awards nationally and internationally and are in leadership roles in the industry both on-air and behind the scenes, including Pariya Taherzadah, Executive Podcast Producer at Vudoo and New York Festivals World Radio Awards Gold and Silver Winner for Escape from Iran; 2GB reporter Clinton Maynard won the ACRA for Brian White Award For Excellence In Journalism in 2023; Miles Martignoni, Head of Audio at Guardian Australia, podcasts include The Reckoning (New York Festival World Radio Awards, Winner of Gold and Grand Awards 2018) Breathless, and Witch Hunt; Tim Blackwell, NOVA’S Ricki Lee, Tim and Joel Show, and Kent Small (Smallzy), Smallzy’s Surgery, NOVA. 

The Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting is a hands-on and dynamic course for emerging broadcasters, podcasters and radio producers. Through specialised training and collaboration, in class and during live broadcasts, students learn at an advanced level that the cornerstones of good content are communication, storytelling and knowing your audience. Applications for 2025 close on October 29.  

Learn more here:

Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting

Patricia Karvelas moving to expanded role across ABC NEWS platforms

Leading ABC NEWS journalist and presenter Patricia Karvelas will take on an expanded role across platforms in 2025 with a key anchoring role on the ABC NEWS Channel in national politics.

Karvelas will also host a new politics podcast, in addition to continuing to present public discussion forum Q+A and weekly political wrap The Party Room.

The new role means she will be leaving Radio National after 10 years with the network, seven with RN Drive and three with RN Breakfast.

“After a decade it’s time to change it up and I’m ready to lean into a new cross-platform role,” Karvelas says.

“I want to thank the ABC for the opportunities it has provided me through my decade here. It continues to be the most important public institution in the country in my view and I want to help build its connections with voters across the country.

“I’ll miss the Radio National audience enormously. There’s something magical about waking up when the country is asleep to bring the big news and conversations to the country.”

ABC Director, News Justin Stevens said: “Patricia Karvelas is a talented presenter and formidable political journalist. She has done a superb job over many years on the RN network.

“In 2025 we want her to play a bigger role across our platforms to cover politics for our audience. We’re excited to see her have a broader audience across audio, TV and digital for ABC NEWS.”

Details of the new audio and TV projects will be announced in coming weeks, with the new presenter of RN Breakfast also to be announced soon.

Patricia Karvelas 

Patricia Karvelas has been a prominent journalist for more than 20 years, beginning her professional career in broadcast journalism at the ABC and SBS as both a producer and presenter. She worked for The Australian newspaper from 2002 covering federal politics, including as Victorian Bureau Chief and Editor and Senior National Affairs Journalist. She joined the ABC in 2014 and has presented Q+A, RN Drive, RN Breakfast, Afternoon Briefing and The Party Room, as well as contributing political analysis across audio, TV and digital.

Dean Lewis, Baker Boy, The Screaming Jets, and IVANA Join Forces with Radio Icons for 2024 ACRA Awards

Get ready to turn up the volume! The 35th Australian Commercial Radio & Audio (ACRA) Awards are taking over The Star Sydney on Saturday, 12 October, promising a spectacular celebration of Australia’s top radio and music stars.

Presenters sharing the stage will be some of Australia’s most iconic audio talent, including Brooke Blurton & Matty Mills, Deb Knight, Jimmy Smith & Nath Roye, Katie Woolf, Melissa Doyle & Richard Wilkins, Neil ‘Wilko’ Wilcock & Courtenay ‘Courts’ Kneen, Ray Hadley, Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald & Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli with Kate Richie, Steph Claire Smith & Laura Henshaw, Tim Blackwell & Joel Creasey, and Will McMahon & Woody Whitelaw.

“Radio is at the centre of Australian culture, offering vital information, entertainment, and connection around the clock. This year’s ACRA Awards will unite the industry’s pioneers and rising trailblazers who continue to reimagine the future of audio,” said Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) Chief Executive Officer Lizzie Young.

The awards celebrate outstanding on-air talent and recognise excellence across content, production, podcasting, sales and marketing. The event underscores the crucial role the industry plays in shaping media and connecting communities nationwide acknowledging campaigns focussed on local communities and radio’s use within marketing. CRA is also honoured that Minister for Communications, the Hon. Michelle Rowland MP will make a special appearance to present the awards for Best Community Campaign and Diversity and Inclusion.

Joining the celebrations are prominent voices shaping the Australian music scene. Rock legends The Screaming Jets will bring their signature high-octane energy to the stage, with lead singer Dave Gleeson sharing, “From a listener to a presenter I love everything about radio. I can’t wait to perform at the ACRA Awards, such a great night with all the luminaries of Oz radio in one room.”

Ahead of his sell out Australian tour and highly anticipated third album, The Epilogue, ARIA & APRA award winning and 14 billion streaming artist Dean Lewis will grace the ACRA stage. “I’m looking forward to performing at radio’s night of nights. To be invited to perform at the 2024 ACRA Awards is an honour,” said Lewis.

Award-winning Yolŋu hip hop artist Baker Boy is set to ignite the stage with an electrifying performance, and IVANA, the breakout star from Australian Idol, will bring her fresh, vibrant energy. Baker Boy said, “I’m so excited to be invited to perform at this year’s awards. We’re going to bring the party to the 2024 ACRA Awards.”

“The ACRA Awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the community that supports us as artists. I can’t wait to take the stage and be a part of a night to remember,” added IVANA.

For more information visit www.acras.com.au. This event is made possible thanks to the support of our sponsors: GfK, RCS, Audata, AudioNet, AFTRS, MusicMaster, aim, Campaign Boss, Xtra Insights, Triton, RadioInfo, and Radio Today.

SIBC’S FM 96.3 and ABC Radio Australia’s FM 107 now in Auki and surrounding communities

People in the provincial capital of Malaita Province, Auki in Solomon Islands and surrounding communities will now be able to hear the national service of the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation on its FM 96.3 frequency on their transistor radios, inside their vehicles and on their mobile phones.

This follows the installation of an FM96.3 transmitter on a Solomon Telekom transmission tower in Auki during the past several days.

At the same time, listeners in Auki and surrounding communities will also hear the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Radio Australia service on FM 107.

“This great milestone has been achieved as SIBC celebrated its 72nd anniversary of broadcasting in this country early this week. Our listeners in Auki and surrounding communities will now listen to programmes from the national service in Honiara through livestream with much clearer digital audio,” says an excited SIBC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Johnson Honimae.

“This is another step forward in the implementation of the Unity FM service that has been part of the strategy of the Corporation in the past several years. This adds on to the FM96.3 in Honiara and in Gizo in the Western Province.”

Mr Honimae adds, “SIBC would not have achieved the FM service in Auki without the great support of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation through the supply of equipment and engineers supported by SIBC’s own engineers who set up the two FM transmitters in the past several days.”

The project is a great achievement for the two public service broadcasters under a current three-year Memorandum of Understanding. As part of the relationship SIBC and ABC share among other things, technical expertise, including SIBC infrastructure to enable ABC to broadcast in Solomon Islands. ABC and SIBC broadcast technicians work closely together.

ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman said: “We are delighted that our two teams were able to come together to execute this exciting new development in FM transmission, connecting communities across Auki and the Malaita Province. The collaboration between our technical teams encapsulates the true spirit of our longstanding friendship and partnership with SIBC. We congratulate them on the tremendous milestone of their 72nd anniversary and look forward to future opportunities to support one another’s work as public broadcasters.”

Both public service broadcasters also participate in content exchanges in areas such as news and current affairs, sport, music, lifestyle and general interest content. Staff exchanges are also possible under the SIBC-ABC MoU.

SIBC is now in discussions with the Malaita Provincial Government for a piece of land for the establishment of an FM studio in Auki to produce programs focused on Malaita Province. Auki FM96.3 will currently broadcast programs from the SIBC National Service in Honiara.

Listeners to SIBC in Malaita Province can also receive the National Service on AM 1035khz and SW 5020 khz and online: sibconline.com.sb.

RadComms 2024: Keynote address, speakers and program

Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, will deliver the keynote address at this year’s RadComms conference.

The minister’s speech will begin the first day of an exciting line-up of panel conversations and talks, spanning from network innovations to the future of TV. Day 2 will feature important discussions on AI, regulatory futures and secure, resilient communications.

Don’t miss out on the chance to engage with experts, participate in open forums and share the latest spectrum developments and trends.

Check out the program, and find out more about this year’s speakers.

Register now

When: Thursday 24 and Friday 25 October 2024

Where: Park Hyatt Melbourne

Cost:
Group rate (5 or more attendees): $700 inc. GST per person + booking fee
Standard rate: $760 inc. GST per person + booking fee

Tickets are limited, so register now.