Seven West Media has garnered significant recognition at this year’s WA Media Awards, with multiple nominations showcasing their commitment to excellence in journalism. The awards, which highlight outstanding work across various categories, will announce winners at a gala dinner on November 8, 2023.
Leading the nominations is Matt McKenzie, a business reporter for The West, who has received three nominations. His investigative work on the plight of customers from Inspired Property Group, who were left waiting for unfinished homes, is a finalist for the prestigious Arthur Lovekin Prize for Excellence in Journalism. This reporting has spurred a review of building laws by the State Government. McKenzie’s entries also include coverage of Western Australia’s economic challenges, inflation causes, and the costs associated with the Metronet project, earning him slots in the multimedia feature and multimedia news categories.
Another standout, federal political reporter Caitlyn Rintoul, received nominations in two categories: health and social equity. Her impactful reporting on the failures within WA’s sexual assault services highlights the dire human cost of insufficient support systems for violence victims.
Recognition also extends to chief reporter Ben Harvey and head of digital production Natalie Bonjolo, who are both nominated twice for their compelling podcast series, Catching Lisa’s Killer: The Inquest. This true crime podcast, which delves into a tragic case in the WA outback, has captured the attention of audiences across the nation.
Additional nominations include Jessica Page, who is a finalist for best political report thanks to her uncovering of alarming pre-election polling for the Liberal party, which led to a leadership spill. Jay Hanna, the editor of Nightly magazines, is in the running for best columnist, while investigative reporter John Flint has been acknowledged for revealing issues of financial exploitation in the medical field, particularly regarding superannuation withdrawals for treatment.
Veteran photographer Ross Swanborough has also achieved recognition, being a finalist for both best news photograph and feature photography, with a noteworthy portrait of World War II hero Bill Grayden.
In the suburban news story category, journalists Justin Bianchini, Harriet Flinn, and Michael Palmer from PerthNow filled all three finalist spots. Bianchini is additionally nominated for best legal affairs report, while Palmer stands out in the best headline category, which is largely represented by Seven West Media.
This year’s nominations reflect the high standard of journalism practiced by Seven West Media and its dedication to uncovering important stories that resonate with the community. As the anticipation builds for the gala dinner, the media organization is poised to celebrate its achievements in journalism and storytelling.
