Seven West Media (SWM) has reaffirmed its status as a leading force in journalism at the WA Media Awards 2025, securing a remarkable total of 13 awards. This triumphant achievement highlights the newsroom’s exceptional storytelling abilities and commitment to quality journalism across various categories.
Outstanding Achievements Recognized
The awards ceremony showcased significant accomplishments from The West Australian, which for the third consecutive year received the accolade for Best News Photograph. This year, the honor went to photographer Ross Swanborough for his poignant images capturing the grief of mourners at the site of a tragic car accident in Murdoch.
Highlighting individual excellence, Jessica Page, the state political editor at The West Australian, was awarded The Beck Prize for her insightful coverage of the challenges faced by Libby Mettam, the leader of the Liberal Party in Western Australia. Additionally, John Flint received the prize for Best Medical Report for his investigative series in The Sunday Times, which exposed malpractice in the dental industry. His work prompted intervention from the Australian Taxation Office and health regulators to address loopholes that allowed patients to misuse their superannuation for non-urgent dental procedures.
Innovative Multimedia and Investigative Reporting
The Multimedia News prize was awarded to a collaborative effort by Natalie Bonjolo, head of digital production, and chief reporter Ben Harvey. They produced a compelling true crime investigative podcast series focused on the unresolved disappearance of Lisa Govan in 1999. The series has drawn significant public attention, shedding light on a case that remains a mystery.
SWM’s dominance extended to three of the four text format categories. Chief sub-editor Paul Barry won Best Headline for his provocative title, “Cocaine, Knobs, and a Kick Up the Rs.” Political reporter Caitlyn Rintoul was recognized with Best News Report for her thorough investigation into Western Australia’s failing violence support systems. Meanwhile, Justin Bianchini, news editor at PerthNow, took home the award in the Suburban category for his impactful feature series titled “Domestic Crisis & Carn West.”
In a significant acknowledgment of lifetime achievement, Tim Clarke, former legal affairs editor at The West Australian, received the prestigious Clarion Award for Outstanding Contribution to Journalism.
Other notable winners included Geof Parry, political editor at 7News Perth, who secured Best News Reporting for his coverage of the NicheLiving saga, while cameraman Christian Rudd was recognized for his exceptional footage related to the same story. The award for Best Video Feature went to Nick Overall and Simon Hydzik from 7News, who investigated the alleged activities of Perth’s Shincheonji cult. Parry’s contributions earned him the title of co-winner alongside ABC journalists Alicia Hanson and Nadia Mitsopoulos as West Australian Journalists of the Year.
The WA Media Awards not only celebrate journalistic excellence but also reflect the vital role that media plays in informing the public and holding power to account. With its impressive haul of awards, Seven West Media continues to set a high standard for journalism in Western Australia.
