BREAKING: Seven West Media has just been recognized as the dominant force at the 2025 WA Media Awards, clinching an impressive 13 awards across various categories. This remarkable achievement solidifies the newsroom’s reputation as one of the best in the state and highlights the exceptional talent of its journalists.
Among the major winners, Jessica Page, state political editor at The West Australian, was honored with The Beck Prize for her in-depth reporting on challenges facing Libby Mettam’s leadership. Additionally, John Flint received the award for Best Medical Report with his eye-opening series in The Sunday Times, which uncovered malpractice in the dental industry, prompting critical actions from health regulators.
The awards ceremony, held earlier today, showcased the excellence of Seven West Media in investigative journalism, particularly in the multimedia category. Natalie Bonjolo, head of digital production, and chief reporter Ben Harvey were awarded for their compelling true crime podcast series on the unresolved disappearance of Lisa Govan from Kalgoorlie in 1999.
Ross Swanborough also captured attention with his award-winning photograph depicting the emotional aftermath of a tragic car accident in Murdoch. Meanwhile, Stuart Quinn from the Geraldton Guardian took home the top honor for regional photography.
The competition was fierce, but Seven West Media journalists excelled in three of the four text format categories. Chief sub-editor Paul Barry won Best Headline for the provocative “Cocaine, Knobs, and a Kick Up the Rs,” while political reporter Caitlyn Rintoul earned Best News Report for her impactful investigation into WA’s Failing Violence Support Systems.
Justin Bianchini, news editor for PerthNow, was recognized for his powerful series titled “Domestic Crisis & Carn West,” winning in the Suburban category. In a standout moment, former legal affairs editor Tim Clarke received the prestigious Clarion Award for Outstanding Contribution to Journalism.
In the realm of broadcast journalism, Geof Parry, political editor at 7News Perth, was awarded Best News Reporting for his coverage of the NicheLiving saga. His colleague, cameraman Christian Rudd, also received accolades for his exceptional footage related to the same story. The Best Video Feature award went to Nick Overall and Simon Hydzik for their investigative report exposing the secrets of Perth’s alleged Shincheonji cult.
Parry shared the honor of West Australian Journalist of the Year with ABC reporters Alicia Hanson and Nadia Mitsopoulos for their collaborative reporting on the NicheLiving scandal, underscoring the competitive nature of this year’s awards.
With such a commanding presence at the WA Media Awards, Seven West Media continues to set the standard in journalism, prompting discussions about the future of media in the region. As the industry evolves, all eyes will be on how these journalists leverage their success to drive impactful storytelling in the coming year.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops and as Seven West Media continues to lead the way in delivering critical news stories that matter to the community.
