Matt Cunningham crowned journalist of the year at 2023 Northern Territory Media Awards
The Territory’s top journalists have been recognised at a ceremony in Darwin. See the full list of winners.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Three News Corp Australia journalists have taken out top honours at this year’s Northern Territory Media Awards.
Sky News Darwin Bureau chief Matt Cunningham was crowned Journalist of the Year, while former NT News cadet Riley Walter won Marchbanks Young Journalist of the Year.
The Australian’s Liam Mendes was awarded Print/Text Best News Coverage and Visual Storytelling for his reporting on Territory issues.
NT News reporters Jason Walls, Zizi Averill and Sierra Haigh were also named as finalists.
It was the second time Cunningham, a former Editor of the NT News, took home the prestigious title.
His winning body of work shined a light on the domestic and family violence against Aboriginal women in Alice Springs, and a disastrous government-sponsored affordable housing project in Darwin.
His reporting on a wave of crime in Alice Springs, also included in his submission, prompted a snap visit by the Prime Minister and his TV reporting and coverage on the issue received 105,000 views on YouTube.
“Only the best reporting can make a nation stop and listen – Matt Cunningham’s brilliant and sensitive coverage of Alice Springs did exactly that,” the judging panel said.
Cunningham was also recognised as winner of the Television/Radio Best News Coverage and Print/Text Feature Writing awards at a ceremony held at Darwin City’s Smith St Social on Saturday night..
An initiative of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, delivered in partnership with the NT Press Club, the annual NT Media Awards support and encourage professional and ethical reporting and celebrate excellence in Territorian journalism.
Walter was recognised by the judges as showing “great promise as a young journalist”.
“Riley’s work showed a drive for an interesting story and ability to tell a captivating tale. He was able to find interesting angles in some of the biggest stories in the Territory and secure talent before anyone else,” they said.
Mendes’ reporting was recognised as showing “compassion and a dedication to telling both sides of a controversial story”.
His photography skills were found to show “technical excellence as well as flair for photography”.
“He built genuine rapport with the people he photographed and the impact is clear with a dozen lead stories in The Australian contributing to a national debate and eventually a federal support package for the NT,” the judges said.
NT Press Club president, Sarah Spina-Matthews, applauded the incredibly high standard of entries this year.
“I would like to congratulate all of the winners, finalists and entrants, as well as all of the members of the NT media industry who work hard every day to keep the public informed and hold those in power to account – quality journalism is incredibly important in the Northern Territory and these awards demonstrate the calibre of work being produced here,” Ms Spina-Matthews said.
“I consider myself lucky to work alongside the reporters, producers, editors, operations staff, camera operators and managers who make what we do possible.”
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
GOLD AWARDS
NT Journalist of the Year: Matt Cunningham, Sky News Australia – Darwin Bureau
Marchbanks Young Journalist of the Year: Riley Walter, NT News
PRINT/TEXT
Best News Coverage: Liam Mendes, The Australian, “Northern Territory body of work”
Best Feature Writing: Matt Cunningham, Sky News Australia – Darwin Bureau, “Stories of the NT”
Best Magazine or Lift Out: Off the Leash Team, Off the Leash Magazine
TELEVISION/RADIO
Best News Coverage: Matt Cunningham, Sky News Australia – Darwin Bureau, “The Violence that Gripped the NT”
Best Current Affairs or Feature: Matt Garrick, ABC News Darwin, “Behind a social breakdown”
Excellence in Radio Broadcasting: Myles Houlbrook-Walk, ABC’s triple J Hack, “The lives of young people in the Territory”
ALL MEDIA
Best Online Coverage: Matt Garrick, Hamish Harty, Emily Sakzewski and Steve Vivian, ABC News Darwin, “Fight for Peace”
Best Sports Journalism: Myles Houlbrook-Walk, ABC, “Body of work”
Best Crime / Court Reporting: David Wood and Christopher Walsh, NT Independent, “Fatal Failures: Behind the scenes of the Zach Rolfe affair”
Pete Davies Memorial Campaigning Journalism Award: Roxanne Fitzgerald, ABC, “Turning a blind eye”
Indigenous Affairs Reporting: Jane Bardon, ABC News Darwin, “Toxic mine dust inaction, Water map petition and The police and Peppimenarti”
Visual Storytelling: Liam Mendes, The Australian, “Northern Territory body of work”
More Coverage
Originally published as Matt Cunningham crowned journalist of the year at 2023 Northern Territory Media Awards
Major win for NT motorists: Rego checks every 10 years
In a major win for Territory motorists, light vehicles less than 10 years old will from next year no longer be required to undergo periodic roadworthy inspections. Read why.
Sneak peek: Aussie sporting icons make beanie debut at Alice festival
Some Australian sporting icons are set to make an appearance at this year’s Alice Springs Beanie festival – but not in a way you’d expect. Find out more.