Top journos finalists in Walkley Awards

Ten of The Australian’s journalists have been named as finalists for the prestigious Walkley Awards and 12 have been nomin­ated for the News Awards.

Hedley Thomas and Peter Murphy. Picture: Glenn Hunt

Ten of The Australian’s journalists have been named as finalists for the prestigious Walkley Awards and 12 have been nomin­ated for the News Awards for stories ranging from investigations into Chinese influence to the search for Janine­ Vaughan in Hedley Thomas’s The Night Driver podcast.

The journalists recognised include Sharri Markson and Kylar Loussikian, who have been listed for their exposure of Chinese state efforts to ensnare Australian researchers and their work.

Jessica Halloran and Julian Linden were nominated for their work on the dark secrets of world sport and ice skating.

An exclusive story by business journalists Jared Lynch and Nick Evans shamed Rio Tinto for its attempt­ to squeeze suppliers for payment discounts.

Trent Dalton was nominated for feature writing for his tale of the aftermath of the bushfires that hit the NSW south coast.

Hedley Thomas, Slade Gibson and Peter Murphy have been nominated for podcast The Night Driver, delving into the disappearance of a woman in NSW.

The winners of the awards will be announced online only as part of COVID-safe restrictions.

Walkley Foundation chief Louisa Graham said the awards remind people of the work that goes into sparking inquiries, prompting changes to the law and holding the powerful to account.

“This year’s finalists continue to impress with courageous acts of journalism,” she said.

“We had hoped that, despite the uncertainty created by COVID-19, we would be able to come together in person to celebrate the hard work, innovation and resilience (of) our industr­y over the past 12 months. But to safeguard the health and safety of our journalists, partners and staff, we will celebrate virtually.”

News Corp Australia is also preparing to recognise the journ­alistic excellence of its media family, announcing the finalists of the News Awards.

Twelve journalists from The Australian are among the finalist.

Damon Johnston, Rachel Baxendale, Remy Varga, Sharri Markson, Kylar Loussikian, Adam Creighton, Hedley Thomas, Trent Dalton, Damon Kitney, John Stensholt, Peter van Onselen and Jessica Halloran have all been nominated for their groundbreaking work.

Now entering their 16th year, the News Awards are also being broadcast online only.

News Corp Australasia executive chairman Michael Miller said he could not recall “a more challenging … year for the judges”. “If one theme stands out … it is the commitment of everyone at News Corp to serve and meet the needs of the communities in which they work,’’ he said.

“This year, these communities have needed our support as they’ve navigated firstly bushfires, droughts and floods then the impacts … of COVID-19.”