The Centre’s Media Awards 2024 winners announced

Congratulations to all the winners of the Centre’s Media Awards 2024.

Announced at the Centre’s Annual General Meeting in Melbourne on Wednesday, 27 November, the awards have grown over the past five years, attracting nominations from across Australia by journalists, media outlets, member agencies and the children, young people and families who are impacted by the stories.

The Centre’s CEO, Deb Tsorbaria, said the Awards were meaningful to the Centre as we realise how powerful the media can be in driving change for children and young people.

“Too often, children, young people, and families are left out of the media narrative. But when they are included, their stories can make a real difference—particularly when their voices are missing from the tables where decisions about their lives are being made. We know how important it is for lived experience to shape policy, and until recently, it’s often been the media that’s given children and young people the platform to be heard.”

The annual Media Awards recognise journalists who have sought to elevate the voices of children and families in a respectful and material way.

There are four Categories:

• Best story about young people
• Best story about children
• Best story about families
• Best story about out-of-home care

In 2024 we have included a Special Award for Lived Experience reporting.

Our winners this year are:

Best Story about Children

Wendy Tuohy and Madeleine Heffernan
The Age

State of Our Kids – post Covid series

Victoria’s very unique experience of lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic has also created some unique issues for children and young people. This series coverage of multiple important aspects of children’s well-being and its structured and considered approach made it a stand out.

Highly Commended:

Natasha Bita
The Australian

Sickening childcare case a wakeup to systemic failures

This highly impactful story exposed the gaps and loopholes in child protection and child safety laws and the process of police identifying every child in more than 4000 images and videos containing alleged child abuse material.

Best Story about Families

Daniel Miles and Richelle Hunt
ABC News / The Conversation Hour Podcast

Australian prisons a ‘blind spot’ for mothers and children, advocates warn

Listen to Podcast

Exploring a critical and often overlooked issue, this impactful piece shows how news media and longer-form media can work together to explore issues and drive awareness and change.

Best Story about OOHC

Katri Uibu
ABC News

When a mother’s love is not enough  

An incredibly impactful piece that highlights the difficulties faced by parents families who are unable to find the help and support they need for young people using violence in the home.

Best Story about Young People

Arianna Lucente
triple j Hack

After crisis accommodation: Are ‘foyers’ the key to fixing youth homelessness?

Judges’ comments: Nominated for this award by a young person who features, this article provides comprehensive coverage of the issue of youth homelessness, focusing on practical solutions, and respectfully includes the voices of young people. ‘

Highly Commended:

Natasha Bita
The Australia

Overseas gangs target boys with sextortion 

This story from late 2023 was one of the first to expose the extend of sextortion targeting young men in Australia, an issue that has grown to become a major focus of political debate on how to keep young people safe online.

Judges Award for Lived Experience Reporting

Rosie Waterland
Sydney Morning Herald

Part of me hoped many times that my mum would die. Last week she did.

This story is deeply moving and provides valuable insights into the lifelong emotional struggles faced by children and young people experiencing family violence. The author shows bravery and resilience in sharing her experiences and feelings that will resonate with many victim-survivors.

Congratulations to all of our nominees, finalists and winners.