‌‌ Best News or Current Affairs Story
This award acknowledges excellence in journalism and news or current affairs coverage of a specific story. It recognises the interview techniques, production standards, appropriateness of the format and content for the target audience, and effectiveness of the story.
Winner:
Guilty of Being Stolen - Madeline Hayman-Reber & Sylvia Rowley
NITV revealed last year that this is the reality for thousands of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people across Victoria who were taken under the Children’s Welfare Act up until 1992. For many people like Uncle Talgium Edwards and Aunty Vickie Roach, having that first offence listed on their record meant harsher penalties when they actually did break the law, spiralling them into a life of crime. A week before the follow up story went to air, Victorian Attorney-General Martin Pakula made the announcement that the Government would expunge these records and was considering an apology.