In July 2012 the Illawarra News was established as an on-line site for citizen journalism with a focus on news, public affairs and community in the Illawarra and South Coast. In June 2013 awards were presented in five categories: Community Advocate, Journalism and Media Advocacy, People’s Choice, Outstanding Elected Councillor, and Panel’s Commendation for Community Development and Leadership in Local Government.
Around 80 people turned up to the awards night at the University of Wollongong. The evening started with an excellent presentation by students on media ownership and diversity. Very entertaining. Walkley Award winning journalist Debra Jopson spoke of her work which has focused on Indigenous issues in Australian media.
I was pleased that “BEYOND FEAR AND LOATHING: Local politics at work” had been nominated for the Journalism and Media Advocacy award and delighted that it won.
