Q: What are the Queensland Media Awards?
A: The Queensland Media Awards are the pre-eminent state-based awards promoting excellence in the media. The annual awards celebrate quality journalism, and reward media professionals whose commitment to excellence in media coverage best informs and entertains Queenslanders.
Q: Who organises and supports the Queensland Media Awards?
A: The Queensland Media Awards is co-ordinated by the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance - the union and professional association for journalists and media professionals. The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance is custodian of the Awards in its professional capacity. The 2008 Awards were supported and sponsored by media organisations including ABC, Queensland Newspapers, Network Ten, Seven Network, Queensland Parliamentary Media Gallery and Rural Press Club of Queensland. Other sponsors in 2008 and previous years included: Virgin Blue, University of Queensland, James Cook University, QUT, Griffith University, Kingfisher Bay Resort, Queensland Council of Social Service, John Deere & Company and Multicultural Affairs Queensland.
Q: Who can enter the Queensland Media Awards?
A: Entry is open to all journalists and media professionals across all forms of print and electronic media throughout Queensland. Those who enter do not have to be members of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance. The Awards entry administration fee, however, is waived for Alliance members as one of the benefits of their membership.
Q: How can I enter the 2009 Queensland Media Awards?
A: Complete the entry form and send it with the following material to: Locked Bag 526, Spring Hill QLD 4004. Entries close 5pm, Friday, 24 July, 2009.
1. NEWSPAPER ENTRIES: An original tearsheet of each print entry in each category plus three photocopies (all four with a copy of the completed entry form attached) OR photographic print/cartoon/illustration/graphic plus original tearsheet plus three photocopies of tearsheet (all four with a copy of the completed entry form attached);
OR TELEVISION & RADIO ENTRIES: four individually marked audio/video recordings (DVD or CD ONLY) or print-out of online/news wire entries (all four with a copy of the completed entry form attached);
3. A statement of 150-200 words outlining the research and preparation of the story.
Q: Who judges the Queensland Media Awards?
A: A three-person panel judges entries. Past judges have included: the ABC’s Jessica Van Vonderen and Kirrin McKechnie; The Australian’s Hedley Thomas; Seven Network’s Neil Warren and Michael McKinnon; The Courier-Mail’s Anna Reynolds and Robyn Ironside; Network Ten’s Cathie Schnitzerling and Jane Hodgkinson; AAP’s Nikki Todd; and journalism educators Phil Castle, Professor Michael Bromley, Dr Michael Meadows and Desley Bartlett. The Awards Board decides the winner of the Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism category. Past winners of the Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism Award include The Townsville Bulletin's John Andersen (2008), Network Ten's Cathy Border (2007), The Courier-Mail’s Peter Morley (2006), the ABC’s Bob Johnston (2005), 4BC’s Scott McKinlay (2004), Channel Nine’s Spencer Jolly (2003) and The Australian’s Patrick Hamilton (2002).
Q: What do winners of Queensland Media Awards categories receive?
A: The winner of each category in 2009 receives a certificate and cheque for $550, except winners of the Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism and Student categories who each receive a certificate and a cheque for $1000 and $6000 respectively.
Q: Where does your sponsorship dollar go?
A: The Alliance receives no financial benefit from the Awards. Awards revenue goes towards subsidising the presentation dinner, ensuring regional journalists and media professionals attend the dinner, promotional material and winners’ cheques. Any unspent revenue remains in the Awards account for promoting next year’s awards and professional activities.
Q: Where can I find out further information?
A: For further information on all matters related to the Queensland Media Awards, please contact Anna Magnus on 07 3846 0139 or 0423 363 725. Anna is also contactable via email at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
