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Legal Reporting Awards 2009

For reports published or broadcast in 2008 on Victorian legal issues

In 2009 Victoria Law Foundation will again be making awards to promote the highest standards of media reporting on courts and legal issues in Victoria. Commenced in 1998, the awards recognise legal journalism at its best, and testify to the professional skills of journalists covering the courts and legal issues in Victoria. Reports published or broadcast interstate are also eligible for entry if they show a strong connection with Victorian legal issues.

Awards are offered in 13 categories:

• reporter of the year on legal issues

• best report in print

• best report on television - long form

• best report on television - same day

• best report on radio

• best online report

• best report in multi-cultural media

• best report in community media

• best report by regional media - all media

• best camera work still/moving

• best illustration

• Columb Brennan Award for excellence in court reporting

• Tony Smith Award for reporting which promotes an understanding of the work of the courts

These categories are broad and cover news stories, features, documentaries or interviews, on court stories or legal issues. The judges reserve the right to place entries in categories other than those selected. The judges reserve the right to withhold making an award in any category.

Entries may be submitted by journalist, photographer, illustrator, their employer, or others who believe the work deserves recognition.

No more that two stories may be submitted for each category of entry. To submit an entry for more than one category, simply tick multiple categories on the entry form.

SIX COPIES of each entry must be submitted with a completed entry form attached to each, to enable distribution to judges. CDs or DVDs to be supplied of television and radio reports. Entries will not be returned.

Entry closes 5pm Thursday 26 February 2009

Send to: Ms Joady Donovan, Marketing & Communications Manager, Victoria Law Foundation, Level 5, 43 Hardware Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000, Tel 9604 8155

Judging panel
The Hon Justice Marilyn Warren, Chief Justice of Victoria and President of Victoria Law Foundation represented by her nominee The Hon Justice Jack Forrest
Anne Stanford, Supreme Court Strategic Communications Advisor
Michael Smith, Director, Inside Public Relations
Dermot O'Brien, Director of News, ATV Channel Ten, Melbourne
Leigh Henningham, Pictorial Editor, The Age
Joh Kirby, Executive Director, Victoria Law Foundation

Entry form PDF
for handwritten entry

Entry form DOC
for typed entry

Results archive

Results 2008 PDF

Justice Kirby 2008 speech PDF

Justice Forrest 2008 speech PDF