Congratulations to Hagar Cohen and Raveen Hunjan from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s 7:30 for winning the 2023 Media Diversity Australia Walkley Award for their impactful piece ‘Racism allegations lead to staff exodus’.  

Thank you to award sponsor the National Ethnic Broadcasters Multicultural Council.

Hagar and Raveen’s win was announced at the Walkley Foundation’s Mid-Year Celebration of Journalism event.

The Media Diversity Australia Award administered by the Walkley Foundation honours journalists who are making an outstanding contribution through their reporting or coverage of diverse people or issues in Australia. This includes culturally  diverse communities and people with disability.

It celebrates reporting that demonstrates notable courage in raising awareness of the above experiences and perspectives, as well as innovation in the telling of these stories. 

It recognises the significance of media coverage in providing nuanced reporting which serves to alter perceptions and attitudes, challenge stereotypes and fight misinformation.

Hagar and Raveen’s winning work investigated allegations of workplace racism from within one of Australia’s most trusted government-funded agencies. Their five-month-long investigation uncovered an exodus of culturally diverse staff and featured three of the organisation’s own lawyers speaking out about racism on the job.

Media Diversity Australia CEO Mariam Veiszadeh said, “Whose stories are told or not told, and how they are framed within the media plays a significant role in shaping perceptions of historically unrepresented groups in the broader community. As a powerful cultural megaphone, the media has the potential to challenge or perpetuate stereotypes.

The winners of this year’s award and their powerfully impactful piece shining a light on racism speaks very much to Media Diversity Australia’s mission. 

It is crucial to prioritise cultural safety, particularly for journalists from marginalised backgrounds, as we witness the impact of racist abuse and vitriol on respected journalists like Stan Grant, a Wiradjuri man. 

We are proud to partner with the Walkley Foundation in recognising exceptional finalists who contribute significantly by reporting or covering diverse people and issues in Australia.”