The Australian Press Council supports the annual “Ossie Awards” run by the Journalism Education and Research Association of Australia (JERAA). Each year, The Australian Press Council funds three prizes for outstanding work by journalism students:
The Australian Press Council Prize for Journalism Student of the Year ($750). This is for a student who has performed well in all academic subjects and who has also produced outstanding journalism as part of their coursework.
The Australian Press Council Undergraduate Prize for an essay on the topic of press freedom or media ethics ($200)
The Australian Press Council Postgraduate Prize for an essay on the topic of press freedom or media ethics ($200)
2020 winners
The Australian Press Council Prize for Journalism Student of the Year ($750 prize)
Winner: Jess Malcolm, University of Melbourne
“Writing with flair, accuracy and mastering today’s digital media complexities are today’s basics that stand a journalist apart. This year, our winner, Jess Malcolm, dug deep and exposed hidden gems by going country - reporting on bees, seaweed and pig poo, to name a few. Jess’s solid academic record shone, delivering information packed articles with passion, accuracy and clarity.”
Judges from The Australian Press Council
The Australian Press Council Undergraduate Prize for an essay on the topic of media ethics ($200 prize)
Winner: Imogen Slater, Monash University: Untitled essay on the ethics of source protection.
“Imogen’s essay discusses the challenges that all journalists face with their ethical obligation, when they have agreed to protect source anonymity under the current constraints and ambiguity of the Australian legal system. For her research and compelling argument for legal reform, Imogen is the recipient of this year’s award.
Judges from The Australian Press Council.
The Australian Press Council Postgraduate Prize for an essay on the topic of media ethics ($200 prize)
Winner: Merve O’Keefe, Monash University: The Me Too Movement’s Impact on Journalistic Practice
“Merve wrote a well-structured essay on the ethical and legal impacts of the MeToo Movement on journalistic practice. It was a thoughtful connection to a topical subject highlighting the need for journalists to maintain their ethical standards in contrast to the unrestrained environment social media.”
Judges from The Australian Press Council
Journalism departments in tertiary institutions interested in participating in this program are invited
to contact the Council or JERAA. Details about past winners can be found on the JERAA website at
https://jeraa.org.au/past-winners/. The “Ossies” are named after journalist Osmar S. White.