ABC investigations receive top honours at the ASC Awards, highlighting excellence in sports journalism.
The ABC achieved significant recognition at the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Awards held on Wednesday, with two of its investigative reports receiving top accolades.
A team from ABC News Tasmania, comprising Jessica Moran, Chris Rowbottom, Andy Burns, and Charlotte King, was awarded for “Best coverage of a community sport issue – rural & regional media”. Their investigative piece, titled “Stacking the Odds: Inside a Tasmanian harness racing juggernaut,” shed light on pressing concerns within the Tasmanian harness racing scene, prompting the Ray Murrihy inquiry. This inquiry later unveiled critical issues plaguing the industry.
In another category, David Mark, an esteemed ABC National Sport Reporter, was honored as a joint recipient of the “Best reporting of an issue in sport” award. Mark’s investigation focused on Stephen Mitchell, a rock climbing coach with a history of paedophilia, highlighting the darker aspects of sports coaching and mentorship.
Adding to ABC’s commendations, Samantha Lewis from ABC Sport received a high commendation in the “Best sport profile – written” category for her insightful article, “Meet Angela Iannotta, Australia’s forgotten World Cup pioneer”, which profiles a significant figure in Australian women’s soccer.
The ASC Media Awards, celebrating over two decades of excellence, applaud outstanding contributions to sports journalism, broadcasting, production, and photography across Australia.
ABC saw additional nominations across various categories, including Corbin Middlemas for “Best sport coverage by an individual – broadcast”, ABC Sport Daily by Patrick Stack in the “Best sport podcast” category, and notable entries in the “Best coverage of a community sport issue– rural & regional media” and “Best coverage of sport for people with disability” categories, featuring stories from ABC Regional Western Australia and ABC South West Victoria, as well as That Pacific Sports Show‘s coverage of the Oceania Para Badminton Championships.
