Finalists for the 53rd Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism were announced this week at events in Sydney and Melbourne. All finalists will now go on for judging by the Walkley Advisory Board across 34 categories in print, radio, television, photography and all media. Winners will be announced at the Walkley Award Gala Ceremony at Crown Palladium, Melbourne on November 27. View a full list here.
 

The Media Alliance has been contacted by a number of freelance members advising they have unpaid invoices from Pol Publishing. As you are already aware, Pol Publishing has closed its doors and is no longer trading.  Though it is only early stages, it is safe to say that the prospects for having those invoices paid are fairly bleak. However, it is important that all freelancers who are owed money take all reasonable steps to recover unpaid invoices.

Fairfax management announced last week it would be axing 110 to 120 positions at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, in its latest round of cost-cutting. The company also admitted it is targeting all staff, including sub editors, reporters, designers and photographers. The Alliance and the Fairfax House Committee will meet with the company again this week before stop-work meetings with all staff to discuss our response. Read more at the "Fair Go, Fairfax" website.

The Alliance has written to Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus to protest the Australian Federal Police raid on the home of Philip Dorling, the national affairs correspondent for The Canberra Times. The Alliance said the raid is an attack on press freedom, adding that it undermines the Rudd Government's election promise to enact shield laws that adequately protect journalists and their sources.

The winners of the Queensland Media Awards were announced at a gala presentation dinner over the weekend, following the Alliance’s Brisbane Future of Journalism conference. The Townsville Bulletin’s John Andersen received Queensland media’s highest honour; the Most Outstanding Contribution to Queensland Journalism Award for his “mentor qualities, commitment to the Code of Ethics and contribution not only to journalism but to his community.” The Australian’s Tony Koch was also singled out for a special mention, taking home the coveted Journalist of the Year Award. Read more.