7NEWS Chief Reporter Chris Reason and cameraman Simon Hydzik jointly received an award in the All Media category for coverage of major news event or issue, recognising their frontline reporting of the devastating Israel-Hamas war. The Walkley judges, acknowledging the war as “dangerous, difficult and divisive”, praised the experience of the small 7NEWS team for delivering “careful and considered coverage of the unfolding conflict” and for revealing “the human face of tragedy on both sides”.
Reason also received the Investigative Journalism award in All Media category for Bishop of Broome, a relentless four-year investigation and series of reports that ultimately led to the arrest of former Bishop Christopher Saunders.
The highest-ranked Catholic in Australia is currently facing child sex offences. His arrest came months after 7NEWS first uncovered details of a top-secret Vatican report ordered by Pope Francis, believed to be one of only 20 such Vatican investigations globally.
Seven Network Director of News and Current Affairs and Seven West Media Editor-in-Chief, Anthony De Ceglie, said: “These awards are well-deserved recognition of excellent journalism – of which 7NEWS strives for every single day.”
“Chris and Simon should be very proud of an award that is a testament to the finest reporting in one of the most dangerous of locations.
“Individually, Chris should be very honoured for a rare feat of winning two Walkley Awards in one night for different investigations. It’s yet another credit to his very distinguished record of journalism over many years and why he is our chief reporter at 7NEWS,” he said.
Reason said: “I am beyond proud to be honoured with each of these prestigious Walkley Awards. Simon and I are deeply humbled to be recognised by our peers for our coverage of the Israel-Hamas war. In more than 30 years of foreign correspondence journalism, I have never seen a story have such a divisive impact on a domestic audience. It was important to get the coverage right and I think we did. I was especially proud of being the only Australian journalist to confront Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his country’s justification for the civilian toll in Gaza.
“Getting caught in Hamas rocket fire became so regular we stopped reporting it, but one attack we couldn’t ignore because it happened right in the middle of a live cross. Simon again showed his extraordinary skills under pressure by re-positioning the camera to capture us running for our lives – as the Israeli iron dome defences intercepted the rockets immediately above us. It was exceptional camera work; a moment Australian journalism legend Neil Davis would have been proud of. I also want to acknowledge and praise the work and support of our extraordinary team on the ground during the war – Hugh Whitfeld, Ashlee Mullaney, David Woiwod, James Cannon, Henry Lynch, Caleb Alexis. They are an exceptional of foreign correspondence.”
On receiving recognition for his work on Bishop of Broome, Reason said: “To win the Walkley for Investigative Journalism is a pinnacle achievement in my reporting career. News journalists don’t often get the chance to chase a story for more than a couple of days. To be pursuing this one for more than four years was a rare and exceptional honour.
“I want to praise the remarkable bravery of the informants at the heart of this story. Once anonymous sources, we can now identify them as Fr John Purnell and Cherrille Quilty. Their lives were turned upside down by this story, but it would not have been possible without them. Likewise, the final informant, who saw the 200-page Papal report gathering dust at the Vatican and decided to leak it. I offer my highest praise and thanks.
“Bishop Christoper Saunders is now before the courts charged with a string of offences, so I will not comment further on the case. But I do want to put on record my thanks to the Seven Network for standing by this long and complex case. Investigative journalism takes time and money, and Seven’s commitment never waivered.”
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