Australian Press Council Prize 2004
Results

Winner
Honourable mentions

The Australian Press Council has announced results of its 2004 essay Prize. The Prize is awarded for the best essay submitted on a set topic.

In 2004 the topic was:

Responsible Reporting - balancing the Public Right to Know and the National Interest
The press in any modern democracy has broad freedoms to access and publish information as part of its duty to inform the public on matters of public interest. Is the people's right to know inalienable, or is it acceptable that a government restrict publication of information that might be deemed not to be in the national interest in an effort to combat terrorism, or for other reasons? Is an unrestricted press an asset in such times? Discuss with particular reference to the contemporary Australian situation.

Entries were invited from tertiary students (as at 30 June 2003), who had a 2,500 word limit

There were 20 entries in the essay prize.

Winners were selected by a panel of judges, John Morgan, former executive editor of The Herald and Weekly Times, Chris McGillion, journalism lecturer at Charles Sturt University, and Jack R Herman, Executive Secretary of the Council.

The Winner

The first prize of $2000 was awarded to to Alexandra Spring, a distance education Master of Arts student at Deakin University. Her essay is posted to the website.

Alexandra Spring is currently enrolled in the Graduate Certificate of Journalism through Deakin University, as part of a Master of Arts (Professional Communication). These ongoing distance studies, especially recent courses in ethics and media law, enrich her employment as the Beauty Editor for Vogue Australia. Her interests include current affairs, travel and, of course, beauty. She hopes to enjoy a long and exciting career in the Australian media industry.

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Honourable Mentions

The judges also awarded an Honourable Mention to Taylor Schon, a part-time Master of Journalism student at Bond University on the Gold Coast.

Fresh from performing Musical Porn in the runaway hit Debbie Does Dallas:The Musical, Taylor is a 2000 QUT Acting Graduate who is completing his Master of Journalism part-time at Bond University on the Gold Coast. He has also been distracted in life by studying Law, Film and Health Sciences. The 23-year-old has worked as a DJ, presenter, children's host and model. From an early age he has enjoyed reading quality writing. His favourite theatre credits include playing Marius in Les Miserables and Tony in A Handful of Stars. He also likes ferrets. This September he has produced Speed-The-Plow at Sydney's Intimate Tap Gallery Theatre through his Livid Light Theatre Company. He is sad he had to pass up playing a convict in SBS' The Colony to do this production. One day when he settles down Taylor would enjoy presenting work in the media industry writing and presenting. Mid-September Taylor returns to Debbie as it tours Australia.

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See also:
The APC Prize information for 2005 and the future.