The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) last night announced the winners of its annual awards: 

The ACFID Media Award was presented to: 

Stephanie March, ABC 

For her reporting on the famine crisis in Somalia, including the ABC TV Foreign Correspondent story ‘Surviving in Somalia’. 

The Outsanding Contribution to the Sector Award was given to:  

Jaki Adams of the Fred Hollows Foundation 

For her long-term commitment to serving Australia’s Indigenous communities, and using her drive and passion to champion for health equity, elevating the voices of Indigenous peoples, supporting strategic eye care relationships in Australia and across the Pacific, and helping drive the agenda of the Allies for Uluru Coalition. 

We congratulate Stephanie and Jaki. 

Media Award 

The ACFID Media Award is given to a journalist who: 

• Profiles with sensitivity and respect the issues and lives of people experiencing poverty and injustice
• Shows an understanding of the complexity of humanitarian and/or development issues; and
• Is judged to have the potential to help expand the knowledge of the Australian public in relation to humanitarian and/or international development issues.

The award was judged by a panel of three: 

Dr Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, the winner of the 2022 ACFID Media Award, 

Natalie Whiting, ABC, the winner of the 2021 ACFID Media Award, and  

Anastasia Kapetas, Advisor, AP4D program.

There was a strong field of nominations. The judges chose Stephanie for showcasing a high degree of empathy and sophistication in her reporting, and in particular for imbuing her interviewees with dignity and agency. 

The Outstanding Contribution to the Sector Award 

The Outstanding Contribution to the Sector Award is presented to an individual or organisation that:  

• Has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian aid and development NGO sector over an extended period of time
• Has made a substantial and sustained contribution to the whole sector – more than only within their own agency 
• Recognises voluntarism and looks for contribution above and beyond paid employment.  

Jaki was selected based on her longstanding demonstrated commitment to Indigenous people and issues. 

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact [email protected] or call 0401721064.