Canon Media Awards recognises longstanding commitment

MEDIA RELEASE

9 May 2014 – under strict embargo until 10.30pm

Canon Media Awards recognises longstanding commitment

Two of New Zealand’s longest publishing daily newspapers and a veteran newsman were given special recognition at the Canon Media Awards in Auckland on Friday evening.

The country’s largest newspaper The New Zealand Herald and South Island regional daily the Timaru Herald were honoured for each achieving 150 years in publishing. The Auckland-based Herald was first published in November 1863 while its South Canterbury counterpart launched in 1864.

Also recognised for special achievement was Fred Tulett who retired earlier this year after 15 years as editor of the Southland Times, which followed a similar period as chief reporter of The Dominion newspaper in Wellington.

Newspaper Publishers' Association editorial director Rick Neville paid tribute to Tulett, commenting that Tulett mentored scores of young journalists over the years, teaching them the fundamentals of a good story.

“While his gruff voice and flinty demeanor might not have endeared him to everyone on the staff, few would deny that his nose for news and personal drive taught them a great deal about how to get big stories.

“Fred’s very comfortable with the old adage that a journalist’s job is to comfort the afflicted – and afflict the comfortable. Many of those in power are probably thrilled to see the back of him.”

This award places Tulett in the company of previous award winners – the late Sir Paul Holmes, ex-NPA chief executive Tim Pankhurst, chairman and managing director of Allied Press - Sir Julian Smith, and founder of the New Zealand Cartoon Archive - Ian Grant.

The Outstanding Achievement Award recipients are selected by NPA with input from editorial chiefs of the main publishing companies, and are limited to two or three per year.

Ends

© Scoop Media