Creative NZ acknowledges broadcast arts journalism

Media release

Date: 20 May 2005

Creative New Zealand acknowledges broadcast arts journalism at Qantas Media Awards

Broadcast journalists were acknowledged in Auckland tonight for their contribution to New Zealand arts journalism at the 2005 Qantas Media Awards.

Creative New Zealand has been sponsoring the arts journalism categories of the Qantas Media Awards since 1996 as part of its arts advocacy work. Peter Biggs, Chair of Creative New Zealand, says the organisation sponsors the arts journalism categories to encourage both the quality and quantity of arts coverage in the New Zealand media.

“This is the tenth year we’ve been sponsoring the Qantas Media Awards,” Mr Biggs said. “Over the years, the standard of arts journalism has increased greatly and these awards acknowledge all those involved in producing the best arts stories in the country.

“The artistic achievements of our small country are extraordinary and Creative New Zealand is constantly working with the media to ensure that the work of New Zealand artists is recognised and reported.

“I’d like to congratulate this year’s winners and finalists. My warm thanks for providing the topical, engaging arts stories that New Zealanders want to hear and see.”

The following is a list of winners in the broadcast arts journalism categories.

RADIO:

The arts journalism award for Radio News Reporter was presented to Tarek Bazley of Radio New Zealand for his story, Gore’s great art coup. Judges described the story as a “well-told story that captures its essence”.

Bazley’s story focussed on the Southland town of Gore, Dr John Money’s donation of his art collection, and the fundraising efforts of a small community to house the collection and redevelop its Eastern Southland Gallery.

The arts journalism award for Radio Current Affairs Reporter was presented to Lynne Freeman of Radio New Zealand for her Insight story, Can culture save us?

Prior to producing the Insight piece on cultural tourism, Freeman had spent the previous three months at Oxford University writing a thesis on cultural tourism in England and Ireland. She believes cultural tourism is important to New Zealand’s developing cultural identity.

“I hoped my paper would provoke debate and discussion back home in New Zealand where we are still grappling with how best to promote our culture alongside our scenery,” Freeman said.

TELEVISION:

The arts journalism award for Television News Reporter was presented to Mike Jaspers, One News, for his story, Oscars triumph.

The judges were impressed by his hard work and said: “Wonderful coverage of a major New Zealand triumph, told through New Zealand eyes. Much hard work had obviously gone into taking the story beyond the obvious glitter of the ceremony to ensure reports that were unique and truly reflected the New Zealand angle.”

The arts journalism award for the Television Current Affairs Reporter was presented to reporter Mark Crysell and producer Jane Skinner, for their Television New Zealand Sunday story, Sharp Focus, an insight into photographer Jane Ussher.

The judges were impressed with how well the story was produced and presented. “This is a well- produced, well-presented story with good talent and a genuine insight into the photographer and her subjects.”

Barry Young, Director of the Qantas Media Awards, says Creative New Zealand’s sponsorship of the awards has been an important catalyst in developing the whole genre of reporting the arts.

“When we introduced ‘the arts’ as a category within the awards we received a few theatre reviews as entries. Now the subject is taken seriously by journalists in newspapers, magazines, on radio and television, and the stories entered in the awards reflect this.”

Creative New Zealand sponsors a range of awards, including the arts journalism categories of the Qantas Media Awards, to acknowledge the contribution that other sectors make to New Zealand arts. These awards include the Creative Places Awards, which acknowledge the work of local government, and the Creative New Zealand Award for Bravery in the National Business Review Awards for Business Sponsorship of the Arts.

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