In a shocking twist that has left the media world buzzing, a groundbreaking investigation that led to the arrest of one of Australia’s most powerful media figures was notably absent from the list of nominees at the prestigious Walkley Awards this week. The explosive report, published by The Sydney Morning Herald‘s ace investigative journalist Kate McClymont, detailed disturbing allegations against radio titan Alan Jones – revelations that eventually prompted a police probe and Jones’s arrest.
The story, which took years to put together, sent tremors through media circles when it broke last December. Police have confirmed that McClymont’s tenacious reporting was the catalyst for their investigation. “The reports in The Herald and The Age did result in [alleged] victims coming forward and the creation of Strike Force Bonnefin,” said Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald, acknowledging the profound impact of McClymont’s work.
Yet when the cream of Australia’s media crop gathered on Tuesday night for the 69th Walkley Awards, McClymont’s absence from the nominee list was conspicuous. The journalist, who just last year was honored with the Walkley for Outstanding Contribution to Journalism, had entered her Alan Jones exposé in multiple categories. It didn’t make the shortlist in any of them.
Unanswered Questions Swirl
The snub has left many in the industry scratching their heads. Given the national significance of the story and its real-world consequences, its omission from the Walkleys has raised eyebrows – and questions.
The Walkley Foundation, which oversees the judging process, was tight-lipped about the decision. In a statement, they confirmed that McClymont’s investigation had been considered by two separate judging panels, but “in neither case was Kate’s story named one of the three finalists.” The Foundation declined to comment further on the judging process.
A Glaring Omission?
For many of McClymont’s peers, the oversight is glaring. “It’s baffling,” said one senior journalist who requested anonymity. “This was one of the biggest stories of the year, with huge ramifications. To see it go unrecognized feels like a real injustice.”
Others pointed to the courage and tenacity required to take on a figure as powerful as Jones. “Kate’s reporting didn’t just break a story, it broke a code of silence,” another colleague noted. “She faced down immense pressure and legal threats to bring this to light. That’s the kind of fearless journalism the Walkleys are meant to celebrate.”
A Larger Pattern?
Some have even suggested the snub fits into a larger pattern of women’s investigative work being overlooked. “You have to wonder if a male journalist who’d landed a scalp this big would have been passed over,” mused one industry veteran. “There’s still a boys’ club mentality in some parts of the media. It’s disappointing to see it rear its head at an event like the Walkleys.”
The controversy has sparked a wider conversation about how Australian media recognizes and rewards its own. In an industry built on holding the powerful to account, some are now asking: Who watches the watchdogs?
As the dust settles on the 69th Walkley Awards, one thing is clear: Kate McClymont’s investigation into Alan Jones, and its startling absence from the winner’s podium, will be the story that lingers – a potent reminder of the power, the pitfalls, and the politics of Australian journalism’s night of nights. The media may shine the spotlight, but sometimes, it’s what’s left in the shadows that speaks loudest of all.
