Katri Uibu wins Tasmanian Journalist of the Year
Tobias Hinds reports from MEAA’s 2023 Tasmanian Media Awards.
By Tobias Hinds, from the Media School at the University of Tasmania
ABC reporter Katri Uibu has won Journalist of the Year at the 2023 Tasmanian Media Awards.
Katri’s investigative report on the abuse of children within the Australian child protection system exposed how it is failing to protect the children that are being placed in its care.
As part of her investigation, Katri spoke with hundreds of people, many of whom work within the system.
Click on the links below to read her articles:
- Bad Parent
- Child protection failed to act after alleged abuser found living in caravan on same property with kids, mother says
- Mother’s anger as child protection takes years to remove child from property with alleged abuser
- All care, no responsibility
‘They are very brave people’
“Thank you to everyone who came forward as part of this investigation; there were hundreds of people, including those who work in the system and have the courage to speak out,” Katri said in her acceptance speech last Friday night.
Katri’s report details the horrific experiences children within the system have gone through, with firsthand accounts being given from people who grew up in foster and care homes.
“My thank you goes to the young people who have lived through the system, and have shared their often traumatic stories of abuse, in a hope that in doing so others will feel as though they are not alone,” Katri said.
“They are very brave people, and they did so in the hopes that their stories will make a change.”
The 2023 Tasmanian Media Awards judges described Katri’s work as “investigative journalism at its best”.
“Her work is of huge public interest and benefit, already resulting in one parent being reunited with their child and Federal Attorney General Mark Dreyfuss promising to address these horrific problems,” said the judges.
Katri said she felt honoured to be recognised by others in the industry.
“And for the people I interviewed for this story, it will be a nice recognition for them as well,” Katri said.
“It would mean more to the victims if there is actual change within the system,” she added.
“Even today there are people living in foster or residential care homes being abused, and I don’t think that enough is being done to address this issue.”
Katri was among 13 category winners named at a special cocktail event at Waterside Pavilion in Hobart on Friday, May 26.
Click HERE for the full list of winners, including judges comments and event photos.
