Spotlight on: Isabella Higgins
“I’m proud of the incredible people, mostly women, who had their voices heard because of these stories,” says the 2019 Young Journo winner for Shortform Journalism.
Winner of the Shortform Journalism category at the 2019 Walkley Young Australian Journalist of the Year Awards.
Isabella Higgins, ABC News 7pm bulletin, ABC TV and ABC Online, “Life in the grips of a suicide crisis” “Strength in the suicide community” and “The fight of our lives”
ABC News’ national Indigenous affairs correspondent, Isabella Higgins, took out the Shortform Journalism category at the Walkley Young Australian Journalist of the Year Awards with a body of work that showed the strength and stresses of the communities she covers.
The judges said: “Isabella is the unanimous choice for Young Journalist of the Year, Shortform. The gripping series of work features powerful interviews, clearly secured with determination and conducted with compassion. Her deep understanding of the issues covered, strong storytelling skill and exceptional presentation are all evident in the entry.”
Isabella answered our questions about how her stories can about, why she became a journalist, and fighting for your stories.
How did you find your winning stories?
Working as an Indigenous Affairs reporter it really has been impossible to ignore the profound issue of Indigenous suicides in recent years. I built relationships with a number of organisations and families, who were grappling with this problem. I wanted to produce stories that moved away from just startling statistics and death counts but captured the sorrow, strength and solutions in the community. So many Australians were struggling and few were having their voices heard.
Most of my stories come from close relationships with contacts, that’s how the story about the remote housing stoush also came about.
What did it take to get these stories up?
The biggest challenge in reporting on this issue was finding, and then earning the trust of families who were still in mourning. In many cases this meant sensitively navigating cultural mourning protocols, as well as overcoming a historical distrust of the media. Many relationships were built over weeks and months — which is tough in a deadline-driven news environment.
Reporting in remote communities always presents challenges, technical and communication issues, and cultural barriers. I believe respect is the most vital thing you can take into a community. Put your own preconceived notions of the story to the side, and let the people and place inform you.
What impact did the stories have?
After the stories went to air, many of the people who were part of my story were invited to meet with government ministers and stakeholders. They got to help inform the national response to the Indigenous suicides crisis. Some of the talent who were driving solutions and programs in their communities were inundated with requests for help.
The most tangible outcome from a story was the NT Government dropping its legal challenge against residents in a remote community. They’d been in a legal stalemate for years, but after an overwhelming response to our story it was settled, and families were compensated.
What made you want to be a journalist?
I think I was drawn to the idea of telling stories, witnessing history and the constant mix of logical and creative thinking.
There were a few moments that sparked my interest in the industry. The most memorable was the 2011 floods in Brisbane. Our house went under and we were stranded for days. A radio reporter turned up at our gate after the flood water subsided. I think I had a moment of marvel that it was someone’s job to retell these stories to the nation. I added journalism onto my university course not long after that.
What are you most proud of about the stories you’ve told?
I’m proud of the incredible people, mostly women, who had their voices heard because of these stories. They are people who are rarely given a microphone, and don’t often get to be part of the national conversations — sadly even on issues that deeply affect them.
I knew how scared and nervous many of my talent were, but overcame it because of their deep desire to see change in their communities. Knowing their stories and experiences were heard by policy makers and those in power is what motivated me to do these stories in the first place. Ultimately it was their strength that made these stories powerful.
What’s your message to Australians about why quality journalism needs their support?
In some corners of our country the gravest inequities are playing out. Without a free and fair press some of those issues will never be heard.
Good journalism is for every Australian, it needs your support to continue to exist.
What’s the best thing about receiving this award?
It can be a really hard slog working in Indigenous Affairs, especially as an Indigenous person myself. It’s a job that’s linked to your identity, and all the failures can feel magnified by the fact you feel like you’ve let your people down.
Often it can take a lot of convincing that certain stories are worthwhile — you’re fighting a perception that there isn’t broad interest or appeal in the stories you’re pitching. A big challenge was getting these stories to air, and finding a worthy platform for such serious issues.
To be recognised for stories that I had to fight so hard for was hugely validating and uplifting, not just for myself but for all the incredible people who opened up their hearts and homes to me. Hopefully a few more people read the stories as a result!
Isabella Higgins started her career in the ABC’s digital newsroom, and has since worked in their Brisbane, Rockhampton and Sydney newsrooms, as well as stints in their Parliament House bureau. Working across TV, radio and online she’s covered many topics from cane toads to constitutional debates. She grew up in Queensland, as part of a proud Torres Strait Islander family. She has covered Indigenous Affairs for the ABC for the last two years. She is currently their National Indigenous Affairs Correspondent.
Follow Isabella on Twitter: @isabellahiggins
The Walkley Young Australian Journalist of the Year Award category All media: Shortform Journalism is supported by ABC.
