The winners of the sixteenth annual Legal Journalist of the Year Awards were announced at a gala dinner in Johannesburg last night. Ruth Hopkins was named winner of the print category, while Joe Thugwana won the television category. They each received ZAR 50 000 in prize money.

The awards, which recognise outstanding work in the field of legal journalism, are the initiative of leading law firm Webber Wentzel.

Senior partner David Lancaster says, “Webber Wentzel has a long history of supporting journalism and the freedom of the press in South Africa and is very proud to support these awards."

According to Lancaster, the awards were designed to encourage improvements in the quality of legal reporting and to make legal information accessible to the public.

He says, "We think the awards highlight the importance of the work that journalists do in making available to the public clear and concise reporting about legal issues and also about issues that relate to freedom of the press and the rule of law in South Africa."

Hopkins' winning submission was for two articles which deal with the injustices faced by accused people awaiting trial in South African jails. The first article "Presumed innocent, rotting in jail" was published in the Mail &Guardian and the second, "Eight years stuck in jail" was published in the City Press.

According to the judges, both articles were of an exceptionally high standard. Highlights of their assessment include the facts that the articles describe the applicable legal rules, illustrate systematic problems of the criminal justice system, and convey the magnitude of the problem relating to the incarceration of awaiting trial prisoners in South Africa.

Ina Skosana was named runner-up in the print category. Her article "Foreign mom’s neglect turns fatal" explores the xenophobia and discrimination experienced by foreigners who attempt to access health care facilities in South Africa. It was published in the Mail & Guardian.

The judges felt that the article accurately describes the relevant policies that govern the issue and link the policy to the demands of the Constitution, which guarantees everyone (not only South African citizens) the right of access to health care services.

The judges noted that the reporting is effective, not only because it describes a systemic problem, but also because it illustrates the problem.
Thugwana's winning submissions in the television category were titled, "Guilty Until Proven Innocent" and "Homeless in Despair". They were included in "Cutting Edge" broadcast by the SABC.  The stories demonstrate the struggle faced by South Africans in enforcing their constitutional rights. The judges mentioned that because both stories were produced in isiZulu with English subtitles, they were able to reach a broader audience than what otherwise would have been the case.

Adel van Niekerk was named runner-up in the television category. Her story entitled "Homes of Horror" deals with the poor handling of child rape and abuse cases by the South African Police Service and appeared on "Special Assignment" broadcast by the SABC.

The panel of judges included Jane Duncan, professor of journalism at the University of Johannesburg; Joe Thloloe, former South African Press Ombudsman;  and Pierre de Vos, Claude Leon Foundation Chair in Constitutional Governance at the University of Cape Town.

In describing what they look for when adjudicating the awards, Duncan says, "... quality reporting, in other words, pieces that are technically competent, preferably multi-sourced and that are put together very, very well."

de Vos adds, “It is important to look at whether all aspects have been covered to make sure that there is a balanced and accurate story that is presented to the public.”

Thloloe concludes by saying, "We ask the crucial question, 'Why should I care? As a reader, as a viewer, as a listener, why is it important for me to know this information? What impact will it have on me, my community, my society?"