Date Released: Wed, 14 November 2012 14:13 +0200

Now in their 14th year of awarding outstanding work in the field of legal journalism, the awards were presented by Yusuf Abramjee, who is group head of news and current affairs at Primedia Broadcasting.

The winner in the print category was Ruth Hopkins of the Wits Justice Project.

Her winning entries were Sisters probe TB scourge in prison (Mail & Guardian), SA prisons: hotbed for spread of TB inside and outside, Who is watching the lawyers? (Saturday Star) and Incarcerated since 2007 (The Star).

Press Ombudsman and competition judge, Dr Joe Thloloe said: “Hopkins showed her relentless pursuit of answers and the ability to tell a story well, always remembering that it is people who make stories”.

First runner up was Carolyn Raphaely. She was last year’s Webber Wentzel Legal Journalist of the Year and is also of the Wits Justice Project. Her articles appeared in The Star, The Saturday Star and Star Africa.

Second runner up was Niren Tolsi from the Mail & Guardian.

In the TV category the winners were Odette Schwegler and Nicola De Chaud from Carte Blanche with No justice for children.

Dr. Thloloe said: “The story is well told and shows a chain of failures at every point of the system in ways that justify one in calling the system a criminal injustice system”.

First runner up was Moloi from 3rd degree and second runner-up was Joy Summers and Susan Comrie from Carte Blanche.

There was no award for radio this year.

Founded in 1999, the awards acknowledge the role played by journalists in promoting knowledge of the judiciary and understanding of the country’s civil and criminal justice systems. JMS Media Law & Ethics lecturer, Strato Copteros, who was present at the awards ceremony said, “Our collaboration with the Webber Wentzel media law team headed by Dr. Dario Milo has ignited huge interest in Media Law & Ethics as a subject at Rhodes. Nothing can replicate in-depth insights by professionals in the education process; and my students have loved Webber Wentzel’s involvement in the teaching. Hopefully masny will go on to win the Webber Wentzel Legal Journalist Award in future”