South Western Times first masthead to feature in new Judith Nelson Institute Inside the Newsroom series

The South Western Times has been selected as the first masthead to feature in a new national series profiling newsrooms across Australia.

The Times appeared in the inaugural article for the Judith Neilson Institute’s Inside the Newsroom, a series of articles highlighting the impact of journalism in the country and the history of a range of media organisations.

The piece showcased some exclusive and premium stories published by this newspaper, including an in-depth look at the low vaccination rates among Aboriginal people in the South West; sordid scavenger hunts being held by school leavers in Bunbury; and the repercussions closing several bank branches was having on the region.

It also shared the history of the Times and its newsroom and looked at key industries and economies it reported on.

South West editor Jakeb Waddell, who was interviewed as part of the Judith Neilson article, said it was an honour the South Western Times was the first masthead selected.

“The Times is the region’s leading news source, and its commitment to quality journalism and coverage of breaking events and crucial information is unrivalled,” he said.

“It is a privilege to be the first newsroom selected in the new Judith Neilson series and I am proud to see the incredible work of the South West team be showcased to its national and international audience.”

The JNI works to support and celebrate quality journalism and storytelling around the world.

Waddell, pictured, told the JNI in the article SWT had proudly disregarded a widely held view among regional communities that crime and deeper issues should be swept under the rug to ensure the areas were not painted in a negative light.

He said this newspaper had instead drawn attention to these issues as the only way to hold people to account, often using loud and proud front pages to do so.

“In the past year, my goal has been to ensure our newspaper remained relevant in our regional communities,” he said in the article.

“There has been an increased focus on our courts and crime in the region, a deep look at decisions made by local councils and constant scrutiny of our political leaders and how their decisions impact the area.

“This has been well balanced with coverage of the incredible achievements of people in our area, such as one of the biggest AFL draft crops in more than a decade, impressive academic results from our Year 12 students and a series of the young Aboriginal leaders making a difference in the South.”

The full interview is available on the JNI website.