Media award winners announced by Age Concern

Media award winners announced by Age Concern

Winners of the Age Concern New Zealand Patron's Award for the media were announced at a lunchtime function in Wellington today, as part of International Day of Older Persons celebrations.

Three awards were given for the best media portrayals of ageing and older people in 2009-2010.

This year's Patron's Award winner profiles lifeguard Bill Goodwin. The story, "Bill still on guard at Whiritoa" came from the Waikato Times, writer Nicola Brennan, photo by Donna Walsh.

Second prize went to "Never too old" from Sunday magazine, writer Gary Steel, with photos by Quinn O'Connell.

A New Zealand Women's Weekly story on karate black belt Rosemary Braithwaite took third place.

The winning entries were selected by popular vote from a pool of five finalists.

"Our Patron's Award encourages media depictions of older people that challenge negative attitudes," Age Concern's Patron, Judge Ken Mason, told the award audience.

"Lack of respect for older people in our society shows through in negative media images which, in turn, reinforce them.

"This lack adds to many of the hurts older people receive and sometimes can even be the cause of them.

In his speech, Judge Ken Mason issued a challenge to the media," to get the truth about ageing out there: that older people are vital and diverse, they make a contribution, they have rights, and they deserve respect."

ENDS

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