2026 Lowy Institute Media Award finalists and keynote speaker announced

The Lowy Institute is pleased to announce four finalists for the 2026 Lowy Institute Media Award. The award recognises excellence in coverage of international affairs by Australian journalists and media outlets.

The finalists are:

• Stephen Dziedzic for his reporting for ABC News on Australian foreign affairs, including several stories about Canberra’s diplomatic dealmaking with Pacific Island countries.
  
• Amanda Hodge for her reporting in The Australian on the impact of Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, her coverage of the drug trade across the Pacific Islands, and her reporting on the HIV epidemic in Fiji.
  
• Stephanie March, Lice Movono, Marian Kupu, Chrisnrita Aumanu-Leong and Kyle Taylor for their two-part investigation for ABC’s Foreign Correspondent that exposed cartel infiltration of Pacific governments and institutions.
  
• Jonathan Swan for his reporting in The New York Times, which used key White House sources to reconstruct the behind-closed-doors manoeuvring of President Trump’s second administration.

On this year’s judging panel, Lowy Institute Executive Director Dr Michael Fullilove AM was joined by The Australian journalist Cameron Stewart, ABC journalist Isabella Higgins, The New York Times correspondent Victoria Kim, and Lowy Institute Board member Mark Ryan.

The Institute is also pleased to announce that Dennis Richardson AC will deliver the 2026 Lowy Institute Media Lecture. Mr Richardson is one of Australia’s most respected public officials, having served as Director-General of ASIO, and as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and of the Department of Defence, during a career spanning almost six decades.

“This year’s finalists demonstrate the vital role Australian journalism plays in illuminating the world around us,”Dr Fullilove said. “From the Pacific Islands to the White House, these journalists have shown skill in pursuing stories that matter. Their work reminds us why quality international reporting is more important than ever.”

The Lowy Institute Media Award has been presented every year since 2013.

The winner of the 2026 Lowy Institute Media Award will be announced on Tuesday 15 September. The winner receives a prize of AU$20,000 and a distinctive trophy by Dinosaur Designs.

MEDIA CONTACT
Andrew Griffits
Head of Media and Communications
+61 2 8238 9035
media@lowyinstitute.org