Adelaide – the city where News began – was back in the spotlight at the weekend when the Advertiser’s editor and chief court reporter were honoured with the 2025 Sir Keith Murdoch Journalist of the Year award.

Years before, then managing director of the Herald & Weekly Times Sir Keith had bought a stake in News Limited, the company that published the Adelaide News, and which his son used as a foundation for the global powerhouse that is News Corp today. Having gained control of its competitor, Murdoch closed the Adelaide paper in 1992.

On Friday night, his grandson Lachlan Murdoch, who is News Corp’s chairman, was at Sydney’s Neilson performing arts theatre in Dawes Point to present News Corp Australia’s 21st News Awards.

The Advertiser’s editor Gemma Jones and chief court reporter Sean Fewster shared the Journalist of the Year award, with Murdoch declaring they remained “guided by the one thing that will, as human beings, set us free: the truth.

“To find that truth, our reporters demonstrate determination, perseverance and courage. It isn’t always easy. But it does always matter.”

Jones and Fewster were recognised for On The Nose – The David Speirs Video Exclusive, a months-long investigation into the former South Australian Opposition Leader.

Their work also won ‘scoop of the year’ at the News Awards, while The Advertiser was crowned ‘brand of the year’.

Pictured, from left: Fewster and Jones with Lachlan Murdoch