RMIT student Thomas Monaghan has won the 2022 MPC Student Journalist of the Year Award for 'The rise of the creator'.

Judges' citation

Thomas has produced a fresh, highly original news feature looking into the lives of gay males in the adult entertainment world.

The piece is underpinned by strong research and storytelling, free of judgement, putting those interviewed front-and-centre of the narrative, and exploring why some young male Australian sex workers have decided to freelance as online content creators – walking away from studios and distributors.

2022 Highly Commended

Grace Baldwin, Monash University, 'Why Smith was almost relieved by video leak'

Other Finalists

Angus Delaney, Swinburne University of Technology

Caroline Hartnett, University of Melbourne

Student Journalist of the Year Honour Roll

The MPC Student Journalist of the Year recognises the best in Victorian student journalism.

Enrolled student journalists are encouraged to enter a piece of journalism in any media that has been made available to the general public in Victoria. Judges focus on the originality, impact, quality and initiative of the work in determining he shortlist and winner.

The prize, provided by the Melbourne Press Club, is $1,000 and flights, accommodation, and a ticket to the 2023 IRE conference in Orlando, Florida.