Channel 7 wins four Kennedy Awards for journalism excellence

Channel 7’s 7NEWS and 7NEWS Spotlight have been awarded four Kennedy Awards for Excellence in Journalism at the 2026 ceremony in Sydney.

Individual honors included Cassie Zervos winning Scoop of the Year for her reporting on the death of Dezi Freeman. 7NEWS Spotlight received the award for Outstanding Television Current Affairs Reporting – Long Form for ‘Face to Face with My Children’s Killer’. Nicholas Castellaro won Outstanding News Camera Coverage for his footage of the Bondi terror attack, and the investigative series ‘Kiss & Kill’ won for Outstanding Reporting on Human Rights, Social or Religious Affairs.

Additionally, Ava Cashmore was named Student Journalist of the Year, and Sarah Stinson received the Cliff Neville Award for Outstanding Team Player or Mentor. Ray Kuka, Seven’s Director of News and Current Affairs, stated the awards reflect the quality and breadth of the network’s journalism.