Yoni Bashan, a journalist from The Australian, has been named the 2024 Sir Keith Murdoch Journalist of the Year at News Corp Australia's 20th News Awards celebration dinner. The award was announced by News Corp Chair Lachlan Murdoch, recognising Bashan's outstanding coverage of the October 7 attack on Israel.

Bashan was the first Australian journalist to visit Gaza following the attacks, demonstrating a commitment to on-the-ground reporting in the face of danger. The Sir Keith Murdoch Journalist of the Year award is named in honour of Sir Keith, the founder of News and the late grandfather of Lachlan Murdoch and father of News Corp Chairman Emeritus Rupert Murdoch. The award recognises the year’s most outstanding journalist whose work demonstrates commitment to quality journalism, the pursuit of truth, journalistic leadership, courage, and tenacity.

Lachlan Murdoch said of Bashan's achievement, “As the horrific October 7 attacks happened, Yoni was on the phone to The Australian’s Editor-In-Chief Michelle Gunn wanting to go to Israel. By October 10, he was on the ground. He was the first Australian journalist to visit Gaza after the attacks,”. He went on to commend Bashan's courage and commitment to truth, stating, “He did not shy from danger - he ran toward it. He bore witness to trauma while reporting the conflict in the Middle East believing that the truth could only be uncovered by reporters on the ground, reporters who were courageous, impartial, and fearless.”

This is not the first time Bashan has been recognised by News Corp Australia. He previously won the Young Journalist of the Year award in 2009 and undertook a 12-month secondment at The Wall Street Journal in New York. His latest accolade further cements his reputation as a journalist committed to delivering high-quality, on-the-ground reporting, even in the face of danger.