Press release from TV Week
With the 2011 Logie Awards three weeks away, TV WEEK would like to address the new voting processes implemented this year.
The exclusively online voting system introduced this year limited votes to one per person and subjected each entry to expert,independent scrutiny and verification.
In past years, TV industry experts, media commentators and the general public have criticised the TV WEEK Logie Awards due to the limiting nature of its voting process (nomination forms were available in the TV WEEK magazine and on the magazine’swebsite). It was therefore primarily TV WEEK readers who voted, which explained why the ‘most popular’ categories were often dominated by shows such as Home & Away and Neighbours.
In recognition of such feedback, and for the first time this year, the Australian public was able to vote via an online form developed by Roy Morgan Research in conjunction with TV WEEK. This form was accessible via the TV WEEK website but hosted by Roy Morgan, to add to the security and integrity of the entries.
The results were scrutinised by Ernst & Young, which oversaw the set up, compilation and voting process in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. The process ensured a one vote per person result.
It is also important to remember that the time-honoured Most Outstanding Awards continue to reflect the peer vote. This year these highly valued peer-nominated categories were judged by a mix of independent judges. To remove any potential industry bias, this year TV WEEK approached completely independent industry experts to adjudicate panels in which they have relevant expertise. The 12 Most Outstanding Awards were adjudicated by seven panels consisting of at least five judges who represented the top of their fields.
For the peer-nominated Most Outstanding Awards, Roy Morgan Research hosted the voting forum and, again, the entire process was overseen by Ernst & Young.
“While we know criticising the Logies is a favourite media pastime, I think it’s important to note we’ve recognised historical faults in the system and gone to considerable lengths over the last few years, and this year in particular, to address them,” said Peter Holder, ACP Magazines Publisher, TV WEEK.
“The voting system this year proved that a determined campaign by talent, as well as broadening the voting process for all TVloving Australians, has given the TV WEEK Logie Awards a fairer field of competitors in all categories.”
Holder continued: “At TV WEEK, we make no comment about who should or shouldn’t have made the list of Gold Logies nominees. The general public cast their votes and we respect that. We wish each and every nominee – across all categories – the best for what should be another spectacular TV WEEK Logie Awards on May 1.”