Of 15 journalists nominated for the prestigious award, two were given "special mention" by the judges, namely Elise Tempelhoff of Beeld and Martin Welz of Noseweek.
"Other years saw clear and obvious winners," PMSA Media Freedom Committee Chairman Peter Sullivan said, "but this year most nominees would have been worthy winners."
"The Nat Nakasa award is not a competition for the best story or even the best journalist. Nominees are exceptional people, showing courage, perseverance, commitment, defying odds and authorities, so it is great that 15 were considered worthy by their peers".
"As judges we would have liked to give all a special mention, but we felt Elise and Martin were exceptional. Justin was our unanimous final choice for his extraordinary work - he satisfied every one of our criteria: commitment to serve, fearless reporting, tenacious survival despite obstacles, courage in providing information, training and mentoring new reporters."
Arenstein (32) was educated at Johannesburg's Roosevelt High, and has been a self-employed journalist since 1994. He launched AENS with his personal savings, a relative's second-hand computer and two trainee journalists in 1995 after they were sacked from the Lowveld News for insisting on equal salaries for black and white reporters.
AENS remains unaffiliated and financially independent, and now has 10 permanent editorial staff plus 30 freelancers in 12 African countries.
Elise Tempelhoff was nominated for her work in exposing Krion pyramid scheme in the Vaal Triangle for which she received death threats, and for her an exposé of Iscor's pollution in the area, done in 109 reports.
Martin Welz started Noseweek, a satirical and investigative journal, in 1993. His nomination credited the journal with exposing Reserve Bank practices in 1996, showing up Sol Kerzner and ABSA in 1998, and Old Mutual and SAA in 2001. Noseweek has exposed malpractice by attorneys and accountants. More recently it reported fearlessly on the arms deal and the showdown between Judge Willem Heath and President Mbeki.
Previous winners of the Award were: Jon Qwelane (1989); Mzilikazi wa Afrika (1999); Mathatha Tsedu and Wolfram Zwecker jointly in 2000; and in 20001 the Sunday Times Investigations Team consisting of Mzilikazi wa Afrika, André Jurgens and Jessica Bezuidenhout.
