DAILY Telegraph editor Paul Whittaker has won a coveted News Award for the newspaper's campaign to protect the freedom of the press.

media_camera Part of our freedom of the press campaign.

The gong was one of several picked up by The Daily and Sunday Telegraph at a ceremony in Brisbane last night attended by News Corp executive chairman Rupert Murdoch.

Mr Whittaker accepted the award with the company's group editorial director Campbell Reid and group policy and corporate affairs director Adam Suckling.

The campaign fought against former Communications Minister Stephen Conroy's proposed regulatory control of Australia's media.

News Corp Australia CEO Julian Clarke said the campaign, led by Mr Whittaker, was an "extraordinary effort".

Mr Whittaker said it was a great victory for the Telegraph which always stood up for its readers: "In the case of freedom of speech, this has also been in the interests of a liberated media."

The Daily and Sunday Telegraph also won for its No Jab, No Play campaign, which fought to allow childcare centres to refuse unvaccinated children.

The Telegraph's sports team was recognised with Josh Massoud, Rebecca Wilson and James Hooper winning Best Sports Journalists for their revelations on drugs in the NRL.