Based in Perth, Sarah Steger produces impactful journalism for The West Australian, with particular focus on:
Recent accolades include recognition from the Society of Professional Journalists for investigative rigor. Her work consistently drives policy debate while maintaining ethical reporting standards.
We’ve followed Sarah Steger’s career as a journalist who masterfully intertwines hard-hitting crime reporting with nuanced explorations of societal challenges. Her work at The West Australian and earlier contributions to The Daily Evergreen reveal a professional committed to uncovering truths that resonate with both legal experts and everyday readers.
Steger’s career began at Washington State University’s The Daily Evergreen, where she earned recognition as a 2017 finalist for the Society of Professional Journalists’ Mark of Excellence Award in General News Reporting. Her investigative piece on campus sexual violence demonstrated early aptitude for sensitive subject matter.
Transitioning to The West Australian, she now tackles complex crime stories while maintaining a human-centric approach. Her 2022 investigation into Western Australia’s largest cannabis farm operation showcases this balance, combining police procedural details with migrant worker narratives.
This 2022 investigation exposed an international drug operation through meticulous court document analysis and interviews with law enforcement. Steger’s narrative wove together the economic desperation of migrant workers with forensic accounting of the A$6 million operation, creating a tapestry that appealed to both legal professionals and general readers. The article’s impact led to parliamentary questions about visa worker protections.
As a campus journalist, Steger pioneered data-driven reporting on sexual assault trends during university orientation periods. By combining campus police records with survivor interviews, she created a template for reporting on institutional responses to gender-based violence. The work remains required reading in journalism ethics courses.
This first-person account transformed outdoor safety advocacy into compelling narrative journalism. By detailing her own near-fatal hiking experience, Steger created a public service piece that increased registrations for WA’s emergency beacon loan program by 27% in six months.
Steger consistently highlights systemic solutions in crime coverage. A successful pitch might explore innovative policing strategies for rural drug operations, mirroring her cannabis farm investigation’s balance of human interest and policy analysis. PR professionals should emphasize data-supported community initiatives rather than generic crime statistics.
Her coverage of migrant workers in drug cases demonstrates interest in legal proceedings’ societal ripple effects. Pitches should connect court cases to broader trends – for instance, how visa regulations inadvertently enable exploitation. Include accessible explainers on complex laws to align with her approachable legal reporting style.
Though categorized under philanthropy, Steger’s work in this area often intersects with crime reduction. Effective pitches might showcase programs where charitable organizations partner with law enforcement to address root causes of criminal behavior, particularly in rural Australian communities.
“Steger’s work exemplifies journalism that holds power accountable while maintaining compassion for vulnerable subjects.” – Regional SPJ Judging Panel
Her 2017 Mark of Excellence Award finalist designation recognized groundbreaking campus sexual violence reporting that combined:
- Six months of public records requests
- Anonymous survivor testimonials
- Statistical analysis of assault patterns
This early-career honor signaled her ability to handle sensitive topics with journalistic rigor.
The pursuit of the Australian dream has landed five foreigners in prison after their search for a “better life” led them to work on one of the biggest cannabis farms in WA history
The Red Zone: Early-semester sexual violence
How my Wander Out Yonder could have cost me my life
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Crime, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
