Sean Murphy

Sean Murphy is an award-winning journalist, television producer, and experienced master of ceremonies with a distinguished career spanning more than four decades across print, radio and television.

Sean began his journalism career in 1979 as a surfing columnist for Perth’s Sunday Independent newspaper after submitting a handwritten article to the sports editor while still a teenager. A rising surfing talent at the time, he recognised an opportunity to combine his passion for storytelling with his love of the ocean — a decision that launched a remarkable career in journalism.

Over the years, Sean has worked across some of Australia’s leading media organisations, including The West Australian, Network Ten and the ABC. He joined ABC TV’s acclaimed rural and regional program Landline in 2002 as a Sydney-based reporter, producing hundreds of stories that have taken him across Australia and around the world.

Sean’s reporting has focused on a broad range of rural and regional issues, with a particular expertise in Australia’s commercial fishing, aquaculture and agricultural industries. His work has helped bring greater awareness to industries and communities that are often under-reported, while his storytelling has highlighted the people, challenges and innovations shaping regional Australia.

His journalism has been recognised with numerous international, national and state awards. In 2013, Sean won the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists’ World Broadcast Award for his Landline report on the management of genetically modified crops in Western Australia — recognised as the best broadcast agriculture story in the world that year.

Sean’s career has included major investigations, including an early front-page scoop at The West Australian involving controversial businessman Laurie Connell and an alleged illegal reef removal at Rottnest Island. His television reporting has covered significant events around Australia and internationally, including a powerful Landline story featuring Korean War veterans returning to the Kapyong battlefield — a story made especially personal when Sean revealed at the conclusion that one of the veterans was his father, John Murphy.

Originally from Rottnest Island in Western Australia, Sean retains a strong connection to rural and regional issues in his home state. Throughout his career, he has also been a passionate advocate for recognising Indigenous place names, helping encourage broader adoption of traditional place names within broadcasting.

In addition to his journalism career, Sean is an accomplished facilitator and master of ceremonies. He has hosted events and facilitated panel discussions for leading organisations including Meat & Livestock Australia, Australian Wool Innovation and the Sydney Fish Market, bringing his extensive experience in storytelling, interviewing and audience engagement to conferences, industry forums and public events.

With a unique ability to connect people and stories, Sean Murphy continues to bring curiosity, insight and professionalism to every stage and assignment.