Ukraine War Zone – first AIB event of 2024

21 December 2023

Ukraine War Zone – first AIB event of 2024

The AIB is pleased to be staging an important event in January that will look at the human cost of the war in Ukraine, focusing on internally displaced persons, refugees and the tens of thousands of people who have suffered catastrophic injuries resulting in the amputation of limbs.

Renowned filmmaker, photographer and poet Chip Duncan of Duncan Entertainment will be in conversation with Salim Amin on Thursday 11 January, at the Rose Shure Experience Centre in London thanks to the generous support of AIB member Shure UK.

Places are limited – if you are interested in attending what promises to be a fascinating and emotional event, register for a place at https://forms.gle/a25zva7rtaAxA2jo8

Winners of the AIBs 2023 revealed

12 November 2023

Winners of the AIBs 2023 revealed

Clive Myrie and Nicky Woolf acclaimed presenters of the year

20 winners of 19th annual international AIBs celebrating journalism and factual productions revealed in London

The winners of the 19^th annual AIBs have been revealed at a glittering awards dinner in London. The AIBs reward the best international journalism and factual productions across TV, radio, and digital platforms. Over 400 hours of content were submitted to the 2023 competition and 50 judges around the world evaluated the shortlist.

Guests from countries as diverse as South Korea, Norway, Canada, Germany, South Africa, the UAE, Taiwan, France, and the UK joined the celebration at Church House Westminster, right alongside Westminster Abbey. The evening’s host was veteran journalist and news anchor Simon McCoy.

Opening the evening, AIB chief executive Simon Spanswick said: “this competition is needed more than ever, as we face a world in increasing chaos and danger. In many areas, that chaos and danger threaten media freedom and the ability of journalists to hold power to account.

“That’s why journalists and producers need to shout about their work and remind everyone about the importance of journalism and the need to bring stories to global audiences.”

Guests at the awards night saw and heard clips from all the shortlisted entries. Many said that the range of journalism was so wide and absorbing that they want to watch and listen to all the programmes in full.

Collecting the award for the Specialist Factual TV/Video category was Sir Michael Palin, who was rewarded for his programme Michael Palin: Into Iraq.

Commenting on the AIBs awards night, Sir Michael said: “I’m interested in news, and I’m interested in how people report on different places. What struck me tonight is the very difficult areas which these people have gone into, to reveal what’s really going on.”

Across the 20 categories there were commendations from the judges, and an overall winner.

See the Winners’ and Finalist Book here.

NEWS COVERAGE

TV/VIDEO

Winner – The War in Ukraine – BBC News

Highly commended – Afghanistan after the Taliban – BBC News

NEWS COVERAGE

RADIO/AUDIO/PODCAST

Winner – Partygate: The Inside Story – ITV News

Highly commended – The Death and Funeral of HM The Queen – BBC News Content for BBC News

SHORT FEATURE

TV/VIDEO

Winner – Hell on Earth: Darién Gap – The Deadly Migrant Route – ITN Productions for Channel 4 (Channel 4 News)

Highly commended – We CRASHED a BMW S1000 RR Superbike while filming with LEGEND Troy Corser – Deutsche Welle – DW

Highly commended – Eco-Warriors of Africa – VOA

HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARY

TV/VIDEO

Winner – Eternal Spring (長春) – Lofty Sky Entertainment

Highly commended – Murder in the Pacific – An Oxford Scientific Films production for BBC

SPORTS JOURNALISM

TV/VIDEO

Winner – Fault Lines: Blood Sport – Al Jazeera English

SPECIALIST FACTUAL

TV/VIDEO

Winner – Michael Palin: Into Iraq – ITN Productions for Channel 5

Highly commended – The East End Through Time with Jay Blades – Hungry Jay Media for Channel 5

Highly commended – Spike Milligan: The Unseen Archive – Yeti Television

SPECIALIST FACTUAL

RADIO/AUDIO/PODCAST

Winner – Shock and War: Iraq 20 Years On – BBC Long Form Audio

Highly commended – Finding Samantha – RTÉ

Highly commended – First Eat with Nakkiah Lui – Pipi Films for Audible Australia

INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTARY

TV/VIDEO

Winner – The Monkey Haters – BBC Eye / BBC World Service

Highly commended – Wayne Couzens: Killer in Plain Sight – Flicker Productions for Channel 5

INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTARY

RADIO/AUDIO/PODCAST

Winner – The Shamima Begum Story – BBC News Long Form Audio

Highly commended – The Sound: Mystery of Havana Syndrome – Project Brazen / Goat Rodeo

HUMAN INTEREST

RADIO/AUDIO/PODCAST

Winner – Love, Janessa – BBC World Service and CBC Podcasts by Antica Productions and Telltale Industries

Highly Commended – This Coal Life – Radio Workshop NPC

HUMAN INTEREST

TV/VIDEO

Winner – Lyra – Erica Starling Productions for Channel 4

Highly Commended – Murder in Mayfair – BBC Arabic, BBC Current Affairs

Highly Commended – Nazanin – 649 Media for Channel 4

SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY

TV/VIDEO

Winner – Under Poisoned Skies – BBC News Arabic

Highly Commended – TechXplore Japan – Electric Eel Studios for BBC World Service

Highly commended – We Can Do Hard Things – Very! for CNA, Mediacorp Pte Ltd

NATURAL HISTORY

TV/VIDEO

Winner – Ningaloo Nyinggulu – Artemis Media in Association with Matter of Factual for ABC and Love Nature

Highly Commended – 101 East: Mining the Pacific – Al Jazeera English

Highly Commended – Australia’s Wild Odyssey – Wild Pacific Media for Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Arte France

POLITICS and BUSINESS

TV/VIDEO

Winner – India: The Modi Question – BBC Current Affairs

Highly commended – The Labour Files – Al Jazeera I-Unit

Highly commended – Sudan and the Long reach of Russia’s Ukraine War – CNN Worldwide

DOCUDRAMA

RADIO/AUDIO/PODCAST

Winner – Before-After: Anna Lindh 2003 – Swedish Radio Drama

DOCUDRAMA

TV/VIDEO

Winner – The Confession – ITN Productions for Amazon Prime Video

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

DOCUMENTARY

TV/VIDEO

Winner – Panorama: Mariupol – The People’s Story – Top Hat Productions/Hayloft Productions

Highly Commended – Our World – I Call Him by His Name – International Current Affairs, BBC

Highly Commended – The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper – The Trek: A Migrant Trail to America – CNN Worldwide

DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
DOCUMENTARY

TV/VIDEO

Winner – Saudi Arabia Wields Cinema as a Tool of Soft Power – France 24 and Nicolas Bertrand

Highly Commended – Kenya – Fighting for Water | Off The Grid – TRT WORLD

PRESENTER of the YEAR

RADIO/AUDIO/PODCAST

Winner – Nicky Wool

PRESENTER of the YEAR

TV/VIDEO

Winner – Clive Myrie

The 2024 AIBs – the 20^th that the Association for International Broadcasting will stage – are set to open for entry in April, with the awards event in London, shortly after the US Presidential Elections.

Simon McCoy to host the AIBs 2023

24 October 2023

Simon McCoy to host the AIBs 2023

Renowned journalist and news anchor will lead the 19^th global celebration of journalism and factual productions

The AIBs, the prestigious awards that honour the best in journalism and factual productions, are thrilled to announce that veteran journalist and news anchor Simon McCoy will be hosting the AIBs 2023. The annual awards ceremony has been celebrating outstanding global journalism and factual content since its inception in 2005.

Simon McCoy, a respected figure in the world of broadcast journalism, brings his wealth of experience and charisma to the helm of this year’s AIBs. With a career in journalism spanning 40 years, He is one of the most recognisable faces in British television news.

Simon started in television at ITV in London before moving to TV-am. He was part of the launch team of Sky News in 1989 before spending 15 years at the station, firstly as Royal Correspondent and then as one of their main presenters. His move to the BBC meant working on BBC1’s ‘Breakfast’ and the BBC News Channel. He was a regular presenter of BBC1’s weekend bulletins before becoming the main presenter of the BBC News at One. In 2021 Simon McCoy left the BBC to join GB News.

As well as breaking news, Simon is also noted for making news, often going viral for his sometimes dead-pan delivery – whether outside a hospital waiting for a Royal Baby or trying to hide his indifference to less important news stories in the studio.

Simon now works as a production consultant – most recently for Washington-based Feature Story News as part of their training project at Doordarshan News Channel in Delhi.

The AIBs gala evening, a must-attend event for the journalism and factual production community, will take place on November 10, 2023. The venue for this year’s ceremony is the historic Church House Westminster, located just steps away from Westminster Abbey and the iconic Houses of Parliament, providing an awe-inspiring backdrop for the celebration of excellence in the industry.

Each year, the AIBs recognise exceptional contributions to journalism, documentary, and factual content, with categories spanning various forms of media, including television, radio, digital, and podcasting. The awards bring together professionals from all over the world, fostering a sense of global unity and collaboration in the pursuit of truth and quality storytelling.

Simon Spanswick, the chief executive of the Association for International Broadcasting which runs the AIBs, said: “The AIBs are a testament to the dedication and innovation within the world of journalism and factual productions. We are delighted to have Simon McCoy as our host for the AIBs 2023, and we are confident that his presence will add an extra layer of distinction to an already remarkable evening.”

With a rich history of recognising the best in journalism and factual productions, the AIBs 2023 are set to be an unforgettable occasion, and the hosting talents of Simon McCoy will undoubtedly contribute to the success of the event.

For more information about the AIBs 2023 and to purchase tickets, please visit http://theaibs.tv.

Feature Story News joins Association for International Broadcasting

17 October 2023

Feature Story News joins Association for International Broadcasting

Global news and connectivity provider becomes latest AIB member company

The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) is pleased to announce that Feature Story News (FSN), a global leader in providing high-quality news coverage and connectivity services to broadcasters and media outlets, is joining the organisation.

The AIB is the leading trade association for international broadcasters, content providers, and technology companies. It plays an important role in promoting the highest standards in international broadcasting, journalism, and content production, as well as sharing knowledge and expertise on key issues ranging from artificial intelligence to media freedom.

Through its membership in the AIB, Feature Story News will gain access to a wealth of resources, networking opportunities, and industry insights. This partnership will enhance FSN’s ability to deliver even more comprehensive and in-depth news coverage to its clients worldwide.

Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive of the Association for International Broadcasting, expressed his enthusiasm for Feature Story News becoming a member: “We are thrilled to welcome Feature Story News to the AIB community. FSN’s commitment to delivering timely, accurate, and engaging news stories aligns perfectly with the AIB’s mission to promote excellence in international journalism. Through their membership, FSN will have the opportunity to collaborate with other leading media organisations, access valuable industry insights, and contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding the future of international broadcasting.”

He further highlighted the benefits that Feature Story News will enjoy as an AIB member: “As a member of the AIB, Feature Story News will gain valuable insight to the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices through the AIB’s Working Groups. They will have access to a global network of broadcasters, content producers, and technology experts, which will enhance their ability to deliver world class news coverage to their clients. We look forward to FSN’s active participation in our events and initiatives and believe that their expertise will be a valuable addition to the AIB community.”

Feature Story News is excited about the opportunities that its AIB membership will bring and is committed to upholding the highest journalistic standards while contributing to the advancement of international broadcasting.

Simon Marks, FSN Chief Executive (pictured), said: “Joining the AIB is a strategic move that confirms FSN’s commitment to promoting excellence in international journalism and strengthening the company’s presence in the global media landscape. With over 30 “bricks and mortar” news bureaux across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia, FSN is relied upon by editors around the world to provide timely, accurate on-the-ground packages, lives, production services, and connectivity to enable them to serve their audiences with the highest quality tailored content from all corners of the globe. We are looking forward to taking an active role in the AIB’s activities as we continue to grow and support the global media industry.”

The AIB supports its members through advocacy, knowledge exchange, and research with special focus on artificial intelligence, cyber security, media freedom, and sustainability.

Extraordinary journalism and factual productions set to be rewarded in the AIBs 2023

14 September 2023

Extraordinary journalism and factual productions set to be rewarded in the AIBs 2023

80 companies in 23 countries competing for one of the prestigious AIBs

The extraordinarily varied shortlist for the 19^th annual AIBs has been revealed by the Association for International Broadcasting. Over the (northern hemisphere) summer, hundreds of hours of TV, radio and podcasts have been watched and listened to by the shortlisting team and now work from a remarkable 23 countries has reached the final judging.

Each year, the not-for-profit AIBs search out the world’s best journalism and factual productions and this year’s shortlisted work cover an immense range of subjects. The war in Ukraine, unsurprisingly, features across many categories as the devastation and its effect on Ukrainians of all ages is reported – often in horrific detail – to audiences globally. There are documentaries on Britain’s health service and protests in New Zealand against Covid vaccinations. The desperate flight of migrants and the effects of climate change are other subjects within the extensive shortlist, alongside lighter stories on great pandas and the Tasmanian tiger.

“Each year the AIB is honoured to be allowed to showcase the most extraordinary work and remarkable stories produced by journalists and programme makers in all parts of the world,” says Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the Association for International Broadcasting. “It is truly humbling that so many organisations choose to submit entries to the AIBs, and to ask our global panel of judges to evaluate their work. As an organisation, we pay tribute to their bravery and tenacity in telling stories that really matter to audiences in all parts of the world.”

Demonstrating the international flavour of the competition, work in this year’s AIBs has been produced in English and 19 other languages and 80 organisations are represented in the shortlist.

The complete shortlist, covering 20 categories, is available at https://theaibs.tv/AIBs-2023/Shortlist-2023/AIBs-2023-shortlist.pdf.

The AIBs 2023 will be presented in London on 10 November during the traditional gala evening that regularly brings guests together from Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Reserve your places at this major celebration of success here.

The Event Partner for the AIBs 2023 is Taiwan’s international media company, Rti – Radio Taiwan International. This year, Rti is celebrating its 95^th anniversary.

Rti named as the AIBs 2023 Event Partner

19 June 2023

Rti named as the AIBs 2023 Event Partner

As Radio Taiwan International marks the 95th anniversary of its founding, the multimedia company demonstrates its support of global journalism and factual productions

The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) is thrilled to announce that Radio Taiwan International (Rti) has been named the Event Partner for the AIBs 2023, the renowned and respected 19th annual international competition for journalism and factual productions across TV, radio, and digital platforms.

The AIBs, widely recognised as one of the most prestigious awards in the broadcasting industry, celebrate outstanding achievements in journalism and content production worldwide. As Event Partner, Rti will bring its rich heritage, extensive experience, and commitment to journalistic excellence to the forefront of the competition.

This year holds special significance as it marks the 95th anniversary of the founding of Rti. Founded in 1928, the broadcaster has been a beacon of truth, impartiality, and quality reporting across the globe for 95 years. With its steadfast dedication to providing accurate news, insightful analysis, and diverse cultural programming, Rti has long been as a trusted voice in international broadcasting.

“We are delighted to have Radio Taiwan International as our Event Partner for the AIBs 2023,” said Simon Spanswick, CEO of the Association for International Broadcasting. “Rti’s longstanding commitment to objective journalism and its remarkable contributions to the media landscape make them an ideal partner for our competition. As we celebrate the 95th anniversary of Rti ‘s founding, we look forward to highlighting their exemplary work and their continued dedication to informing and enlightening audiences worldwide.”

As the Event Partner, Rti will collaborate closely with the AIB to ensure the success of the AIBs 2023. Together, they will promote the competition, attract top-quality entries, and engage the global broadcasting community in celebrating the outstanding achievements of journalists, broadcasters, and content producers.

“We are honoured to be chosen as the Event Partner for the AIBs 2023,” said Cheryl Lai, Chairperson of Radio Taiwan International. “As we commemorate our 95th anniversary, this partnership allows us to showcase the profound impact Rti has had on international broadcasting. We are excited to collaborate with the AIB in recognising the exceptional talent and remarkable stories that shape our industry. Through this platform, we aim to inspire, inform, and foster a greater understanding of the world.”

The AIBs 2023 feature a diverse range of categories, encompassing news, current affairs, documentary, investigative journalism, natural history, and more. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of international judges, ensuring a fair and comprehensive assessment of the submissions.

The partnership between AIB and Rti promises to elevate the AIBs 2023 to new heights, celebrating the power of journalism and the transformative impact of factual productions. Together, they will continue to advance the industry, recognising excellence and promoting the values of truth, accuracy, and impartiality.