Shure Named Exclusive Event Partner for the AIBs 2026

4 August 2026

Shure Named Exclusive Event Partner for the AIBs 2026

Partnership reflects a shared commitment to empowering media voices and advancing exceptional storytelling

The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) is delighted to announce that Shure has become the Exclusive Event Partner for the AIBs 2026, the 22nd annual international awards for journalism and factual productions.

The partnership brings together one of the world’s most respected audio technology companies with one of the media industry’s most prestigious international competitions, reinforcing the vital role that audio plays in compelling storytelling across television, radio, podcasting and digital platforms.

The AIBs recognise excellence in journalism and factual production from around the world, with entries welcomed in all languages and from organisations of every size. Judged by an international panel of senior editors, producers, commissioners and media executives, the AIBs have become recognised as the global barometer of journalism and factual storytelling.

As the Exclusive Event Partner, Shure will work closely with the AIB throughout the year to support initiatives that bring together journalists, programme makers and production professionals from around the world. A key element of the partnership will be the AIB-Shure Masterclasses designed to share knowledge, expertise and best practices among content creators working across multiple platforms and genres.

This partnership reflects two organisations collaborating and strengthening connections between programme makers, journalists and the technology providers that enable high-quality storytelling.

Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the AIB, said:

“Shure is a company whose reputation for excellence is recognised throughout the global media industry. Sound is fundamental to effective storytelling, whether in radio, podcasts, television, documentary filmmaking or digital content. We are therefore delighted to welcome Shure as Event Partner for the AIBs 2026.

“Beyond supporting the awards themselves, this partnership will create valuable opportunities for journalists and programme makers to learn from one another, exchange ideas and develop new skills through a programme of masterclasses and collaborative activities. We look forward to working closely with the Shure team over the coming months.”

Peter James, Vice President Global Business Development, Shure, said:

“At Shure, we believe that great journalism and factual storytelling help people betterconnect with the world around them. The AIBs celebrate the very best work being produced across the globe, making them a natural fit for Shure’s commitment to supporting broadcasters, content creators and media professionals.”

“Audio is at the heart of every great story. Whether audiences are listening to a podcast, watching a documentary or following breaking news coverage, high-quality sound plays a critical role in creating engagement, understanding and trust. Through this partnership, we look forward to highlighting the importance of audio excellence and supporting the next generation of storytellers.”

The winners of the AIBs 2026 will be announced at a gala awards ceremony in London on 20 November 2026, bringing together journalists, producers, commissioners, editors and media executives from around the world.

Further information can be found at the AIBs website, www.theaibs.tv.

AIB responds to UNESCO consultation on fair compensation for news

31 July 2026

AIB responds to UNESCO consultation on fair compensation for news

The Association for International Broadcasting has submitted a response to UNESCO’s consultation on fair compensation for news, arguing that independent journalism must not become unpaid raw material for digital platforms and AI systems.

The Association for International Broadcasting has submitted a response to UNESCO’s consultation on Fair Compensation for News, setting out the interests and concerns of AIB members in a fast-developing area of media policy.

UNESCO’s consultation examines how news organisations should be compensated when their journalism is used by digital platforms, search engines, aggregators and artificial-intelligence systems. AIB’s response was submitted on behalf of members and has been acknowledged by UNESCO.

AIB argues that fair compensation for news must be seen as a question of media sustainability, freedom of expression and democratic accountability – not simply as a commercial negotiation between publishers and technology companies.

Independent journalism requires sustained investment in reporters, editors, producers, fact-checkers, correspondents, legal review, safety, technical infrastructure and editorial governance. AIB’s submission stresses that this work enables journalism to hold power to account, counter disinformation and provide trusted information to audiences around the world.

The response highlights the growing challenges faced by broadcasters and other media organisations whose journalism is being indexed, summarised, repurposed or used to train and support AI systems without adequate payment, transparency or attribution.

AIB’s submission calls for UNESCO’s final guidance to recognise the full range of journalistic output produced by modern media organisations, including television, radio, podcasts, video, audio, scripts, transcripts, subtitles, images, metadata, archives and multilingual services.

It also argues that digital platforms and AI actors should provide meaningful transparency about how news content is used. This includes whether content has been retrieved by bots or crawlers, used to ground AI-generated answers, cited as a source, displayed to users, and whether users have then engaged with the originating news organisation.

AIB’s response makes clear that publicly funded journalism should not be treated as free raw material for commercial technology products. Public-service, publicly funded, commercial and mixed-model media organisations all require sustainable economic foundations if they are to continue producing trusted, independent journalism.

Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive of AIB, said:

“This is a critical issue for every organisation that invests in original journalism and factual content. Search engines, digital platforms and AI systems derive significant value from professional news output, but the organisations that create that journalism are too often left without fair payment, meaningful attribution or proper data about how their work has been used.

“AIB’s role is to ensure that the voice of international broadcasters and media organisations is heard in these global policy discussions. Journalism that holds power to account can only exist if it is properly and sustainably funded.”

AIB’s submission also supports the need for granular consent, so that media organisations can permit conventional search indexing while refusing AI training, AI-generated summaries or other forms of reuse. It calls for enforceable safeguards, rather than reliance on voluntary technical systems alone.

The response further emphasises the need for accuracy, context and editorial integrity. AI-generated answers and search summaries can misstate facts, strip journalism of essential context or oversimplify complex reporting, potentially damaging trust in both the originating news organisation and journalism more broadly.

AIB will continue to work with members on the implications of AI, platform power, content licensing, attribution and fair value exchange for journalism.

AIB members can request a copy of the submission from the Secretariat. Organisations interested in joining AIB and contributing to this work can contact the Association at contactaib@aib.org.uk

Rti renews broadcast partnership with the AIBs 2026

31 July 2026

Rti renews broadcast partnership with the AIBs 2026

Renewed collaboration strengthens ties between Rti and the Association for International Broadcasting and brings the world’s leading journalism awards to international audiences

Radio Taiwan International (Rti) has renewed its partnership with the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) and will serve as the official Broadcast Partner of the AIBs 2026, the 22nd annual international awards for journalism and factual productions.

The renewed agreement continues a successful collaboration between the AIB and Rti and reflects the two organisations’ shared commitment to independent journalism, international dialogue and media freedom.

As Broadcast Partner, Rti will make coverage of the AIBs 2026 awards available through its platforms, bringing the work of outstanding journalists, producers, presenters and programme-makers to audiences in Taiwan and around the world.

Rti will also sponsor the News Coverage – Audio award, recognising exceptional radio and podcast journalism that delivers authoritative, timely and compelling reporting on major events.

The partnership builds on renewed ties between the AIB and Rti and their growing cooperation across international broadcasting, journalism and public service media. It also highlights the increasingly important role played by Taiwan’s international media in connecting the country with global audiences.

Cheryl Lai, Chairperson of Radio Taiwan International (pictured), said:

“Radio Taiwan International is proud to renew its partnership with the AIB and to serve once again as Broadcast Partner of the AIBs. At a time when reliable information and independent journalism are more important than ever, the AIBs provide an essential international platform for recognising the journalists and programme-makers who help audiences understand an increasingly complex world.

“Rti connects Taiwan with audiences around the globe through journalism rooted in public service, editorial integrity and international understanding. This partnership enables us to support those same values while bringing exceptional work from across the international media industry to audiences in Taiwan and beyond.”

Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive of the Association for International Broadcasting, said:

“We are delighted to renew and strengthen the AIB’s relationship with Radio Taiwan International. Rti is a highly valued partner whose international outlook and commitment to trusted journalism closely match the principles that have underpinned the AIBs for more than two decades.

“Through this partnership, Rti will help us showcase outstanding journalism and factual storytelling from every continent. It will also enable audiences around the world to discover work that informs, investigates, challenges and inspires.

“The renewed collaboration is an important part of the wider relationship between the AIB and Rti, and we look forward to developing further opportunities to work together in support of international broadcasting and media freedom.”

The AIBs are one of the world’s longest-established international competitions for journalism and factual productions. Entries are accepted in all languages and are judged by an independent panel of more than 60 senior media professionals drawn from every continent.

The 2026 competition has attracted entries from broadcasters, production companies and independent journalists around the world, reinforcing the AIBs’ position as a global barometer of excellence in journalism and factual storytelling.

The winners will be announced at the AIBs 2026 gala awards evening at the Park Hyatt London River Thames on Friday 20 November 2026. The event will bring together leading journalists, editors, producers, executives and commissioners from across the international media industry.

Further information about the AIBs is available at www.theaibs.tv.

TRT WORLD’s Maria Ramos to host the AIBs 2026

30 July 2026

TRT WORLD’s Maria Ramos to host the AIBs 2026

London-based presenter of international news channel will guide the AIBs 2026 gala evening in November

The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) is delighted to announce that Maria Ramos, journalist and anchor with TRT World, will host the AIBs 2026, the 22nd annual international awards for journalism and factual productions.

The AIBs bring together journalists, producers, editors, commissioners and media leaders from around the world to celebrate excellence in factual storytelling and journalism across television, radio and digital platforms.

Maria Ramos is one of the leading faces of international news broadcasting, presenting flagship news and current affairs programmes for TRT World. Her experience covering major global events and engaging audiences across continents makes her an ideal host for one of the media industry’s most respected international awards programmes.

The AIBs 2026 gala awards evening will take place in London on Friday 20 November 2026.

Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive of the AIB, said: “We are delighted that Maria Ramos will be hosting the AIBs 2026. Maria is a highly accomplished multilingual journalist and presenter with extensive international experience particularly across the Middle East and Türkiye. On the global stage, she moderates for NATO summits and the United Nations. Her professionalism, warmth and understanding of the importance of quality journalism make her an excellent choice to guide our audience through an evening that celebrates some of the finest journalism and factual productions created anywhere in the world.”

Maria Ramos said: “I’m honoured to be hosting the AIBs 2026 and celebrating the extraordinary work being produced by journalists and storytellers around the world. It’s exciting to see the range and depth of work submitted by colleagues to this year’s competition that sets the standard of reporting and factual productions globally.”

The AIBs are recognised as a global benchmark for journalism and factual productions. Entries are accepted in all languages and are judged by an international panel of experts drawn from across the media industry.

The 2026 competition has attracted entries from over 25 countries in multiple languages across 22 categories. The entries are now being shortlisted before the international panel of over 60 judges sets to work evaluating the submissions.

.For more information about the AIBs 2026 visit www.theaibs.tv

AIB extends entry deadline for the AIBs 2026 following strong international demand

2 July 2026

AIB extends entry deadline for the AIBs 2026 following strong international demand

The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) has extended the deadline for entries to the AIBs 2026, giving broadcasters, production companies and independent producers around the world additional time to submit their work to this year’s international awards.

The new closing date for entries is Friday 17 July 2026.

The decision follows requests from broadcasters, producers, editors and commissioners across multiple countries who asked for extra time to complete submissions for the 22nd annual AIB awards.

“The response to this year’s competition has been tremendously encouraging,” said Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the AIB. “We’ve heard from organisations around the world that are keen to enter but needed a little more time to prepare their submissions. Rather than risk outstanding journalism and factual productions being left out, we’ve extended the deadline by two weeks.”

The AIBs recognise excellence across television, radio, podcasting and digital journalism, celebrating work produced in any language and for audiences of any size. Over more than two decades, the awards have earned an international reputation for recognising journalism that informs, investigates, challenges and inspires.

Widely regarded as the global barometer of journalism, the AIBs are judged by an independent international panel of more than 60 experienced media professionals drawn from every continent. Their expertise spans news, current affairs, documentaries, factual programming, audio production, digital media and editorial leadership, ensuring every entry is assessed fairly against the highest professional standards.

The competition is open to broadcasters, production companies, independent producers and digital publishers from anywhere in the world. Categories cover breaking news, investigative journalism, international affairs, health and social issues, sustainability, innovative factual storytelling, arts and culture, domestic affairs, politics and business, and more, across video, audio and digital platforms.

The AIBs also celebrate individual excellence through the Journalist of the Year awards for both video and audio, recognising journalists whose work has demonstrated exceptional editorial judgement, storytelling and public service.

Entrants should note that while the entry deadline is now Friday 17 July, programme files and supporting material must be uploaded by the end of July, allowing the international judging process to begin in August.

Winners will be announced at the AIBs 2026 gala ceremony in London on 20 November 2026, bringing together journalists, programme-makers, editors, commissioners and industry leaders from around the world to celebrate the year’s outstanding achievements in factual storytelling.

Full details of the competition, categories, entry criteria and submission process are available at theaibs.tv.

Key dates

Entry deadline: Friday 17 July 2026
Programme upload deadline: 31 July 2026
AIBs 2026 awards ceremony: 20 November 2026, London

AIB publishes FIFA World Cup 2026 safety briefing for media organisations

11 May 2026

AIB publishes FIFA World Cup 2026 safety briefing for media organisations

The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) has published a new safety briefing for member organisations ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will take place across the USA, Mexico and Canada.

The briefing has been developed to support broadcasters, production companies and media organisations deploying staff to the tournament, with a particular focus on operational, legal and digital security risks that may affect media personnel working in and around the event.

While the World Cup is one of the world’s largest sporting occasions, the AIB notes that the operating environment for media organisations has become significantly more complex in recent years. The guidance highlights issues including enhanced border scrutiny in the USA, device inspection and digital security concerns, civil unrest and crowd safety considerations, as well as location-specific security risks in parts of Mexico.

Importantly, the briefing is not aimed solely at reporters and correspondents. The AIB stresses that production staff, engineering teams, technical crews, producers, digital teams and operational personnel may face the same risk profile as journalists, particularly when entering the USA or operating in fast-moving public situations.

The publication forms part of the AIB’s wider work supporting member organisations with strategic intelligence, operational awareness and risk mitigation across the international media sector.

The AIB is also working closely with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on safety issues surrounding the World Cup. Together, the organisations are developing a series of webinars and practical briefings for media organisations and their staff in the run-up to the tournament.

The first webinar is scheduled to take place on 25 May, with registration details to be circulated to AIB members shortly.

Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the AIB, said:

“Risk for media organisations is no longer confined to traditional hostile environments. Increasingly, operational risk begins at the border and extends through digital exposure, legal considerations and rapidly changing public situations.

We felt it was important to provide practical guidance that can support not only journalists, but everyone involved in the deployment of media operations around the World Cup.”

The FIFA World Cup 2026 safety briefing is available exclusively to AIB members.

Media organisations that are not currently members of the AIB and would like to discuss access to the briefing, AIB membership and the range of intelligence reports, strategic briefings, working groups and industry support provided by the Association are invited to contact the AIB Secretariat.

Further information about the AIB is available at: AIB official website