AIB launches survey on media freedom awareness

16 December 2020

AIB launches survey on media freedom awareness

As part of its continuing work on media freedom and in advance of its Symposium in late January 2021, the Association for International Broadcasting is undertaking a survey of editors, journalists and executives in news organisations globally to gauge the impact of the global Media Freedom Coalition.

The survey, that takes only a few minutes to complete, seeks responses to questions surrounding perceptions of the intergovernmental Media Freedom Coalition, responses to the international media freedom conferences that have taken place in the past few weeks, and more.

“It’s important to understand how the international media freedom work is understood and what impact it has,” says AIB chief executive Simon Spanswick. “As part of the AIB’s preparations for its own media freedom symposium that allows our Members to share experiences and explore collaboration on media freedom issues and infringements, we want to understand feelings across the global news industry. This survey is an important part of this work.”

The survey is available online at https://forms.gle/AhuJCKaDp9mcEXFq7 and in print format at http://cfb.d5c.myftpupload.com/Media-Freedom/Survey-Dec-20/AIB-Media-Freedom-Survey-Dec-2020.pdf.

AIB lodges protest with Uganda over CBC/Radio-Canada expulsions

4 December 2020

AIB lodges protest with Uganda over CBC/Radio-Canada expulsions

Expulsion of CBC/Radio-Canada journalists by Uganda authorities against principles of media freedom

The Association for International Broadcasting has lodged a formal protest with the Ugandan High Commissions in Canada and the UK following the expulsion of three journalists by the Ugandan authorities.

Margaret Evans, Jean-Francois Bisson and Lily Martin had been granted visas and media accreditation by the Uganda government and were working on stories in Kampala when they were told to leave the country.

According to government spokesman Ofwono Opondo, the three journalists had failed to apply for a “journalist visa” – something that does not exist in Uganda. The correct procedure is to obtain an “ordinary visa” and then be accredited by the Uganda Media Centre – a government entity. The CBC/Radio-Canada team had followed these rules.

“It is lamentable that the Ugandan government chose to expel the CBC/Radio-Canada crew,” said Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the Association for International Broadcasting. “What is even more disturbing is that the Ugandan authorities appear to be spreading misinformation suggesting that the team did not follow the correct procedures to obtain authorisation to carry out journalistic work in the country. We expect the Ugandan authorities to issue an apology and to work to uphold media freedom in the country over the coming weeks and months.”

AIB publishes industry briefing to 27,000+ readers worldwide

1 December 2020

AIB publishes industry briefing to 27,000+ readers worldwide

The AIB has published its latest industry briefing, helping media leaders around the world keep up-to-date on key developments and trends.

This edition includes analysis of Disney’s pivot to streaming that’s taking over as the company’s greatest revenue stream; winners of the AIBs – our annual competition for journalism and factual productions; new channel launches, and more.

The AIB media industry briefing reaches the in boxes of thousands of media leaders, executives, editors, journalists, producers and analysts. For information on how to use the AIB industry briefing to support your brand, talk to the AIB Secretariat today.

In the meantime, read the briefing here: http://cfb.d5c.myftpupload.com/NL/AIB-Nx-brief-011220.html

Winners of the AIBs 2020 announced

18 November 2020

Winners of the AIBs 2020 announced

Two-part programme showcases all finalists and reveals winners of the AIBs 2020

The Association for International Broadcasting has revealed the winners of its international competition for journalism and factual productions across TV, radio and digital platforms.

Over two programmes, clips from all shortlisted entries were showcased to a global audience. The programmes were hosted by Kim Vinnell, presenter on Al Jazeera English.

“We wanted to make sure that the work that entrants entrusted us with was showcased as effectively as we do in our traditional live event,” says Clare Dance, producer and coordinator of the AIBs. “We had to overcome many challenges as with finalists from all over the world, we could not possibly expect nominees to stay up all night to take part. Instead, we devised questions to all 120+ finalists asking about particular aspects of their production or journalism. Then we used these ‘as live’ in our show. None of the entrants knew in advance whether they’d won, as we were determined to keep the sense of anticipation alive.”

The two programmes – which can be seen on the AIBs website (www.theaibs.tv) – followed the format that the competition has established over the past 16 years. They included signature segments, including the “in conversation” element.

Winners include:

AFP

Al Jazeera Digital

Al Jazeera English

BBC Northern Ireland

BBC Radio 4

BBC World Service

Channel 4

CNA, MediaCorp

CNN

Deutsche Welle

ITN Productions

New Normal Culture

Perfect Storm Productions

Sky News StoryCast

TBI Media

Tortoise Media

VRT

Wild Pacific Media

Full information on all winners and highly commended nominees is in the AIBs Winners and Finalists book, available online.

The two-part programme can be seen at theaibs.tv.

The AIBs 2020 event partner is Al Jazeera Media Network.

The sponsor of the Natural World and Science & Technology Awards is Radio Taiwan International.

CNA MediaCorp named AIB Channel of the Year

17 November 2020

CNA MediaCorp named AIB Channel of the Year

Singapore-based pan-regional broadcaster praised for clear and coherent news editorial values

CNA from Singapore’s MediaCorp has received the prestigious accolade of Channel of the Year at the AIBs 2020, the international competition for journalism and factual productions.

Announced during an online TV show screened globally, the award recognises CNA’s the varied range of content that the channel delivers to its audiences as well as its clear cultural identity at the heart of Asia.

“It is great to see CNA named the AIB Channel of the Year,” says Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive of the Association for International Broadcasting. “Our international panel of judges were impressed by many aspects of CNA’s work. They noted the meaningful engagement with multiple social media platforms and the compelling on-air presenting team across the channel’s output. The recognition by CNA’s peers in media companies worldwide is significant and well-deserved.”

Each year the AIB Channel of the Year award attracts nominations from broadcasters in all parts of the world. This is the first time that a channel based in Asia has been the recipient of this important award.

CNA news anchor and senior producer Dawn Tan told the AIBs awards show audience that for the past two decades, the channel has worked to represent the cultural, ethnic, historical and political diversity that Asia enjoys. You can watch Dawn Tan’s interview in the AIBs awards programme at www.theaibs.tv.

Previous recipients of the AIB Channel of the Year award include Bloomberg Television, Al Jazeera Children’s Channel and CNN International.

BBC Africa Eye investigation receives AIB Impact Award

17 November 2020

BBC Africa Eye investigation receives AIB Impact Award

Undercover reporting by 12 female journalists captures shocking sexual harassment in West African universities

The Association for International Broadcasting has given its Impact Award to BBC Africa Eye for its year-long investigation – Sex for Grades – which triggered a rapid high-level reaction to the epidemic of sexual harassment of women students in top universities in Nigeria and in Ghana.

The investigation, which involved highly risky secret filming by 12 young women journalists, provided prima facie evidence of sexual misconduct that led to the suspension of a number of senior lecturers at the University of Lagos and the University of Ghana.

The undercover reporters exposed the existence of a so-called “Cold Room” within the senior staff club at the University of Lagos where women students were allegedly groomed and groped by academic staff.

The AIB Impact Award – sponsored by Al Jazeera Media Network – was presented to Lagos-based BBC journalist Kiki Mordi and BBC World Service producer Charlie Northcott as part of the AIBs 2020.

“This was a remarkable investigation with real-life consequences for those abusing their positions of power in West African universities,” says Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive of the Association for International Broadcasting. “BBC Africa Eye gathered irrefutable evidence that led to the creation of a Sexual Offenders Register in Nigeria and has also brought criminalisation of sexual harassment by university lecturers closer to being placed on Nigeria’s statute books. The AIB Impact Award is well-deserved and the AIB sends its congratulations to the BBC Africa Eye team for its bravery, determination and perseverance in telling this story.”

The AIB Impact Award is given to programmes or series that have delivered a significant, measurable impact. Sex for Grades exceeded all the requirements for consideration for the AIB Impact Award in 2020.

The coronavirus pandemic prevented the holding of the traditional live awards event in London. Instead, the AIBs were presented during a two-part TV programme hosted by Kim Vinnell, presenter on Al Jazeera English.

These are available to view at www.theaibs.tv, including, in part two, an interview with Sex for Grades journalist Kiki Mordi [on screen, from Lagos] and BBC World Service producer Charlie Northcott.