AIB members gain instant access to 10,000+ freelance journalists

20 June 2025

AIB members gain instant access to 10,000+ freelance journalists

Over the past few months, the AIB Secretariat has been working with Paydesk, a global network of more than 10,000 freelancers – from audio and video reporters to producers and fixers – and comprehensive workflow management software platform. Paydesk simplifies the process of finding, booking, hiring, paying and insuring freelances. Paydesk is used by major news organisations such as Euronews, RTE, CBS, The Sunday Times and The Sun to contract freelancers in territories around the world to deliver quality news reporting and related services.

Paydesk is a one-stop shop to hire freelancers in areas where news organisations may not have their own reporters, or where it is too costly to deploy crews at short notice.

Importantly, Paydesk provides insurance cover for the freelancers when carrying out jobs contracted through the platform, helping to provide a level of security for the freelancer and their family if something untoward occurs during the assignment.

AIB members are now able to take advantage of a Paydesk account “seat” for their newsroom and gain immediate access to the international freelance pool that is on Paydesk’s books. There is no charge for this seat to AIB member companies.

“This is an important new benefit for our members,” says AIB Chief Executive Simon Spanswick. “As budgets shrink but demand for news coverage increases, AIB members gain a real advantage through access to a global network of freelancers, while back office administration for bookings is greatly simplified.”

To discuss how your company can benefit from this new initiative, and from all the other services that the AIB provides, contact the Secretariat.

AIB dismayed as Togo bans French international media for three months

20 June 2025

AIB dismayed as Togo bans French international media for three months

The Association for International Broadcasting is dismayed by the decision of Togo’s High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) to suspend the broadcasts of France 24 television and Radio France Internationale in the country for three months.

According to the press reports, HAAC claims that the Paris-headquartered broadcasters have “repeated failures, already reported and formally recalled, in terms of impartiality, rigour and verification of facts”. In 2024, the HAAC put RFI “on notice” for “unfair treatment of information” and “dissemination of false news about the country”.

“This suspension of independent fact-based news organisations deprives citizens of Togo of important information sources,” says AIB Chief Executive Simon Spanswick. “At a time when rumour spreads on social media platforms, the checks and balances provided by international broadcasters such as RFI and France 24 are vital to counter mis- and disinformation. The AIB calls on the HAAC to rescind its reported suspension rapidly and to allow RFI and France 24 to resume broadcasting in Togo.”

Also in June, a correspondent working for France’s TV5 Monde, Flore Monteau, has been arbitrarily detained in Togo. Monteau had been covering anti-government demonstrations in Lomé and was filming the dispersal of protesters by security forces. CPJ says that police seized her equipment and forced her to delete footage of the protests. She was also required to unlock her mobile phone by the police.

Togo, with a population of just under 9 million, is ranked 121^st in the World Press Freedom Index 2025 published by Reporters Without Borders.

Image: HAAC headquarters in Lomé; courtesy Republique Togolaise

LLM “strip mining” content – what can media companies do?

12 June 2025

LLM “strip mining” content – what can media companies do?

As artificial intelligence companies accelerate the development of Large Language Models (LLMs), trusted content from broadcasters – like that of AIB members – is being used to train these systems, often without compensation or consent. This presents both a significant challenge and a major opportunity for international media companies.

That’s why the next AIB AI Group meeting on 30 June 2025 at 0900 London time will explore how AIB members can benefit from licensing their content to AI companies for LLM training purposes.

The meeting will feature a keynote presentation by Madhav Chinnappa, Advisor to AI licensing company Human Native. With extensive experience at BBC News and Google News, Madhav brings a unique perspective on how content creators can negotiate fair, ethical, and profitable licensing arrangements with AI developers.

This is a critical moment for collaboration across the AIB membership. By working together, AIB members can:

Develop strategies to protect and monetise content
Leverage collective bargaining power to negotiate more favourable licensing deals
Ensure that non-English content – increasingly in demand by AI companies – is properly valued and represented in AI training datasets

To support the discussion, we have prepared a briefing paper for AIB members: “Content Licensing to LLMs – A Winning Strategy Against Strip Mining?”
It provides essential background on:

How LLMs are trained and the role that media content plays
The current legal and ethical landscape
The emerging global market for content licensing
The unique value that AIB members can bring – especially those producing in languages other than English

AIB member companies from all over the world will be taking part. If your organisation is not involved with the AIB yet, talk to us about how membership can benefit you and your colleagues in the field of AI, as well as cyber security, media freedom, regulatory affairs, sustainability and far more besides.

AIB publishes safety advice for journalists covering US events

12 June 2025

AIB publishes safety advice for journalists covering US events

In view of the growing number of journalists who have been injured during coverage of the LA riots, the AIB Secretariat has been asked to produce a guide to keeping safe during protests.

Some of the information is relevant to non-journalists intending to travel to the USA, for meetings, conferences, exhibitions and so forth (and equally applies to anyone in a media organisation travelling to the USA for a vacation). One key message is: do not take your work phone but use a burner phone for the duration.

The document provides top-level guidance and is not intended to replace any information that a media organisation may have already produced, and certainly does not replace any hostile environment training. The AIB has produced this simply as a handy guide for anyone working in or travelling to the USA (and indeed other territories where journalists may be on the receiving end of tear gas, rubber bullets and so on).

Contact the AIB Secretariat to get a copy of the document and to discuss membership of the AIB and the range of services members receive.

The AIBs 2025 Masterclass

20 May 2025

The AIBs 2025 Masterclass

The AIBs, our annual competition for journalism and factual productions, is not just about the trophies. It’s about sharing knowledge, ideas and experiences among the media industry: video, audio and digital.

As part of our work to make sure that we help to share best practice and concepts, and to facilitate learning among the media industry, we hold Masterclasses that bring together finalists from the AIBs.

When we launched the AIBs 2025 in April, we held a Masterclass at the Rose Shure Experience Centre at the kind invitation of Shure Inc. We had a wide range of guests in the room, including journalists, producers and editors, along with students studying journalism. Online, there was a similar range of attendees, representing more than 15 countries.

There were three sessions:

Session 1: Investigative Journalism – Breaking Barriers and Exposing Truth

• Focus: A behind-the-scenes look at award-nominated investigative reports.

• Panellists: Journalists and producers from shortlisted investigative stories.

• Key Topics:

◦ Challenges of investigative reporting in different regions.

◦ Ethical considerations and journalist safety.

◦ The role of new technology (OSINT, AI) in uncovering stories.

• Interactive Element: Case study discussion—breaking down a real investigative piece.

• Peter Smith, ITV News

• Paul Myles, On Our Radar

Session 2: Storytelling in Factual Productions – Engaging Global Audiences

• Focus: How to craft compelling factual content for international impact.

• Panellists: Creators of shortlisted factual documentaries and series.

• Key Topics:

◦ Blending narrative with factual integrity.

◦ Using visual storytelling techniques for audience engagement.

◦ Challenges of covering sensitive topics while maintaining authenticity.

• Amanda Burrell, Freelance

• Mouhssine Ennaimi, TRT WORLD

• Greg Moyer, Blue Chalk Media

Session 3: Journalism in the Digital Age – Adapting to New Platforms

• Focus: The evolving landscape of news reporting in the era of social media and AI, as well as the way other players – such as the print media – are embracing video and audio.

• Panellists: Journalists and producers using innovative digital storytelling methods.

• Key Topics:

◦ The impact of AI and automation in newsrooms.

◦ Social media’s influence on news production and distribution.

◦ Fighting misinformation and maintaining credibility.

• Dan Wright, Times Radio

• Veronica Kan-Dapaah, FT

Moderated by Henry Peirse, co-founder, Paydesk

Entries Open for the AIBs 2025 – Supporting Quality Journalism

22 April 2025

Entries Open for the AIBs 2025 – Supporting Quality Journalism

21st annual competition for journalism and factual productions welcomes entries from around the world in all languages

The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) is pleased to announce that entries are now open for the AIBs 2025 – the world’s premier awards for factual journalism and production across audio, video, and digital platforms.

For more than two decades, the AIBs have stood as a global benchmark for integrity, innovation, and impact in factual storytelling. These prestigious awards recognise the outstanding achievements of journalists, producers, and broadcasters who tell the world’s most important stories with clarity, impartiality, and courage.

In an age where trust in media is more critical than ever, the AIBs celebrate journalism that is fearless, accurate, and free from bias. Entries are welcomed from individuals and organisations across the globe, in any language, reflecting the truly international nature and influence of the AIBs.

Respected by newsrooms, media organisations, and audiences worldwide, the AIBs offer a platform to showcase work that informs, inspires, and holds power to account.

Categories for the AIBs 2025 include:

AUDIO CATEGORIES

Arts and Culture
Health and Social
Investigative
Journalist of the Year
News Coverage
Radio or Podcast Presenter of the Year
Sustainability

VIDEO CATEGORIES

Arts and Culture
Breaking News
Continuing News
Domestic Affairs
Health and Social
Innovative Factual
International Affairs
Investigative
Journalist of the Year
Politics and Business
Presenter of the Year
Short Feature
Sustainability

SPECIALIST CATEGORIES

Channel of the Year
Production Company of the Year

The AIBs are open for entry until 30 June 2025, after which the rigorous judging process led by international media leaders and experts will begin.

In addition to the competition, the AIBs provide a platform for journalists, editors and producers to share knowledge and expertise. Through the AIBs Masterclass – taking place on 29 April – colleagues and peers from across the journalism and factual productions worlds can exchange ideas and views and explore the motivation behind covering particular stories and making particular programmes. The AIBs Masterclass will have a number of shortlisted entrants from past competitions in conversation during a three-hour long event taking place at the Rose Shure Experience Centre in London, kindly hosted by Shure UK.

As well as programme makers and leading journalists, the Masterclass is open to the next generation with participants from journalism and media university courses joining the audience.

“The Masterclass is one of the ways that the AIBs help the international media industry,” comments AIB chief executive Simon Spanswick. “Each year we receive hundreds of hours of content from around the world telling remarkable stories. We want to help programme makers develop new ideas and learn from each other. The AIBs are about friendly competition and sharing expertise – a unique mix.”

Winners of the AIBs 2025 will be announced at the annual gala evening on 14 November 2025 in London.

For full details on how to enter and the submission guidelines, visit: www.theaibs.tv