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

AIB Statement on US Administration’s Decision to Cut Funding and Suspend Employees of Voice of America

16 March 2025

AIB Statement on US Administration’s Decision to Cut Funding and Suspend Employees of Voice of America

The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) is highly concerned by the decision on 15 March by the US administration to effectively cease funding for US international broadcasting entities and to place hundreds of employees of Voice of America (VoA) on administrative leave. These measures represent a significant setback for global media freedom and threaten the ability of millions of people worldwide to access impartial, fact-based journalism.

For more than eight decades, US international broadcasters such as VoA, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and others have served as critical sources of independent news for audiences living under censorship, state-controlled media, and information blackouts. Their reporting provides an essential counterbalance to disinformation and propaganda in some of the most restrictive media environments in the world.

The decision to cut funding and suspend operations has far-reaching and potentially irreversible consequences. It will:

Undermine media freedom: By weakening one of the world’s most respected international news providers, these actions risk emboldening authoritarian regimes that seek to suppress independent journalism.
Reduce access to credible information: Hundreds of millions of people who rely on US international broadcasters for accurate and unbiased reporting—particularly in conflict zones and countries with restricted press freedom—will find it more difficult to access reliable news.
Damage America’s global credibility: The US has long championed press freedom as a fundamental democratic principle. By dismantling key international broadcasting institutions, the US government undermines its own commitment to free and independent journalism.

At a time when disinformation and propaganda are on the rise, the need for independent, professional journalism is greater than ever. The AIB calls on the US administration to immediately reverse these damaging decisions, restore funding to US international broadcasters, and ensure that journalists can continue their vital work without political interference.

Commenting on the developments, Simon Spanswick, AIB chief executive, said: “At a time when the world is looking to the US to be a global player for peace and freedom, cutting funding for US international media – one of the main instruments underpinning this goal – seems the wrong direction to take.”

AIB launches Government Relations service for members

4 December 2024

AIB launches Government Relations service for members

The AIB has employed experienced Government and Parliamentary advisors to help you build relations with decision-makers, instead of simply following policy edicts handed down from on-high

In most countries, broadcasting has a dynamic and sometimes problematic relationship with political administrations. This occurs for many different reasons, but the result is the same: stress on broadcasters and time and money spent on conforming to regulatory frameworks that broadcasters may have had little power to influence when they were created.

That’s why the Association for International Broadcasting has launched the AIB Government Relations Division. This team is all about finding win-win solutions with politicians and other official authorities, enabling broadcasting to turbocharge its ability to seek amicable and fair self-regulatory and regulatory solutions to the challenges facing the industry in legislation and guidelines, particularly as the media marketplace changes so rapidly.

The AIB already advises a number of members in this area of activity, and we’re now formalising our service. Many of the same problems are present in different countries and often solutions based on the AIB’s vast international experience of regulatory and legal frameworks affecting broadcasting can be applied effectively in these cases.

The AIB also aspires to ensure that broadcasting is “ahead of the curve” in terms of potential legislation. We do this by offering members the opportunity to become highly proactive with relevant legislative Parliamentary authorities, ensuring that the industry’s input is made so early that often it avoids any “top-down” legislation that can harm the latitude of the industry to perform its functions.

The Government Relations Division can and will handle any project of any size affecting the sector in your country or region. We have former Parliamentarians, professional public affairs experts and legal counsel to help with any issue. Whether you’re a large firm or in the early stages of your development, we’ll be happy to help. We work on reactive cases that need a fast response, and proactive cases where the industry itself seeks reform or action from authorities.

Get in touch with the AIB Government Relations Division through the AIB Secretariat. We always start with a general conversation, and then develop a framework agenda for the project. Based on your input and feedback, we develop the programme from there, bringing in other relevant interest groups if and when required.

Governments respect us because we have no political vested interest – simply a professional interest in ensuring the success and vitality of the broadcasting sector. Get in touch and let’s see what we can do to help you have a good, honest and influential relationship with governments and its political officers.

The AIB Government Relations Division is the smart, non-confrontational way to influence policymakers, and turn political decision-makers into policymaking partners.

In memoriam: Linden Clark, former head of Radio New Zealand and originator of the AIBs

2 December 2024

In memoriam: Linden Clark, former head of Radio New Zealand and originator of the AIBs

The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) mourns the passing of Linden Clark, who died peacefully at her home in Martinborough, New Zealand, on 29 November 2024, aged 62. Linden was the wife and best friend of Matthew Finn, and the twin sister of Cherry Wells, who lives in Devon, UK.

Linden Clark was instrumental in the creation of the AIBs, the Association’s annual International Media Excellence Awards. Established in 2005, the AIBs have become a prestigious event recognising excellence in journalism and factual productions across television, radio, and digital platforms. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the AIBs, a testament to Linden’s enduring vision and commitment to the broadcasting industry.

The AIB extends its deepest condolences to Linden’s family and friends during this difficult time. Her contributions to international broadcasting have left an indelible mark, and she will be remembered with profound respect and gratitude.

Image: Linden Clark at the AIB Global Media Business Conference in Prague, 2004, where the idea of establishing was first suggested by Linden