3 May marks World Press Freedom Day. The international day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the 26th Session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991. This in turn was a response to a call by African journalists who in 1991 produced the landmark Windhoek Declaration on media pluralism and independence.
Every year, 3 May is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) is launching its twelfth annual festival of factual TV, radio and online productions – the AIBs – on Monday 4 April at MIPTV. These awards, run by the not-for-profit global trade association for international broadcasting, are recognised as the preeminent celebration of documentaries and other factual genres from across the globe.
Over the past 11 years, the AIBs have rewarded the world’s leading factual storytellers who have reported on immensely significant issues to global audiences. The winners have sought out the truth, challenging those with power and influence. Their investigations have often been undertaken in difficult and dangerous situations, sometimes in remote parts of the world, where establishing the facts is not straightforward.
“Winning an AIB represents the pinnacle of achievement for factual programme makers,” says Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the Association for International Broadcasting. “Each year we see the most remarkable stories told and extraordinary facts uncovered. Because this festival is a truly global celebration, we are privileged to see work from every continent, from broadcasters and production companies large and small. The competition is incredibly strong each year and this contributes to the outstanding nature of the AIBs.”
Past television winners have covered subjects as varied as refugee crises in Africa and the Middle East to war crimes in South Asia, the high price of cheap food in Western Europe to narrowly averted nuclear disaster in Japan. In radio, the variety of stories has been equally diverse, ranging from Sudan’s independence to slavery in Asia, the Haiti earthquake to the high price of cheap credit.
Last year’s winner of the coveted investigative documentary award was Human Harvest by Flying Cloud Productions, a programme that investigated claims that first emerged from China in 2006 that state-run hospitals were killing prisoners of conscience to sell their organs. The judges said that this programme effectively captured the horror of the story through credible testimony and proactive research, complemented by outstanding production values and solid structures.
Keeping children informed is a key part of many broadcasters’ work, and the AIBs provide a platform for the makers of children’s factual programming to showcase their work. The AIBs have rewarded producers covering subjects from growing up in a war zone to body image and eating disorders, each story told imaginatively and sensitively helping children understand complex and often frightening issues.
“Since these awards are truly international, the AIBs are open for work produced in any country and in any language,” Spanswick continues. “Our winners have included work produced in Mandarin, German, Arabic, Danish, Swedish and Spanish, to give a few examples, as well as English. Language is definitely not a barrier in this festival.”
The AIBs 2016 have 17 categories:
TELEVISION
Journalism
Short form journalism
Domestic current affairs documentary
International current affairs documentary
Investigative documentary
Specialist programme
Science
Children’s factual
Short feature
Sport
ON-AIR TALENT
TV personality
Radio personality
RADIO
Journalism
Current affairs documentary
Investigative documentary
Creative feature
ONLINE
Online production
The AIBs 2016 are open for entry until 30 June. In September, the international panel of judges will assess the work and the results will be announced in London on 2 November at the AIB’s star-studded award dinner.
Full information is available in the entry book, available for download at theaibs.tv.
Radio, the oldest electronic mass medium, is in good health and well positioned for the future. That’s the message from the Association for International Broadcasting as World Radio Day 2016 is marked internationally.
“Radio generates revenues of well over US$25m every year,” comments Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB). “Radio is a major a generator of economic growth and employment – both in front of and behind the microphone. Every day, it touches the lives of billions of people, providing news, information, entertainment and education. At the AIB we’re delighted to join with our Members to celebrate the continued relevance and importance of radio on 13 February, the day designated by UNESCO as World Radio Day.”
The AIB is publishing a special souvenir book to demonstrate the value of radio internationally. ‘The Business of Radio’ provides insight into the radio industry and profiles Members of the AIB who operate radio networks and the service providers that keep radio on the air around the world.
‘The Business of Radio’ is being sent to opinion-leaders including parliamentarians and media regulators around the world to remind them of the key role that radio continues to play, even in the digital age of mobile apps and social media.
“The strength of radio is its ability to connect people in a way that other media cannot,” continues Spanswick. “At the AIB, we are delighted to see that our radio Members are reacting positively to the changes in media consumption habits. For example, they make sure that their programmes are available via multiple platforms, increasing their reach as they do. The AIB is pleased to be accompanying them on their journey into radio’s bright future.” or as a downloadable PDF at
‘The Business of Radio’ includes articles contributed by a number of the AIB’s Members, including the BBC, Broadcasting Board of Governors, RNW Media, Radio Taiwan International and DW. It is available in digital page-turning format at http://aib.org.uk/Resources/BizofRadio.html or as a downloadable PDF here.
The AIB will be marking World Radio Day 2016 with a special publication celebrating the work of the Association’s Members that work in this important branch of the media.
Every day, radio touches the lives of billions of people across the planet, and many AIB Members produce programming that informs, educates and entertains hundreds of millions of people on every continent.
We’re publishing a special booklet that explains about the work of AIB Members involved in radio, either producing programming or providing the technology that delivers the programmes onto people’s radio sets, mobile devices or computers.
The booklet will be available for policy makers, regulators and parliamentarians around the world. For more details about the book and how to be involved, contact Tom Wragg at AIB headquarters.
The new Executive Committee of the Association for International Broadcasting has been elected by AIB Members.
Four of the existing Executive Committee Members stood for re-election and were unanimously voted in for a second two-year term. Six candidates from across the AIB’s international membership were nominated for the remaining two places on the six person Committee.
The new Executive Committee – which provides governance of the AIB’s permanent Secretariat and assists with the formulation of the AIB’s strategic direction and overall work plan – is now comprised of:
Anastasia Ellis, Managing Editor, Bloomberg Media EMEA
Simon Kendall, Head of Business Development, BBC World Service
Klaus Bergmann, Director of International Relations, Deutsche Welle
John Maguire, Director of International Development, France Médias Monde
Alexey Nikolov, Managing Editor, Russia Today
Travis W.K. Sun, Vice President, Radio Taiwan International
The Committee members hold office for a two-year period.
Each year, the AIB publishes a calendar of media events around the world that we believe are worthwhile gatherings. The diverse list is constantly updated through the year, enabling you to keep on top of what’s happening in different markets globally, and where you and your colleagues should devote energy in seeing and being seen!
The AIB will be marking World Radio Day 2016 with a special publication celebrating the work of the Association’s Members that work in this important branch of the media.
Each year, the AIB publishes a calendar of media events around the world that we believe are worthwhile gatherings. The diverse list is constantly updated through the year, enabling you to keep on top of what’s happening in different markets globally, and where you and your colleagues should devote energy in seeing and being seen!