Extraordinary journalism and factual productions set to be rewarded in the AIBs 2023

14 September 2023

Extraordinary journalism and factual productions set to be rewarded in the AIBs 2023

80 companies in 23 countries competing for one of the prestigious AIBs

The extraordinarily varied shortlist for the 19^th annual AIBs has been revealed by the Association for International Broadcasting. Over the (northern hemisphere) summer, hundreds of hours of TV, radio and podcasts have been watched and listened to by the shortlisting team and now work from a remarkable 23 countries has reached the final judging.

Each year, the not-for-profit AIBs search out the world’s best journalism and factual productions and this year’s shortlisted work cover an immense range of subjects. The war in Ukraine, unsurprisingly, features across many categories as the devastation and its effect on Ukrainians of all ages is reported – often in horrific detail – to audiences globally. There are documentaries on Britain’s health service and protests in New Zealand against Covid vaccinations. The desperate flight of migrants and the effects of climate change are other subjects within the extensive shortlist, alongside lighter stories on great pandas and the Tasmanian tiger.

“Each year the AIB is honoured to be allowed to showcase the most extraordinary work and remarkable stories produced by journalists and programme makers in all parts of the world,” says Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the Association for International Broadcasting. “It is truly humbling that so many organisations choose to submit entries to the AIBs, and to ask our global panel of judges to evaluate their work. As an organisation, we pay tribute to their bravery and tenacity in telling stories that really matter to audiences in all parts of the world.”

Demonstrating the international flavour of the competition, work in this year’s AIBs has been produced in English and 19 other languages and 80 organisations are represented in the shortlist.

The complete shortlist, covering 20 categories, is available at https://theaibs.tv/AIBs-2023/Shortlist-2023/AIBs-2023-shortlist.pdf.

The AIBs 2023 will be presented in London on 10 November during the traditional gala evening that regularly brings guests together from Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Reserve your places at this major celebration of success here.

The Event Partner for the AIBs 2023 is Taiwan’s international media company, Rti – Radio Taiwan International. This year, Rti is celebrating its 95^th anniversary.

Rti named as the AIBs 2023 Event Partner

19 June 2023

Rti named as the AIBs 2023 Event Partner

As Radio Taiwan International marks the 95th anniversary of its founding, the multimedia company demonstrates its support of global journalism and factual productions

The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) is thrilled to announce that Radio Taiwan International (Rti) has been named the Event Partner for the AIBs 2023, the renowned and respected 19th annual international competition for journalism and factual productions across TV, radio, and digital platforms.

The AIBs, widely recognised as one of the most prestigious awards in the broadcasting industry, celebrate outstanding achievements in journalism and content production worldwide. As Event Partner, Rti will bring its rich heritage, extensive experience, and commitment to journalistic excellence to the forefront of the competition.

This year holds special significance as it marks the 95th anniversary of the founding of Rti. Founded in 1928, the broadcaster has been a beacon of truth, impartiality, and quality reporting across the globe for 95 years. With its steadfast dedication to providing accurate news, insightful analysis, and diverse cultural programming, Rti has long been as a trusted voice in international broadcasting.

“We are delighted to have Radio Taiwan International as our Event Partner for the AIBs 2023,” said Simon Spanswick, CEO of the Association for International Broadcasting. “Rti’s longstanding commitment to objective journalism and its remarkable contributions to the media landscape make them an ideal partner for our competition. As we celebrate the 95th anniversary of Rti ‘s founding, we look forward to highlighting their exemplary work and their continued dedication to informing and enlightening audiences worldwide.”

As the Event Partner, Rti will collaborate closely with the AIB to ensure the success of the AIBs 2023. Together, they will promote the competition, attract top-quality entries, and engage the global broadcasting community in celebrating the outstanding achievements of journalists, broadcasters, and content producers.

“We are honoured to be chosen as the Event Partner for the AIBs 2023,” said Cheryl Lai, Chairperson of Radio Taiwan International. “As we commemorate our 95th anniversary, this partnership allows us to showcase the profound impact Rti has had on international broadcasting. We are excited to collaborate with the AIB in recognising the exceptional talent and remarkable stories that shape our industry. Through this platform, we aim to inspire, inform, and foster a greater understanding of the world.”

The AIBs 2023 feature a diverse range of categories, encompassing news, current affairs, documentary, investigative journalism, natural history, and more. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of international judges, ensuring a fair and comprehensive assessment of the submissions.

The partnership between AIB and Rti promises to elevate the AIBs 2023 to new heights, celebrating the power of journalism and the transformative impact of factual productions. Together, they will continue to advance the industry, recognising excellence and promoting the values of truth, accuracy, and impartiality.

AIB launches new Artificial Intelligence vertical

18 May 2023

AIB launches new Artificial Intelligence vertical

Association for International Broadcasting Launches Working Group to Navigate Artificial Intelligence Challenges in TV and Radio Newsrooms Globally

The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB), a leading organisation representing broadcasters worldwide, is pleased to announce the launch of its ground-breaking Working Group dedicated to addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI) in TV and radio newsrooms across the globe.

The AIB has long been at the forefront of fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing within the broadcasting industry, and the creation of this specialised Working Group marks another significant step in its commitment to empowering its member companies with the latest technological advancements. With AI rapidly transforming the media landscape, the AIB recognises the urgent need for broadcasters to comprehend and effectively harness the power of AI in newsrooms to deliver high-quality journalism and enhance audience engagement.

The newly formed Working Group will serve as a platform for industry professionals, technologists, and AI experts to share insights, best practices, and practical guidance, enabling AIB member companies to navigate the complex world of AI. By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, the AIB aims to ensure that its members remain at the cutting edge of AI implementation in newsrooms, while upholding ethical standards and preserving the core principles of journalism.

Key areas of focus for the Working Group will include:

AI-driven content generation: Exploring the use of AI algorithms and machine learning in automating news content creation, from generating scripts to producing video packages, while maintaining journalistic integrity and editorial control.
Audience analytics and personalisation: Understanding how AI-powered analytics can provide broadcasters with valuable audience insights, enabling personalised content recommendations and enhancing the overall viewing and listening experience.
Fact-checking and misinformation: Addressing the role of AI in combating the proliferation of misinformation and fake news, leveraging advanced algorithms and natural language processing to verify and validate news sources.
Ethical considerations: Examining the ethical implications of AI adoption in newsrooms, including bias detection and mitigation, data privacy, and the impact on employment and diversity within the media industry.

The Working Group will be composed of industry leaders, AI experts, and representatives from AIB member companies who are at the forefront of AI integration in newsrooms. Together, they will engage in thought-provoking discussions, collaborative initiatives, and research, ultimately enabling AIB member companies to unlock the full potential of AI technology responsibly and effectively.

Walter Fernandez, Editor in Chief and Chief Sustainability Officer of Singapore’s Mediacorp, and member of the AIB Executive Committee (pictured), has led the work to form this new Working Group: “The issues around AI in newsrooms are significant and fundamental. We are at the earliest stages in understanding how AI can benefit our output and audience, and what the effects will be on our newsrooms. Combining knowledge from all AIB members, and listening to experts in the field, will help us successfully navigate the issues – including ethics – around deploying AI extensively in news operations, while preserving the trust of our audiences.”

Simon Spanswick, CEO of the Association for International Broadcasting, expressed his enthusiasm for the launch of the Working Group: “AI presents both exciting possibilities and significant challenges for broadcasters. With the launch of this Working Group, the AIB is proactively supporting its member organisations by fostering a collaborative environment where we can collectively address the complexities of AI implementation in newsrooms. By working together, we can ensure that the power of AI is harnessed ethically and responsibly, enabling broadcasters to deliver quality journalism while maintaining public trust.”

The AIB invites broadcasters, technology providers, and AI experts to join this Working Group and contribute their expertise to the advancement of AI in the broadcasting industry. Together, they will shape the future of newsrooms and ensure the continued delivery of accurate, relevant, and impactful journalism worldwide.

The AIBs 2023 – 19th global journalism and factual awards open for entry

5 April 2023

The AIBs 2023 – 19th global journalism and factual awards open for entry

Global competition inviting entries across 19 categories to showcase the world’s best journalism and factual productions across TV, radio and digital platforms

The Association for International Broadcasting has revealed the 19 categories in its 19th global competition that celebrates the world’s best journalism and factual programming.

Each year this renowned and respected competition – called the AIBs – attracts entries in many languages from all over the world. In 2022, more than 400 hours of content was submitted to the AIBs.

New for 2023 are two Presenter of the Year awards – one for TV, the other for radio (or their digital equivalents). There is also a new category rewarding the most innovative docudrama.

“The AIBs are immensely popular in the global media industry,” comments Simon Spanswick, AIB chief executive. “We are looking forward to seeing the extraordinary range of stories that are told around the world, helping journalists and programme makers to showcase their work on the global stage. We are privileged that so much remarkable work is entrusted to the AIBs each year and we look forward to celebrating success in our 19^th contest.”

The 19 categories in the AIBs 2023 are:

TV/VIDEO/DIGITAL

PRESENTER of the YEAR
DOCUDRAMA
SHORT FEATURE
NATURAL HISTORY
SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY
SPECIALIST FACTUAL
SPORTS JOURNALISM
HUMAN INTEREST
NEWS COVERAGE
POLITICS and BUSINESS
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS DOCUMENTARY
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS DOCUMENTARY
INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTARY

RADIO/AUDIO/PODCAST

PRESENTER of the YEAR
DOCUDRAMA
SPECIALIST FACTUAL
HUMAN INTEREST
NEWS COVERAGE
INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTARY

The competition is open for entry until 30 June 2023. Full information on all the categories, including what the international panel of judges will be looking for, is online at http://theaibs.tv.

The awards will be presented at the annual AIBs gala evening taking place this year on 10 November at Church House Westminster in the heart of London. The event attracts guests from all over the world who travel to London to meet colleagues, exchange ideas and to discover if they have won one of the coveted AIBs. Highlights of the 2022 event can be seen at https://vimeo.com/792992840/214dea2fb8.

The AIBs are run by the not-for-profit Association for International Broadcasting, the industry body for the international broadcasting and media industry.

Commitments to protect media freedom announced

31 March 2023

Commitments to protect media freedom announced

100+ GOVERNMENTS, CSOs, CORPORATIONS, AND MEDIA GROUPS TO ISSUE COORDINATED COMMITMENTS TO PROTECT MEDIA FREEDOM WORLDWIDE

Media Freedom Cohort creates unprecedented global partnership supporting independent media

Ahead of the Summit for Democracy 2023, more than 100 governments, businesses, and media support organisations are making official commitments to protecting media freedom worldwide.

The commitments are a direct response to a call to action issued by the Media Freedom Cohort – an international coalition chaired by the Governments of Canada and the Netherlands and facilitated by the international NGO Internews. The full list of commitments is available here.

“This is a tremendous achievement for the global movement supporting independent media,” said Internews’ President and CEO Jeanne Bourgault. “At a time when journalists face new threats, local news outlets struggle to stay afloat, and dangerous disinformation campaigns sway public opinion, it’s very encouraging to see an unprecedented number of influential actors come together to protect free, high-quality journalism around the world.”

The commitments provide a concrete roadmap for making progress in the Media Freedom Cohort’s three priority areas: protecting journalists’ safety and security, advancing freedom of expression, and bolstering independent and diverse media. Actors behind the commitments include 27 governments, leading news organizations such as The New York Times and Associated Press, corporations such as Microsoft and WPP, and an array of civil society groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, BBC Media Action, Free Press Unlimited and IREX. Details about each commitment, including metrics and projected timelines, can be found in the Media Freedom Cohort’s Findings Report.

Looking beyond the Summit for Democracy 2023, the work of the Media Freedom Cohort will continue through the Media Freedom Coalition, co-chaired by the Governments of Canada and the Netherlands.

ABOUT THE MEDIA FREEDOM COHORT

In 2021, U.S. President Biden hosted the Summit for Democracy, at which countries from around the world pledged concrete actions to advance democracy at home and abroad. “Democracy’s Year of Action” followed, with governments and civil society groups working together to convene Democracy Cohorts in advance of the second Summit for Democracy in 2023. The second summit will highlight progress against commitments made in the first summit, as well as new commitments to advance democracy by a wider array of stakeholders. These broadened commitments were the focus of the Media Freedom Cohort, co-led by the Governments of Canada, the Netherlands and international NGO Internews. The Association for International Broadcasting is a key member of the Media Freedom Cohort, and is a member of the Consultative Network to the Media Freedom Coalition.

March 2023 global news briefing published by the AIB Secretariat

9 March 2023

March 2023 global news briefing published by the AIB Secretariat

The AIB Secretariat has published the latest of its global media industry briefing, covering news from the Middle East, Europe, North America and Asia.

From new digital storytelling for the Gen Z in the Middle East to hacking of TV and radio stations in Russia, the latest bulletin offers a rapid canter round some of the main media stories in the global media world.