AIBs 2026 shortlist showcases outstanding work from 22 countries

16 September 2026

AIBs 2026 shortlist showcases outstanding work from 22 countries

The Association for International Broadcasting has announced the shortlist for the AIBs 2026, its 22nd annual international awards celebrating excellence in journalism and factual production.

This year’s shortlist brings together outstanding work from more than 70 broadcasters and production companies in 22 countries. It reflects the remarkable range of journalism and factual storytelling being produced around the world – from major investigations, breaking news and international affairs to arts, culture, health, and sustainability as well as innovative formats.

The shortlisted entries span video, audio and digital platforms and include work from established international broadcasters, national media organisations, independent production companies and emerging creative teams.

The work will now be considered by an independent international panel of more than 60 judges drawn from across the media industry. The judges will determine the winner and, where appropriate, highly commended entry in each category.

Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the Association for International Broadcasting, said:

“The 2026 shortlist demonstrates the extraordinary quality, range and ambition of journalism and factual production that is being created around the world, at a time when clear, unbiased information is needed more than ever by audiences globally.

“Securing a place on the shortlist is a significant achievement. The standard of entries was exceptionally high, and the work represented here reflects the determination of programme-makers and journalists to inform, investigate and tell important stories – often in extremely challenging circumstances.

“We congratulate every broadcaster, production company and individual represented in this year’s shortlist.”

The AIBs Gala

The winners will be announced at the AIBs Gala on Friday 20 November 2026 at the Park Hyatt London River Thames.

Hosted by Maria Ramos of TRT World, the gala will bring together shortlisted teams, judges and colleagues from broadcasters, production companies and media organisations around the world.

As well as celebrating the year’s outstanding journalism and factual productions, the gala is a remarkable opportunity to meet and exchange views with programme-makers, editors, producers and media executives from across the globe. The reception, dinner and post-awards gathering provide extensive opportunities to renew existing relationships, make new connections and begin conversations that can lead to future collaborations and co-productions.

Shure is the Exclusive Event Partner for the AIBs 2026, supporting the awards and their role in recognising excellence and sharing knowledge and best practice across the international media industry.

Radio Taiwan International – Rti – is the Broadcast Partner for the AIBs 2026, continuing its valued association with the awards and their global community.

View the complete AIBs 2026 shortlist and book individual places or tables for the gala at www.theaibs.tv.

Places are limited, and early booking is recommended.

Ali Jaber Transitions from Executive Leadership to Advisory Role at MBC GROUP

9 September 2026

Ali Jaber Transitions from Executive Leadership to Advisory Role at MBC GROUP

MBC GROUP, the premier media and entertainment conglomerate in the Middle East and North Africa, today announced that Ali Jaber will transition from his executive role as Chief Content Officer to an advisory capacity – continuing to support the Group on strategic priorities and industry matters, while ensuring business continuity.

The transition marks a new chapter in Jaber’s association with MBC GROUP, following 15 years of business leadership and contribution to the growth of the Middle East’s media and entertainment industry, including sector development and talent building.

In acknowledging Jaber’s transition, MBC GROUP Chairman Waleed Al-Ibrahim paid tribute to his longstanding contribution to the Group, highlighting his ability to identify and nurture talent – from his role as a lead judge on “Arabs Got Talent”, to his academic credentials – as well as his deep industry expertise, global IP adoption and culturally relevant productions, coupled with dedicated service and media leadership over the years.

On behalf of the wider MBC senior management team, MBC GROUP CEO Mike Sneesby joined Al-Ibrahim in wishing Jaber every success, as he embarks on the next chapter of his professional journey.

Jaber expressed his gratitude to MBC GROUP’s Chairman Waleed Al-Ibrahim for his steadfast support, and thanked the Group’s CEO, senior management, colleagues and business partners for their trust, confidence and collaboration.

“Together, we shaped the glory days of media and entertainment in the Middle East. I am proud of what we achieved, the people we worked with, and the many talented individuals whose journeys we were privileged to be part of,” said Ali Jaber.

Looking ahead, Jaber said the time was right to evolve his role: “It’s time for me to transition from an executive to an advisory role – thus placing greater focus on my purpose and fulfillment, while still supporting the Group on strategic priorities and business continuity.”

Jaber concluded: “My quest now is to contribute more broadly to society, with a focus on life betterment and doing good, while continuing to contribute to the development of the media sector, at a macro level. After so many years in the industry, I believe there is an opportunity to put that experience, perspective and network to work in different ways.”

Ali Jaber’s transition is an integral part of the significant transformation happening across the global media and entertainment industry, as traditional business models, technology, content, IP, audiences and new forms of storytelling continue to converge.

[Source: MBC press release]

NHK WORLD-JAPAN focus in September: Aichi

31 August 2026

NHK WORLD-JAPAN focus in September: Aichi

Travelling the Seasons of Japan

Aichi Prefecture September 20 Sun. 5:10/11:10/17:10/22:10 (UTC) Journey through Aichi’s changing seasons with stunning footage filmed over a year, featuring cormorant fishing, all-night festivals, free-diving harvests, and the people preserving local traditions.
Game Genome September 13 Sun. 1:10/7:10/13:10/19:10 (UTC) MOTHER 2 (EarthBound) MOTHER 2 is a classic RPG known internationally as EarthBound.Its creator, Itoi Shigesato, joins longtime fans to discuss how the game was made, revealing secrets behind its lasting popularity.
Dining with the Chef Tuesdays 1:30 /6:30/12:30 /17:30/22:30 (UTC) Traditional techniques and resourceful recipes! Chefs Saito and Rika, present their unique approaches to cooking delicious Japanese food.

BBC announces Lagos to host the Trust is Earned disinformation forum

18 August 2026

BBC announces Lagos to host the Trust is Earned disinformation forum

The BBC World Service will host ‘Trust is Earned’ – a day-long disinformation forum – in Lagos on 3 September 2026. The day will include a live BBC programme recording, an exclusive film screening, panel discussions, workshops and live demonstrations.

Bringing together journalists, educators, content creators and technology experts at the University of Lagos, we’ll explore how disinformation operates, how the BBC deconstructs it and the increasing involvement of AI in its formation.

As part of the Trust is Earned forum, there will be a special recording of BBC World Questions at the University of Lagos. Jonny Dymond will chair a panel of leading businesspeople, activists, influencers, and journalists – who will take questions from the audience. The panel will debate issues around disinformation, fake news, trust in politics and the upcoming Nigerian elections.

Elsewhere, the day will include:

An exclusive preview of the latest documentary from the award-winning BBC Eye investigations team
Panel discussions on the influence of AI on democracy, and the threats posed by disinformation as propaganda
Workshops on how the BBC uses open-source intelligence (OSINT) in its investigative journalism
A session on identifying disinformation and how to navigate it

The forum reflects the BBC World Service’s commitment to combatting disinformation, supporting media literacy and helping people critically assess the information they encounter daily.

Fiona Crack, Interim Global Director, BBC News, says: “Disinformation is the biggest challenge facing journalism in our time and it has the power to confuse, conflate and in the extreme, cause conflict. Not only must the BBC be the number one source of trusted news, we must also empower audiences to identify and navigate disinformation in their everyday lives. The Trust is Earned forum will give those attending the critical tools they need, and it will showcase the skills of our teams who counter disinformation through their journalism.”

BBC World Service: Trust is Earned – Lagos, 2026 takes place on Thursday 3 September August at the University of Lagos.

Refreshments will be provided for attendees. Free tickets for Trust is Earned sessions and for the special recording of World Questions are available on the BBC Shows and Tours website. Tickets are limited.

Trust is Earned: Lagos 2026 is the second forum to take place this year. Trust is Earned: Sao Paulo will be held in August.

AfroCinema Launches on Freeview UK via Channelbox

18 August 2026

AfroCinema Launches on Freeview UK via Channelbox

AfroCinema, the home of African cinema, has launched on the streaming TV service Channelbox, available on Freeview channel 271.

AfroCinema is a dedicated 24-hour movie channel celebrating the best of African film — from the vibrant world of Nollywood, the second largest film industry in the world, to award-winning productions from across the continent. The channel offers viewers a compelling mix of epic dramas, romantic stories, action films, comedies, and royal movies, showcasing the extraordinary storytelling talent emerging from Africa and its diaspora.

Channelbox is a free-to-air, multi-channel OTT platform available on connected Freeview channel 271 and through Channelbox-enabled television sets connected to both an aerial and the internet. The platform offers a unique interface that delivers each channel as the equivalent of a dedicated Freeview service and supports FAST channel monetisation across more than 70 channels, bringing a broad range of content to UK audiences.

AfroCinema’s programming spans the full breadth of African cinema — from Nollywood blockbusters and South African dramas to independent gems and diaspora films that reflect the rich diversity of African storytelling. With African filmmakers now competing at major international festivals and African cinema enjoying unprecedented global momentum in 2026, the channel arrives at a pivotal moment for the genre.

Tanya Kronfli, Head of Business Development at Channelbox, commented: “Channelbox is committed to celebrating diversity in genre, culture and language. We are delighted to welcome AfroCinema to our platform. Their rich selection of African films enhances our Freeview offering and strengthens our connection with multicultural audiences across the UK.”

Raufu Onigbogi, Chief Executive Officer at AfroCinema, commented: “We are delighted to launch on Channelbox and to reach UK audiences through such a well-established platform. This is an exciting milestone for us, and we look forward to sharing the very best of African cinema with viewers across the country.”

AfroCinema is now live on Channelbox and available to viewers across the UK on Freeview channel 271.

Shure Named Exclusive Event Partner for the AIBs 2026

4 August 2026

Shure Named Exclusive Event Partner for the AIBs 2026

Partnership reflects a shared commitment to empowering media voices and advancing exceptional storytelling

The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) is delighted to announce that Shure has become the Exclusive Event Partner for the AIBs 2026, the 22nd annual international awards for journalism and factual productions.

The partnership brings together one of the world’s most respected audio technology companies with one of the media industry’s most prestigious international competitions, reinforcing the vital role that audio plays in compelling storytelling across television, radio, podcasting and digital platforms.

The AIBs recognise excellence in journalism and factual production from around the world, with entries welcomed in all languages and from organisations of every size. Judged by an international panel of senior editors, producers, commissioners and media executives, the AIBs have become recognised as the global barometer of journalism and factual storytelling.

As the Exclusive Event Partner, Shure will work closely with the AIB throughout the year to support initiatives that bring together journalists, programme makers and production professionals from around the world. A key element of the partnership will be the AIB-Shure Masterclasses designed to share knowledge, expertise and best practices among content creators working across multiple platforms and genres.

This partnership reflects two organisations collaborating and strengthening connections between programme makers, journalists and the technology providers that enable high-quality storytelling.

Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the AIB, said:

“Shure is a company whose reputation for excellence is recognised throughout the global media industry. Sound is fundamental to effective storytelling, whether in radio, podcasts, television, documentary filmmaking or digital content. We are therefore delighted to welcome Shure as Event Partner for the AIBs 2026.

“Beyond supporting the awards themselves, this partnership will create valuable opportunities for journalists and programme makers to learn from one another, exchange ideas and develop new skills through a programme of masterclasses and collaborative activities. We look forward to working closely with the Shure team over the coming months.”

Peter James, Vice President Global Business Development, Shure, said:

“At Shure, we believe that great journalism and factual storytelling help people betterconnect with the world around them. The AIBs celebrate the very best work being produced across the globe, making them a natural fit for Shure’s commitment to supporting broadcasters, content creators and media professionals.”

“Audio is at the heart of every great story. Whether audiences are listening to a podcast, watching a documentary or following breaking news coverage, high-quality sound plays a critical role in creating engagement, understanding and trust. Through this partnership, we look forward to highlighting the importance of audio excellence and supporting the next generation of storytellers.”

The winners of the AIBs 2026 will be announced at a gala awards ceremony in London on 20 November 2026, bringing together journalists, producers, commissioners, editors and media executives from around the world.

Further information can be found at the AIBs website, www.theaibs.tv.