South African presenter Ayanda Charlie to host the AIBs 2025

Ayanda Charlie to host 21st annual journalism awards in London

Winner of the AIBs 2024 Emerging Talent award will lead global celebration of journalism and factual storytelling

The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) is delighted to announce that Ayanda Charlie, South Africa-based freelance multimedia producer and presenter, will host the 21st annual AIBs, the international awards celebrating journalism and factual productions across video, audio and digital platforms.

The AIBs gala will take place in London on 14 November 2025 at the Park Hyatt London River Thames, welcoming journalists, editors, producers, directors and media executives from across the globe to honour the very best in international factual storytelling.

Ayanda Charlie is best known for her work with BBC Africa Eye, including Fear And Loathing in South Africa, a powerful investigation into the xenophobic group Operation Dudula. She is the winner of the AIB Emerging Talent Award in 2024 and a 2022 Open Society Foundations Investigative Journalism Fellow, establishing her as one of the most dynamic and courageous voices in investigative journalism today.

Ayanda Charlie said:
“I am absolutely delighted to be invited to host the AIBs in 2025, especially after winning the Emerging Talent award last year. The AIBs shine a vital spotlight on the power of journalism and the importance of reporting facts with integrity – something that is urgently needed, particularly across my home continent of Africa where courageous reporting can change lives. It is also deeply meaningful to me, as a woman in journalism, to stand on this stage and celebrate the outstanding work of colleagues around the world who are holding power to account and telling the stories that matter.”

Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive of the AIB, said:
“We are thrilled that Ayanda Charlie will be hosting the AIBs 2025. Ayanda embodies the values of fearless, independent journalism that the AIBs were created to celebrate. Her work with BBC Africa Eye has highlighted critical issues with integrity and bravery, and her voice will add an inspiring and compelling presence to this year’s awards gala in London.”

The AIBs 2025 will showcase entries from across the world, recognising the creativity, determination and impact of journalists and producers who bring factual stories to audiences on television, radio, podcasts and digital platforms.

For more information about the AIBs, visit www.theaibs.tv.