AIBs 2021 – closing date extended

1 July 2021

AIBs 2021 – closing date extended

By popular request, we’re extending the deadline for entering the AIBs 2021, the 17th annual competition celebrating the best journalism and factual productions across TV, radio and digital platforms. Entries will now be accepted until 23 July.
Full information on how to enter is at http://theaibs.tv.
Join colleagues from New Zealand to the Philippines, Singapore to Turkey, the USA to Argentina who are showcasing their work in this truly international competition.
It doesn’t matter what language your work is in – it’s welcome (we’ve had Welsh-language programmes entered for the first time this year, alongside Arabic, Burmese, Spanish, Mandarin, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Japanese, Bangla and more).
Full information is online at http://theaibs.tv.

AIB launches search for outstanding coverage of media freedom

6 May 2021

AIB launches search for outstanding coverage of media freedom

New award category for the best media freedom coverage added to the AIBs

The Association for International Broadcasting has launched a new award category for its 17^th annual competition for journalism and factual productions, the AIBs. The AIB Media Freedom Award complements the Association’s media freedom initiatives that supports its members around the world.

The ground-breaking award will recognise the TV or radio broadcaster or digital media house that has actively covered, promoted and protected media freedom. The prize may go to the organisation that has developed a special strand of programming around media freedom, or it could be awarded to a company that has stood up to attacks against it through intimidation of staff or by means of illegal “judicial dragnets”, for example.

“This Media Freedom Award is an important development in the work of the Association for International Broadcasting in this vital subject,” says Tom Wragg who represents the AIB on the consultative network to the inter-governmental Media Freedom Coalition. “The AIB is committed to helping its members, as well as all journalists at risk, raise awareness of issues around media freedom. The AIB supports them in engaging audiences and helping them to understand the vital need for media freedom in all parts of the world. This award will celebrate the organisation that’s making a substantial mark in this area and encouraging others to add to their coverage of media freedom issues.”

The constant and growing number of attacks on news organisations that seek to hold power to account are designed to have a chilling effect on journalism. This new award provides a focus on those telling stories about upholding media freedom across the world.

The AIB Media Freedom Award is one of 21 categories in the AIBs 2021 that reward journalism and factual productions across TV, radio and digital platforms. The AIBs are open to work in any language and produced anywhere in the world. The judging panel is made up of experts from across the media industry worldwide, from Oceania, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

Past winners of the AIBs include ABS-CBN, CNN, Al Jazeera, RTHK, BBC World Service, VoA, RFA, RFE/RL, ABC, DW, STV, CBC, Mediacorp, eTV and many other broadcasters and production companies. Full information about the AIBs 2021 is online at www.theaibs.tv. The winners of all the AIBs 2021 will be announced in November.

Winners of the AIBs 2020 announced

18 November 2020

Winners of the AIBs 2020 announced

Two-part programme showcases all finalists and reveals winners of the AIBs 2020

The Association for International Broadcasting has revealed the winners of its international competition for journalism and factual productions across TV, radio and digital platforms.

Over two programmes, clips from all shortlisted entries were showcased to a global audience. The programmes were hosted by Kim Vinnell, presenter on Al Jazeera English.

“We wanted to make sure that the work that entrants entrusted us with was showcased as effectively as we do in our traditional live event,” says Clare Dance, producer and coordinator of the AIBs. “We had to overcome many challenges as with finalists from all over the world, we could not possibly expect nominees to stay up all night to take part. Instead, we devised questions to all 120+ finalists asking about particular aspects of their production or journalism. Then we used these ‘as live’ in our show. None of the entrants knew in advance whether they’d won, as we were determined to keep the sense of anticipation alive.”

The two programmes – which can be seen on the AIBs website (www.theaibs.tv) – followed the format that the competition has established over the past 16 years. They included signature segments, including the “in conversation” element.

Winners include:

AFP

Al Jazeera Digital

Al Jazeera English

BBC Northern Ireland

BBC Radio 4

BBC World Service

Channel 4

CNA, MediaCorp

CNN

Deutsche Welle

ITN Productions

New Normal Culture

Perfect Storm Productions

Sky News StoryCast

TBI Media

Tortoise Media

VRT

Wild Pacific Media

Full information on all winners and highly commended nominees is in the AIBs Winners and Finalists book, available online.

The two-part programme can be seen at theaibs.tv.

The AIBs 2020 event partner is Al Jazeera Media Network.

The sponsor of the Natural World and Science & Technology Awards is Radio Taiwan International.

Shortlist for the AIBs 2020 published

24 September 2020

Shortlist for the AIBs 2020 published

Journalism and factual programmes from 18 countries shortlisted in the AIBs 2020

Work from 49 broadcasters and production companies selected to be judged by international panel of experts in 21 countries

London | 24 September 2020

The Association for International Broadcasting has announced the shortlist for its annual competition that celebrates journalism and factual productions on television, radio and digital platforms. Each year since 2005, the work of journalists and producers around the world has been recognised in this global competition and in 2020, the AIBs have attracted as wide a range of entries as ever.

“We thought long and hard about whether it was appropriate to hold our 16^th annual competition in 2020,” says Simon Spanswick, AIB chief executive. “The conclusion we reached, and one that is shared by the international broadcasting and production community, is that it’s even more important that the work of those bringing the most important stories into our homes, to our radios or to our mobile devices is recognised this year. Understandably, there were many submissions focusing on coronavirus. But many other subjects were covered as well, demonstrating the outstanding range of work that is produced every day to keep the public informed wherever they are in the world.”

The stories entered in this year’s AIBs are diverse, from coverage of the Australian bush fires to the celebration of Beethoven’s ninth symphony, corruption in Africa’s university system to the Hong Kong pro-democracy demonstrations, talk shows in Syrian refugee camps to the real price of your cup of coffee.

There are 20 categories in the AIBs 2020, including:

TV and video categories

Arts and culture
Human interest
Natural world
Science and technology
Domestic affairs documentary
International affairs documentary
Investigative documentary
Politics and business
Short documentary
Single news report
Continuing news reporting

Radio and audio categories

Arts and culture
Human interest
Investigative documentary
News reporting
Factual podcast

Specialist categories

Channel of the year
News agency of the year
Young journalist
Impact

“We are honoured that so many broadcasters and production companies have chosen to showcase their output in the AIBs in this difficult year,” continues Simon Spanswick. “Our judges now have the extremely hard job of selecting which of the shortlisted work is the very best in each category and my colleagues and I wish the judging panel good luck as they evaluate the entries. Of course, I also wish all the nominees the very best of luck in this final stage of the competition.”

The results of the AIBs 2020 will be announced in a two-part programme that will be released on 13 and 16 November. The Association for International Broadcasting is currently working with event partner Al Jazeera Media Network to devise our virtual awards show that will maintain the depth and breadth of our traditional live event, and that showcases all the shortlisted entries. As usual, the absolute secrecy that surrounds who has won will be maintained until the special awards programme is released.

“Like everyone, the AIBs have had to adapt to cope with the very different environment we find ourselves in,” says Simon Spanswick. “We fervently hope that in 2021, we will return to our time-honoured live event that draws together the international media industry for an evening of celebration. Until then, we’re working to deliver the very best virtual awards for all our entrants and observers.”

The complete shortlist is available online at https://theaibs.tv/AIBs-2020/shortlist-2020/AIBs-Shortlist-2020-3.pdf and a copy appears from page 4 of this release. Highlights of the AIBs 2019 can be seen at https://vimeo.com/383583268/c425f5b9fe.

Voyager Media Awards Recognise RNZ Journalism

22 May 2020

Voyager Media Awards Recognise RNZ Journalism

RNZ excellence in journalism has been recognised at the prestigious Voyager Media Awards announced on 22 May 2020. The annual awards celebrate the very best in print, digital and broadcast journalism on all media platforms across New Zealand.

RNZ journalists have won an unprecedented seven Voyager awards and have received judging commendations as runners-up in two categories.

Guyon Espiner has won the coveted Reporter of the Year Award, with judges noting that he broke one of the biggest political stories of the year and demonstrated a strong commitment to reporting issues of public importance. Espiner’s Voyager award follows his recognition last week as Best News Journalist at the New Zealand Radio Awards.

RNZ podcasts have dominated in Voyager digital categories winning two awards. The RNZ / Stuff production, White Silence, has won Best Narrative Podcast – also backing up from a double success at last week’s New Zealand Radio Awards, and the Voyager award for Best Episodic Podcast is He Kakano Ahau, a collaboration with Ursula Grace Films.

Aaron Smale (Ngāti Porou), is the Voyager Feature Writer of the Year for his longform, hard-hitting, journalism addressing the impact of inequality on Māori. Judges said his work is deeply moving and beautifully written.

Te Aniwa Hurihanganui (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tuhourangi, Ngāti Tuwharetoa) receives the Te Tohu Kairangi trophy for Best Reporting – Māori Affairs. She was the inaugural recipient of the Henare te Ua Māori Journalism Internship established in 2017 by Radio New Zealand to support Te reo Māori and foster Māori journalism.

RNZ’s Logan Church won Best Junior Reporter for his insightful and compelling live radio cross in the aftermath of the Christchurch terrorist attack, with judges saying he displayed skills beyond his years.

In video journalism, Luke McPake was recognised as Best Feature or Current Affairs Video Journalist for Death Bed: The Story of Kelly Savage, which was described as captivating, powerful and creative storytelling.

Judging commendations as runners-up have been received by Phil Pennington in the individual Reporter of the Year category and the RNZ team for its investigation of the eviction of Tamaki state house tenants.

RNZ CEO Paul Thompson (pictured) congratulated all RNZ winners and finalists.

“These awards showcase excellence in New Zealand news and current affairs and I am proud to see our staff recognised as finalists and winners for their brilliant work – among such outstanding contenders. RNZ is committed to high quality, independent, and credible journalism and we value the opportunity to celebrate the industry with colleagues who represent the very best in New Zealand”

RNZ Voyager Media Award Winners for 2020:

Reporting

Guyon Espiner – Reporter of the Year

Te Aniwa Hurihanganui – Best Reporting – Māori Affairs

Logan Church – Best Reporter – Junior

Feature Writing

Aaron Smale, Feature Writer of the Year – Long Form

Video Journalism and Broadcasting–

Luke McPake, Best Feature of Current Affairs Video – Single Journalist

Digital

White Silence (RNZ/Stuff), Best Narrative Podcast

He Kakano Ahau (RNZ/Ursula Grace Films) Best Episodic Podcast

RNZ Runners-up are:

Phil Pennington – Runner-up Reporter of the Year RNZ- Runner-up Best Team Investigation

A full list of the 2020 Voyager Media Awards can be found here:

https://voyagermediaawards.nz/winners2020