The Association for International Broadcasting announced the winners of its annual awards, the AIBs, at a glittering awards dinner in London on Nov. 11. The AIBs reward the best international journalism and factual productions across TV, radio and digital platforms. Over 400 hours of content were submitted to the 2023 competition, and 50 judges worldwide evaluated the shortlist.
Guests from countries as diverse as South Korea, Norway, Canada, Germany, South Africa, the UAE, Taiwan, France and the United Kingdom joined the celebration at Church House Westminster, right alongside Westminster Abbey. The evening’s host was veteran journalist and news anchor Simon McCoy.
Opening the evening, AIB chief executive Simon Spanswick said, “This competition is needed more than ever, as we face a world in increasing chaos and danger. In many areas, that chaos and danger threaten media freedom and the ability of journalists to hold power to account. That’s why journalists and producers need to shout about their work and remind everyone about the importance of journalism and the need to bring stories to global audiences.”
Guests at the awards night saw and heard clips from all the shortlisted entries.
The awards within the radio, audio and podcast categories were:
News Coverage
Winner — “Partygate: The Inside Story,” ITV News.
Highly commended — The Death and Funeral of HM The Queen, BBC News Content for BBC News.
Specialist Factual
Winner — “Shock and War: Iraq 20 Years On,” BBC Long Form Audio.
Highly commended — “Finding Samantha,” RTÉ.
Highly commended — “First Eat with Nakkiah Lui,” Pipi Films for Audible Australia.
Investigative Documentary
Winner — “The Shamima Begum Story,” BBC News Long Form Audio.
Highly commended — “The Sound: Mystery of Havana Syndrome,” Project Brazen/Goat Rodeo.
Human Interest
Winner — “Love, Janessa,” BBC World Service and CBC Podcasts by Antica Productions and Telltale Industries.
Highly Commended — “This Coal Life,” Radio Workshop NPC.
Docudrama
Winner — “Before-After: Anna Lindh 2003,” Swedish Radio Drama.
Presenter of the Year
Winner — Nicky Woolf.