Categories and Criteria
The One World Media Awards include 13 categories, celebrating work from all media platforms and across a wide range of genres. This year, in recognition of changing times, we have introduced the News Award and the Sustainable Development Award.
All entries should be concerned with some aspect of social, political or cultural life in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Middle East or the Post-Soviet States (excluding EU members).
Judges will be particularly interested in media that covers underreported stories from the developing world, or new angles and approaches to more well-reported stories.
Entries must have been broadcast, screened or published in a professional media setting in the UK between 8th February 2011 and 30th January 2012 and must not have been entered for a previous One World Media Award. Entries to the Student Award must have been submitted to their course within the same time period.
1. Journalist of the Year Award
sponsored by
For the television, radio, print or online journalist who has made the most outstanding contribution in this field in the UK during the year.
Judges will be looking for material that:
- combines compelling storytelling with a clear analysis and understanding of the issues and nuances involved and communicates these to the audience in an accessible and intelligible way
- includes the voices and views of people in the developing world
- reveals new stories or fresh approaches on familiar stories
- illustrates the interdependence of today's world and communicates how the actions of the world's rich impact upon the lives of the world's poor and vice versa
- helps increase understanding of different cultures
- draws attention to possible solutions
- makes a demonstrable contribution to human rights or development policy
- demonstrates investigative, journalistic or production skills of the highest level
- appeals to UK audiences
- covers issues related to the 2015 Millennium Development goals, such as health, education and poverty.
Please note that not all of these criteria are required in any single entry.
Entrants must submit a maximum of four pieces of work in any medium - these might be TV or radio reports, print features, online articles or videos, etc. Entrants who work across multiple media platforms are encouraged to apply, as well as journalists working in a single medium.
If submitting radio or TV pieces, the total duration of these pieces must not exceed 30 minutes.
2. Radio Award
For an outstanding report, series of reports or single programme from a series transmitted in the UK.
Judges will be looking for material that:
- combines compelling storytelling with a clear analysis and understanding of the issues and nuances involved and communicates these to the audience in an accessible and intelligible way
- includes the voices and views of people in the developing world
- reveals new stories or fresh approaches on familiar stories
- illustrates the interdependence of today's world and communicates how the actions of the world's rich impact upon the lives of the world's poor and vice versa
- helps increase understanding of different cultures
- draws attention to possible solutions
- makes a demonstrable contribution to human rights or development policy
- demonstrates investigative, journalistic or production skills of the highest level
- appeals to UK audiences
- covers issues related to the 2015 Millennium Development goals, such as health, education and poverty.
Please note that not all of these criteria are required in any single entry.
3. Television Award
For an outstanding report, series of reports or single programme from a series transmitted in the UK, which deals with current events and issues.
Judges will be looking for material that:
- combines compelling storytelling with a clear analysis and understanding of the issues and nuances involved and communicates these to the audience in an accessible and intelligible way
- includes the voices and views of people in the developing world
- reveals new stories or fresh approaches on familiar stories
- illustrates the interdependence of today's world and communicates how the actions of the world's rich impact upon the lives of the world's poor and vice versa
- helps increase understanding of different cultures
- draws attention to possible solutions
- makes a demonstrable contribution to human rights or development policy
- demonstrates investigative, journalistic or production skills of the highest level
- appeals to UK audiences
- covers issues related to the 2015 Millennium Development goals, such as health, education and poverty.
Please note that not all of these criteria are required in any single entry.
4. News Award
For a single news report, in print, broadcast or online media, which has had great impact in increasing UK audiences' understanding of the developing world.
Judges will be looking for material that:
- combines compelling storytelling with a clear analysis and understanding of the issues and nuances involved and communicates these to the audience in an accessible and intelligible way
- includes the voices and views of people in the developing world
- reveals new stories or fresh approaches on familiar stories
- illustrates the interdependence of today's world and communicates how the actions of the world's rich impact upon the lives of the world's poor and vice versa
- helps increase understanding of different cultures
- draws attention to possible solutions
- makes a demonstrable contribution to human rights or development policy
- demonstrates investigative, journalistic or production skills of the highest level
- appeals to UK audiences
- covers issues related to the 2015 Millennium Development goals, such as health, education and poverty.
Please note that not all of these criteria are required in any single entry.
5. Press Award
For an outstanding article with arresting and revealing writing in the UK print media, including specialist features such as sport, music, women's interest, food and health.
Judges will be looking for material that:
- combines compelling storytelling with a clear analysis and understanding of the issues and nuances involved and communicates these to the audience in an accessible and intelligible way
- includes the voices and views of people in the developing world
- reveals new stories or fresh approaches on familiar stories
- illustrates the interdependence of today's world and communicates how the actions of the world's rich impact upon the lives of the world's poor and vice versa
- helps increase understanding of different cultures
- draws attention to possible solutions
- makes a demonstrable contribution to human rights or development policy
- demonstrates investigative, journalistic or production skills of the highest level
- appeals to UK audiences
- covers issues related to the 2015 Millennium Development goals, such as health, education and poverty.
Please note that not all of these criteria are required in any single entry.
Judges will consider one feature article per entry. If the article is from a series, please use the synopsis to describe the series.
The Journalist of the Year category is open to journalists wishing to submit more than one piece together.
6. New Media Award
Sponsored by
For websites that use creative and innovative techniques to extend knowledge and understanding of, and engagement with, the developing world.
Judges will be looking for material that:
- combines compelling storytelling with a clear analysis and understanding of the issues and nuances involved and communicates these to the audience in an accessible and intelligible way
- includes the voices and views of people in the developing world
- reveals new stories or fresh approaches on familiar stories
- illustrates the interdependence of today's world and communicates how the actions of the world's rich impact upon the lives of the world's poor and vice versa
- helps increase understanding of different cultures
- draws attention to possible solutions
- makes a demonstrable contribution to human rights or development policy
- demonstrates investigative, journalistic or production skills of the highest level
- appeals to UK audiences
- covers issues related to the 2015 Millennium Development goals, such as health, education and poverty.
Please note that not all of these criteria are required in any single entry.
Online news reports and feature articles should not be entered here, but into another appropriate category.
7. Drama Award
For feature films and television or radio dramas that include characters and stories from the global south. Entries must have been broadcast or screened theatrically in the UK.
Judges will be looking for material that:
- combines compelling storytelling with a clear analysis and understanding of the issues and nuances involved and communicates these to the audience in an accessible and intelligible way
- includes the voices and views of people in the developing world
- reveals new stories or fresh approaches on familiar stories
- illustrates the interdependence of today's world and communicates how the actions of the world's rich impact upon the lives of the world's poor and vice versa
- helps increase understanding of different cultures
- draws attention to possible solutions
- makes a demonstrable contribution to human rights or development policy
- demonstrates investigative, journalistic or production skills of the highest level
- appeals to UK audiences
- covers issues related to the 2015 Millennium Development goals, such as health, education and poverty.
Please note that not all of these criteria are required in any single entry.
8. Popular Features Award
For broadcast and print media in the UK that offers fresh perspectives of the developing world through creative treatment of a subject or issue, attracting new and/or extended audiences.
Judges will be looking for material that:
- combines compelling storytelling with a clear analysis and understanding of the issues and nuances involved and communicates these to the audience in an accessible and intelligible way
- includes the voices and views of people in the developing world
- reveals new stories or fresh approaches on familiar stories
- illustrates the interdependence of today's world and communicates how the actions of the world's rich impact upon the lives of the world's poor and vice versa
- helps increase understanding of different cultures
- draws attention to possible solutions
- makes a demonstrable contribution to human rights or development policy
- demonstrates investigative, journalistic or production skills of the highest level
- appeals to UK audiences
- covers issues related to the 2015 Millennium Development goals, such as health, education and poverty.
Please note that not all of these criteria are required in any single entry.
9. Children's Rights Award
For outstanding broadcast and print media made about, for, or by, children, which advances the rights of children worldwide and includes the perspectives of young people in a compelling and imaginative way.
Judges will be looking for material that:
- combines compelling storytelling with a clear analysis and understanding of the issues and nuances involved and communicates these to the audience in an accessible and intelligible way
- includes the voices and views of people in the developing world
- reveals new stories or fresh approaches on familiar stories
- illustrates the interdependence of today's world and communicates how the actions of the world's rich impact upon the lives of the world's poor and vice versa
- helps increase understanding of different cultures
- draws attention to possible solutions
- makes a demonstrable contribution to human rights or development policy
- demonstrates investigative, journalistic or production skills of the highest level
- appeals to UK audiences
- covers issues related to the 2015 Millennium Development goals, such as health, education and poverty.
Please note that not all of these criteria are required in any single entry.
10. Sustainable Development Award
sponsored by
For outstanding print, broadcast and online media that addresses the progress or challenges in achieving sustainable development, including environmental, health, social, economic and educational concerns, particularly in relation to the 2015 Millennium Development Goals.
Judges will be looking for material that:
- combines compelling storytelling with a clear analysis and understanding of the issues and nuances involved and communicates these to the audience in an accessible and intelligible way
- includes the voices and views of people in the developing world
- reveals new stories or fresh approaches on familiar stories
- illustrates the interdependence of today's world and communicates how the actions of the world's rich impact upon the lives of the world's poor and vice versa
- helps increase understanding of different cultures
- draws attention to possible solutions
- makes a demonstrable contribution to human rights or development policy
- demonstrates investigative, journalistic or production skills of the highest level
- appeals to UK audiences
- covers issues related to the 2015 Millennium Development goals, such as health, education and poverty.
Please note that not all of these criteria are required in any single entry.
11. Documentary Award
sponsored by
For the highest standard of documentary that has been broadcast or screened at festivals or theatrically in the UK.
Judges will be looking for material that:
- combines compelling storytelling with a clear analysis and understanding of the issues and nuances involved and communicates these to the audience in an accessible and intelligible way
- includes the voices and views of people in the developing world
- reveals new stories or fresh approaches on familiar stories
- illustrates the interdependence of today's world and communicates how the actions of the world's rich impact upon the lives of the world's poor and vice versa
- helps increase understanding of different cultures
- draws attention to possible solutions
- makes a demonstrable contribution to human rights or development policy
- demonstrates investigative, journalistic or production skills of the highest level
- appeals to UK audiences
- covers issues related to the 2015 Millennium Development goals, such as health, education and poverty.
Please note that not all of these criteria are required in any single entry.
12. Student Award
For a piece of work made by a student as part of a media, journalism or documentary filmmaking course at a UK university or film school. The university or film school does not have to be part of the One World Media Student Programme.
Judges will be looking for material that:
- combines compelling storytelling with a clear analysis and understanding of the issues and nuances involved and communicates these to the audience in an accessible and intelligible way
- includes the voices and views of people in the developing world
- reveals new stories or fresh approaches on familiar stories
- illustrates the interdependence of today's world and communicates how the actions of the world's rich impact upon the lives of the world's poor and vice versa
- helps increase understanding of different cultures
- draws attention to possible solutions
- makes a demonstrable contribution to human rights or development policy
- demonstrates investigative, journalistic or production skills of the highest level
- appeals to UK audiences
- covers issues related to the 2015 Millennium Development goals, such as health, education and poverty.
Please note that not all of these criteria are required in any single entry.
The work entered must have been produced within the qualifying period for entries (see top of page for dates) and must be the same work that was submitted to the course - not a re-edited or updated version.
13. Special Award
For an outstanding project working on the ground in the developing world where media activity has made a real impact on people's lives. The purpose of the award is to demonstrate the value of media in progressing development and human rights.
The award is for local radio/TV initiatives (including a specific programme or channel, or a network of stations), print media or new media working in the developing world addressing social or developmental issues. Advocacy media initiatives working at a grass roots level involving staff from the local area are also eligible to enter.
For details on how to enter the Special Award, please click here.
The jury will give greater consideration to projects with a wider reach and a greater impact. It is also interested to consider new and innovative ways of reaching a wider audience, while making sure that local views and voices are incorporated.
The project must have evidence of lasting beneficial impacts on the local community and, where applicable, how it’s made an impression on public opinion or government policy. If possible, please indicate the enduring success of the project.
The jury would like to see some evidence of sustainability, i.e. national/local commitment to financial support for the longer term.
The Award will be judged by the Trustees of One World Media.
There is no entry fee for this category.
Click here to see the 2011 winners >