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The One World Media Awards 2024 celebrate underreported stories from around the world

Across 15 categories, the awards celebrate and recognise the best media coverage of the global south; stories that break through stereotypes, change the narrative and connect people across cultures.

The Awards champion stories that demonstrate originality, creativity, and the potential to catalyse change. All entries must highlight underreported stories or issues, or explore new angles on familiar topics.

We are particularly looking at how a story is told: Does it amplify lesser heard voices? Does the story inspire change? Does it challenge misconceptions or stereotypes?

KEY DATES

  • Open for entries: 4 January 2024
  • Close for entries: 8 February 2024
  • Longlist announced: 27 March 2024
  • Shortlist announced: 2 May 2024
  • Awards day: 26 June 2024

USEFUL RESOURCES

Eligibility

All entries should focus on stories, topics or issues in, about or related to low- and middle-income countries across the global south. This includes countries across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Middle East, Russia or the Post-Soviet States. Jurors will be looking for media that covers underreported stories or new angles and approaches to more familiar stories.

*There is a fee to enter the Awards except the Special Award category, which is free. But discounts are available:
Each entry is:
  • £165 standard fee (organisations)
  • £40 for freelancers
  • £25 for students

Entries must have had their first screening, broadcast, theatrical release, launch or publication between 11 February 2023 and 9 February 2024.

With the exception of the Special Award and Student Award, all categories are open to entrants anywhere in the world, as long as the work meets one of the following criteria:

  • the entry has been broadcast, screened or published (in print or in an established online publication/website) in the UK; OR
  • the entry has been broadcast or published (in an established print/online publication/website) internationally and is available for an English-speaking audience; OR
  • the entry has been screened at an international film festival

Selection Criteria

Entries will be evaluated based on the overall merit of the piece, with an emphasis on:

Relevance, originality and creativity of the coverage
Highlights underreported stories or issues
Explores new angles on familiar topics
Challenges misperceptions and/or stereotypes of the global south

Substance and accuracy of the coverage
Depth of research and analysis
Accurate and balanced reporting that highlights the voices and perspectives of people in and from the global south

Impact and reach of the coverage
Demonstrates the actual impact or potential for the coverage to catalyse change
May have prompted additional media coverage or policy change
Consideration may be given to the total audience reached

Diversity
Entries need to demonstrate a commitment to diversity and representation in areas, such as: subject representation, themes and narratives, project team, industry access and opportunities for diversity in audience development.

Quality of the coverage
Well-crafted, structured and engaging
High production and editorial values
Distils and presents complex topics to the target audience in an understandable and accessible way

Category Criteria

Innovative Storytelling Award (formerly the Digital Media Award)
For innovative screen based media that covers a story or topic from the global south. The Award recognises creative and innovative techniques and content that extends knowledge and understanding of the topic, and engages with audiences. Entries should be using new technologies and platforms, such as TikTok, gaming, data, VR, AR, XR or AI.

Environmental Reporting Award
For media that explores the relationship between people and the planet in the global south. The Award recognises impact and creativity in telling an environmental story. Entries should cover at least one of these areas: urban development, climate crisis, energy, environmental health, environmental justice, food, water, wildlife and zero waste. Entries can be in any medium, including news, online, audio, print or film. 

Feature Documentary Award
For a feature-length  documentary film that covers a story or topic in the global south. The Award recognises impact and storytelling that is character-driven and creative. Entries must be more than 60 minutes long.

Freelance Journalist of the Year Award (formerly the International Journalist of the Year Award)
For a freelance filmmaker or journalist who has made the most outstanding contribution to stories from the global south during the year. The Award recognises consistent, impactful reporting that brings a story to audiences in a compelling way. Entrants can be working in any medium, including news, online, audio, print or film.

Correspondent of the Year Award (formerly the International Journalist of the Year Award)
For a filmmaker or journalist working for a media organisation who has made the most outstanding contribution to stories from the global south during the year. The Award recognises consistent, impactful reporting that brings a story to audiences in a compelling way. Entrants can be working in any medium, including news, online, audio, print or film.

News Award
For a single television or online video news report or feature that deals with stories, topics or issues in, about or related to the global south.

New Voice Award
For a young filmmaker or journalist who has made a substantial contribution to stories from the global south during the year. The Award recognises impactful storytelling that brings a story to audiences in a compelling way. Entrants should be 32 years of age or under as of 16 February 2024 and can be working in any medium, including news, online, audio, print or film.

Print Award (Please note that that former category ‘Popular Features’ has now merged with the Print Award)
For a  feature article published in print or online that covers a  story or  topic in the global south. The Award recognises impact, exclusive content or new perspectives. Entries must be articles of 750 words or longer. 

Podcast & Radio Award
For an audio feature, podcast, or single programme from a series, that covers a story or topic in the global south. The Award recognises impact, and stories that have a compelling narrative. Entries should be broadcast on radio or online. 

You can enter the OWM Podcast & Radio Award with financial support from the Podcasting, Seriously Fund by filling in this form. 

Refugee Reporting Award
For media that tells stories about people’s experience as refugees, migrants or when seeking asylum. The Award recognises compelling stories that generate empathy, understanding and are reported on accurately and fairly. Entries can be in any medium, including news, online, audio, print or film.

Short Documentary Award
For a short documentary film that deals with stories or topics in the global south. The Award recognises impact and storytelling that is character-driven and creative. Entries must be between 5 and 40 minutes.

Press Freedom Award (formerly the Special Award. This category is free to enter)
For an independent media organisation based in the global south using media to address social, cultural, political and economic issues. The Award recognises outstanding reporting that informs the public, provides an outlet for local people’s voices, creates a space for critical information and holds those in power to account.

Student Award
For media, produced by a student as part of a journalism or filmmaking course at a university or film school that deals with stories or topics in the global south. The Award recognises creative and compelling storytelling.

Current Affairs Award (formerly the Television Documentary Award)
For a film, programme or investigation that covers a story or topic in the global south. The Award recognises impact, exclusive content and considered analysis of a current affairs issue. Entries can include a specific episode of a strand or a topical, news-led documentary.

Women’s Solutions Reporting Award
For media that explores women’s solutions in the global south. The Award recognises empowering stories of girls and women who successfully tackled challenges faced by women and society at large, such as:  women’s financial and economic inclusion, addressing the impact of the climate crisis, increasing access to education,health care or democracy.. Entries can be in any medium, including news, online, audio, print or film.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the One World Media Awards?

  • Across 15 categories, the Awards celebrate work from all media platforms and across a wide range of genres and themes
  • The Awards are open to journalists and documentary filmmakers from anywhere in the world
  • The focus is on stories, topics or issues in, about or related to the global south

Why enter the Awards?

  • A unique opportunity to be recognised by some of the industry’s top professionals and to gain a wider audience for your work
  • The only Awards recognising excellence in international journalism and filmmaking specifically from and about the global south
  • With over 35 years of providing a platform for important stories to be shared and celebrated, the one world media awards are well-established within the industry.

Is there an application fee?

Each entry is:

  • £165 standard fee (organisations)
  • £40 for freelancers
  • £25 for students

Further discounts are offered to journalists/filmmakers from the global south. Please fill out this form to be considered for the discounted rate.
Entrants may submit any number of entries into any number of categories, but a separate online entry form and entry fee will be required for each.

Entry fees are non-refundable once paid.

How many entries can I submit?

Entrants may submit any number of entries into any number of categories, but a separate online entry form and entry fee will be required for each.

Can I see a sample entry form?

A sample entry form is available here.

Can OWM revoke an award?

The OWM board reserves the right to revoke an Award if it is later found that the recipient did not meet the eligibility requirements or they have engaged in conduct that undermines OWM’s values and principles. In the unlikely event that this is necessary, the OWM board will conduct a review of the situation and make a decision on the action to take.

What are the broadcast date requirements for entries?

Entries must have had their first screening, broadcast, theatrical release, launch or publication between 10 Feb 2023 to 8 Feb 2024. For film and television entries, this includes scheduled screenings within recognised film, television and documentary festivals.

What materials are required if nominated?

Entrants whose work is nominated must be prepared to supply, within one week of notification: high resolution digital files or high resolution pdfs of print articles for use in the Awards ceremony, full credit information, synopsis of the entry and 3-5 high resolution images for publication in the Award winners’ catalogue, use on the One World Media website and in any publicity and promotional materials related to the Awards/One World Media in future years.

Can I buy tickets for the OWM Awards ceremony?

Tickets will go on sale to the public in May. All nominees will receive one complimentary ticket.

What does a winner receive?

Winners receive a trophy and nominees are given a certificate. All shortlisted entrants receive an attendee ticket to the Awards Ceremony in June.

When is the deadline for submission?

All entries must be submitted and paid for by 9 Feb 2023 to be considered for the awards. The submission portal will close at 17:00 GMT.

Entries will not be accepted into the competition until payment has been received and this should be no later than the deadline of 9 February 2023.

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