We 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?
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 the following areas: urban development, the climate crisis, energy, environmental health, environmental justice, food, water, wildlife and zero waste. Entries can be in any medium, including broadcast news, online, audio, print, multimedia 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.
Journalist of the Year Award
For a filmmaker or journalist from the Global South who has made an 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, multimedia or film.
News Award
For a written, audio or video news report that covers a story or topic in the Global South. The Award recognises exclusive content or an investigation that led the news agenda. Entries can be online, broadcast or in print.
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 and/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.
Depending on your location you may request financial support from the Podcasting, Seriously Fund to cover entry fees 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, multimedia 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 (This category is free to enter and open only to organisations)
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 (Entry fee waived for students from and based in the Global South)
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. Entries can be in any medium, including, online, audio, print, multimedia or film.
Current Affairs 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 journalistic series or a topical, news-led documentary.
News Content Creators Award *New*
This Award celebrates an individual or team who demonstrate excellence in delivering news and current affairs content across social media platforms about the Global South. We are looking for journalistic integrity, creativity, analysis and impact in informing and engaging audiences. Content can be produced and shared across any social media platform, including but not limited to YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, X (Twitter), Facebook, or emerging digital spaces. The content must be created specifically for social platforms.
Freelance Investigative Journalism Award *New*This category recognises the work of a freelance investigative journalist that demonstrates original, systematic, and in-depth research and reporting from the Global South that uncovers hidden truths, exposes wrong-doing or corruption and explores diverse perspectives (including feminism, marginalised identities, cultural traditions and belief systems). Entries can be one article (either as a standalone piece or an article from part of a series), print or print with multimedia components, between 2,000 and 7,000 words.
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 the societal challenges they faced, such as:
- women’s financial and economic inclusion
- addressing the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on women and girls
- increasing access to education
- health care or democracy.
Entries can be in any medium, including online, audio, print, multimedia or film.
All entries should focus on stories, topics or issues in, about or related to low-and middle-income countries and peoples across the Global South.
Entries must have had their first screening, broadcast, theatrical release, launch or publication between 7 February 2025 to 6 February 2026.
Broadly, countries in the Global South are located in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia (excluding Israel, Japan, and South Korea), and Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand). Global South countries are largely recognised through identifiers such as being a low and/or middle income-economy, experiencing higher levels of inequality and less developed infrastructure and health systems, amongst other factors.
As the list of countries which are considered to be Global South can vary, we draw on both this list compiled by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Population Review’s Global South Countries 2025 list, and we would consider entries from countries on either of these lists.
We also welcome stories related to indigenous peoples and communities from anywhere in the world. If you are uncertain whether your entry would meet our criteria or have any questions about eligibility please email us at [email protected].
With the exception of the Press Freedom 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
Organisations
£165
For organisations and institutions
Staffed Individuals
£50
For individuals employed by an organisation
Freelancers
£40
For independent professionals
Students
£25
Students from and based in the Global South are exempt
Entries must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee.
There is a fee to enter the Awards except the Press Freedom Award category, which is free and open only to organisations.
A limited number of discounts and fee waivers are available to entrants who are experiencing financial hardship. Applicants seeking a discount should complete this form to apply.
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 underrepresented 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 must show a strong commitment to diversity through inclusive subjects, themes, narratives, diverse teams, expanded industry access, and strategies to engage diverse audiences.
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
- All decisions of the One World Media Awards’ organisers and jurors are final
- Entrants are responsible for ensuring that their entry meets all eligibility requirements and selecting the most appropriate category for their entry(s). The organisers reserve the right to move an entry into another category when it would be more appropriate there.
- Jurors reserve the right not to make an award in any given category if it is deemed that the high standard for entries has not been met.
- Organisers and jurors will not enter into any correspondence with entrants on the subject of entries.
- Entries must have had their first screening, broadcast, theatrical release, launch or publication between 7 February 2025 to 6 February 2026. For film and television entries, this includes scheduled screenings within recognised film, television and documentary festivals.
- Entrants may submit any number of entries into any number of categories, but a separate online entry form will be required for each.
- By submitting the entry, the entrant grants and warrants that the entrant is entitled to grant to One World Media the rights to make copies of a clip of up to three minutes’ running time from the entry and to include these clips in the Awards ceremony and on One World Media’s website, youtube and vimeo channels. The entrant also grants One World Media the right to record and use the sounds and images of any acceptance speech relating to the entry in any television broadcast, any website or any other medium, or publication in connection with the Awards and/or One World Media, including for publicity and promotional purposes.
- 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 use on the One World Media website and in any publicity and promotional materials related to the Awards/One World Media in future years.
- Entrants agree to allow One World Media to retain data from the entry form, for non-circulation reference.
- It is the responsibility of the entrant to provide complete, accurate information about the entry. One World Media shall not be liable for errors or omissions in the entry forms or credit information. If the entry form is inaccurate or incomplete, if the entry does not meet the eligibility requirements, or if it is deemed ineligible for any other reason, then the entry will be disqualified. Entry fees cannot be refunded for any entry that is thus disqualified.
KEY DATES
- Open for entries: 12 January 2026
- Close for entries: 9 February 2026
- Deadline extension: 16 February 5pm GMT 2026
- Longlist announced: 2 April 2026
- Shortlist announced: 6 May 2026
- Awards day: 17 June 2026
USEFUL LINKS
- Frequently asked questions
- View previous winners
- Watch last year’s ceremony
- Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube
- Subscribe to our newsletter
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the One World Media Awards?
- Across 14 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 more than 38 years of providing a platform for Global South stories to be shared and celebrated, the One World Media Awards are well-established within the industry.
Is there an application fee?
Each entry per category is as follows:
- £165 standard fee (organisations)
- £50 for staffed individuals
- £40 for freelancers
- £25 for students, fee waived for students from and based in the Global South
A further discounted fee of £20 may be 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 One World Media revoke an award?
The One World Media 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 One World Media’s values and principles. In the unlikely event that this is necessary, the One World Media 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 7 February 2025 to 6 February 2026. 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 One World Media 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 February 2026 to be considered for the Awards. The submission portal will close at 17:00 GMT+1.
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 2026.
What countries are considered Global South?
Please see this list of countries with low-income or middle-income economies by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD compiles this information and revises it every three years.
How do we define Freelancer?
Freelancer refers to independent media professionals who are self‑employed and work on a project‑by‑project basis rather than being permanently employed by a single organisation. Freelancers may work across a range of formats.