#Abu Dhabi #United Arab Emirates #Global South #Viory #BRIDGE Summit

A New Dawn for Global South Journalism

The recent launch of the inaugural Global South Video News Awards, organized by Viory, has signaled a significant advancement in recognizing the invaluable contributions of video journalists from the Global South. This momentous event took place during the BRIDGE Summit held in Abu Dhabi, which is renowned for being one of the largest global conferences focusing on new media.

The event was hosted by esteemed media personality Mai Maxwell, known in the industry as Maisvault. The awards gathered a diverse audience comprising prominent broadcasters, video journalists, and industry leaders from various countries in the Global South. The impressive array of attendees underlined the vibrant media landscape in these regions and their commitment to telling compelling stories.

Collaborative efforts were evident in the partnerships formed with several organizations, including the Emirates News Agency (WAM), TRENDS Research Advisory, Abu Dhabi University, and the University of Sharjah. International media partners also contributed, such as the Union of Broadcasting, the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development, and various representatives from news agencies across the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) states.

In his opening remarks, Alex Kobia, Viory's distribution lead for Africa, emphasized the significance of these awards, stating, "Today, the Global South is not emerging; it is already here. Its stories deserve to be told with accuracy, depth, and integrity." Kobia elaborated on the crucial role of verified visual journalism amidst rapid changes and the prevalence of misinformation, asserting Viory's ongoing commitment to support over 3,000 journalists who deliver clear and grounded perspectives to global audiences.

Shahd Alabdouli, a content creator and representative of the youth in the UAE, shared her experiences from humanitarian missions undertaken in Al-Arish, Syria, and Rafah. She highlighted the essential function of visual journalism in preserving dignity, amplifying unheard voices, and reminding the public that humanity lies at the heart of every narrative.

The jury for the awards consisted of more than 20 seasoned professionals from leading international media outlets in the Global South, including Clarín from Argentina, the Hindustan Times from India, the Korean Broadcasting System, TeleSUR from Venezuela, and the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, many of whom attended the ceremony themselves.

The prestigious awards recognized four outstanding contributors to visual storytelling:

• - Best Shot: Maxi Jonas
• - Most Creative Shot: Enrique Ortiz
• - Exclusive Coverage: Masoud Al Jarousha
• - Essential Imagery Award: Ernest Dela Aglanu

As the ceremony drew to a close, Viory reaffirmed its dedication to fostering credible journalism, strengthening journalist communities, and ensuring that vital stories from the region receive the visibility they rightly deserve.

About Viory

Viory stands as the video news agency for the Global South, dedicated to promoting and amplifying diverse perspectives from its geopolitical and developmental heartlands. With its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, Viory's expanding team consists of top professionals in the information industry collectively providing clients with the essential tools, exclusive materials, and resources necessary to convey comprehensive narratives. Covering a wide range of topics, including up-to-the-minute news, politics, technology, sports, and entertainment, Viory features a library of over 180,000 videos, adding approximately 65 new videos each day. Additionally, its digital platform offers more than 400 hours of live broadcasts monthly in six languages. Viory sources and produces breaking news content globally and regionally through thousands of field-based video journalists, thus continuously expanding its network to provide fundamental content to everyone, from international media conglomerates to regional news outlets.

For more information, visit Viory's website.