Viory, the video news agency representing the Global South, marked a major milestone with the debut of the Global South Video News Awards at the BRIDGE Summit in Abu Dhabi, the world’s largest inaugural media conference. The ceremony highlighted video journalists whose work captures the region’s narratives with depth, accuracy and strong visual impact.
Hosted by media figure Mai Maxwell, widely known as maisvault, the event attracted a broad audience of major broadcasters, video journalists and industry leaders from across the Global South.
Strong Partnerships Across the UAE and International Media
The awards were supported by key UAE partners, including Emirates News Agency (WAM), TRENDS Research & Advisory, Abu Dhabi University, and the University of Sharjah.
Additional international collaborators included the African Union of Broadcasting, the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development, the OIC States Broadcasting Union, and the Union of OIC News Agencies, with leadership from the UAE Association of Journalists also present at the ceremony.
Opening Remarks Underscore the Rise of Global South Storytelling
In the opening keynote, Alex Kobia, African Distribution Lead at Viory, emphasized the significance of elevating authentic reporting from the Global South.
He stated:
“Today, the Global South is not emerging – it has arrived. Its stories deserve to be told with accuracy, depth and integrity. Verified visual journalism is essential in an age shaped by rapid change and misinformation, and Viory is proud to support more than 3,000 journalists who bring clarity and on-the-ground truth to audiences around the world.”
Humanitarian Insights on the Power of Visual Reporting
Content creator and UAE youth representative Shahd Alabdouli delivered a compelling reflection inspired by her humanitarian missions in Al-Arish, Syria and Rafah. She highlighted the vital role of visual journalism in preserving human dignity, amplifying marginalized voices and reminding audiences that people remain at the heart of every story.
A Global Jury Recognizes Excellence in Visual Journalism
The judging panel included more than twenty senior media professionals from leading Global South news organizations. Among them were representatives from Clarín (Argentina), Hindustan Times (India), Korean Broadcasting System, TeleSUR (Venezuela) and the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. Many jury members were present during the awards ceremony.
Four Winners Honored for Outstanding Visual Storytelling
The event celebrated four distinguished journalists whose work demonstrated exceptional skill and originality:
- Best Camerawork – Maxi Jonas
- Most Creative Shot – Enrique Ortiz
- Exclusive Lens – Masoud Al Jarousha (award accepted on his behalf by Shahd Alabdouli)
- Vital Footage Award – Ernest Dela Aglanu
Viory Reaffirms Its Mission to Strengthen Visual Journalism
The ceremony concluded with Viory reiterating its commitment to supporting credible reporting, empowering journalist communities and ensuring that key stories from the Global South receive the global visibility they merit.
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