RFE/RL's Radio Farda and Radio Free Afghanistan Honored By AIB
RFE/RL’s Radio Farda and Radio Free Afghanistan have both received “Highly Commended” awards from the AIB International Media Excellence Awards — the “AIBs” — at its annual gala held in London on November 6.
“The Victims of 88 (AKA 2009),” a radio series produced by Masih Alinejad of Radio Farda, won in the category of “Investigative Documentary/Radio.” The series tells the story of the people who lost their lives protesting the results of the 2009 presidential election in Iran, and judges noted “superb research is its foundation.”
Radio Free Afghanistan’s “Afghan Brickworks, Family Trapped In Cycle Of Debt” won in the “Short Feature” category. Judges called it “a tragic story, sensitively told and utterly compelling.” This is the second major award for the report, after receiving a Bronze Award for “Internet Video Documentary” in October from The Lovie Awards, which recognizes “the most resonant and pertinent stories in Europe.”
Also receiving an AIB award was Radio Free Asia (RFA), RFE/RL’s sister broadcaster, which was named “Winner” in “Innovative Production Technology” for its e-book on the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.
“We’re honored that RFE/RL’s work in Iran and Afghanistan has been recognized by the AIB, and congratulate our RFA colleagues on their win,” said RFE/RL President and CEO Kevin Klose. “Illuminating the world in which our audiences live is the first duty of all journalists working for U.S. international media, and we’re pleased that so much of our reporting has resonated with those audiences and with our international broadcasting peers.”
Established in 1993, the AIB is an association covering international TV, radio, online, and mobile broadcasting. Shortlisted nominees are awarded either “Winner” or “Highly Commended” in their respective categories. Other 2013 award recipients include CNN, BBC World Service, BBC Persian, Channel 4 and Radio Taiwan International.
About Radio Farda
Radio Farda is one of the few remaining sources of uncensored news and information for people in Iran. Despite severe censorship, Radio Farda’s website receives 10 million page views every month.
About Radio Free Afghanistan
Radio Free Afghanistan, known locally as Radio Azadi (in Dari and Pashto), is the leading media outlet in Afghanistan today, reaching more than 60 percent of the Afghan population across the country with its radio and Internet programs.
About RFE/RL
RFE/RL is a private, independent international news organization whose programs — radio, Internet, television, and mobile — reach influential audiences in 21 countries, including Russia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus. It is funded by the U.S. Congress through the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG).