In a landmark move for international journalism, Abu Dhabi-based Viory has inaugurated the Global South Video News Awards, creating the first dedicated platform to honor visual storytellers reshaping global perceptions of the Global South. The announcement, made in Abu Dhabi, establishes a prestigious recognition program for video journalists whose work has historically been overlooked by mainstream media institutions.
The awards initiative emerges as Global South journalists increasingly drive global narratives with authentic, ground-level reporting that challenges outdated media frameworks. Rather than merely emerging, the region’s journalism has firmly established itself as a creative and narrative force, capturing world events with unprecedented immediacy and contextual depth.
Scheduled to coincide with the BRIDGE Summit on December 9, the awards will recognize footage published between December 2024 and December 2025 across four distinct categories. Each winner will receive Dh12,000 in recognition of their contribution to visual journalism. The categories include: Vital Footage Award (for indispensable storytelling), Best Camerawork (technical and artistic excellence), Exclusive Lens (unique access to key moments), and Most Creative Shot (innovative production techniques).
According to Viory General Manager Zulayho Siddikova, the awards address growing demand for unfiltered reporting: ‘The Global South Video News Awards celebrate journalism that matters – work that doesn’t just tell stories but makes audiences live them.’
The program reflects broader shifts in news consumption patterns, with audiences increasingly prioritizing credibility, human context, and real-time verification – qualities consistently delivered by Global South video journalists. In an era of misinformation concerns, verified on-the-ground footage has become essential to global understanding.
A regional jury of editors and media leaders will select twelve nominees, all invited to Abu Dhabi for the ceremony. The initiative enjoys support from prominent organizations including the Emirates News Agency, TRENDS Research & Advisory, University of Sharjah, African Union of Broadcasting, and multiple international broadcasting unions.
Viory, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, has established itself as a premier video news hub for the Global South, maintaining a network of thousands of journalists and hosting over 180,000 clips with 400+ hours of monthly live streams across six languages. The platform delivers comprehensive coverage of breaking news, politics, business, sports, technology, and cultural developments across the Global South.