Abu dhabi: Viory, the video news agency of the Global South, made a powerful debut with the inaugural Global South Video News Awards at the BRIDGE Summit, the world’s largest debut media conference in Abu Dhabi. The ceremony celebrated video journalists whose work brings the region’s stories to the forefront with clarity and impact.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event was hosted by media personality Mai Maxwell, widely known as maisvault, and attracted a diverse audience of major broadcasters, video journalists, and industry leaders from across the Global South. UAE partners of the awards included Emirates News Agency (WAM), TRENDS Research and Advisory, Abu Dhabi University, and University of Sharjah. International media partners also included African Union of Broadcasting, Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development, OIC States Broadcasting Union, and Union of OIC News Agencies, with leadership of the UAE Association of Journalists also in attendance.
Opening the ceremony, Alex Kobia, African Distribution Lead at Viory, delivered a keynote highlighting the significance of the awards. He emphasized that the Global South is not just emerging but has arrived, asserting the need for its stories to be told with accuracy, depth, and integrity. Kobia stressed the importance of verified visual journalism in an era marked by rapid change and misinformation, expressing Viory’s pride in supporting over 3,000 journalists who deliver clarity and on-the-ground truth to global audiences.
Shahd Alabdouli, a content creator and UAE youth representative, shared reflections from her humanitarian missions in Al-Arish, Syria, and Rafah. She highlighted the role of visual journalism in preserving dignity, amplifying unheard voices, and reminding audiences that humanity is central to every story.
The judging panel comprised more than 20 senior professionals from some of the largest international media organizations in the Global South, including representatives from Clarn (Argentina), Hindustan Times (India), Korean Broadcasting System, TeleSUR (Venezuela), and the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. Many of these representatives were present at the ceremony.
Four winners from around the world were honored for their exceptional contributions to visual storytelling: Best Camerawork – Maxi Jonas, Most Creative Shot – Enrique Ortiz, Exclusive Lens – Masoud Al Jarousha, and Vital Footage Award – Ernest Dela Aglanu.
The ceremony concluded with Viory reaffirming its commitment to supporting credible reporting, strengthening journalist communities, and ensuring that vital stories from the region receive the visibility they deserve.