Zimbabwean journalist from Birmingham selected as judge for global media awards ceremony

A Birmingham-based journalist who originally travelled to the UK from Zimbabwe for a better life has been selected to be a judge for the prestigious One World Media Awards this year.

Selbin Kabote, who works for charity Migrant Voice as a Media Lab Project Worker, is one of four judges in the ‘Refugee Reporting’ category at the prestigious annual event.

Established in 1998, the One World Media Awards recognise the best media coverage of developing countries, reflecting the social, political and cultural life of people around the globe.

Open to journalists and filmmakers from all over the world with 15 key categories, the awards highlight work from all media platforms and across a wide range of genres and themes. The focus is on stories, topics or issues in, about or related to developing countries.

The One World Media Awards also celebrate “stories that break down stereotypes, change the narrative and connect people from different cultures”.

Entering the awards provides writers and filmmakers with a unique opportunity to be recognised by some of the industry’s top professionals and to gain a wider audience for their work. Among the judging panel will be some leading and experienced journalists from the BBC, Channel 4, Al Jazeera, Sky News, ITV, Financial Times and other international high-profile media organisations.

With 31 years of providing a platform for important stories to be shared and celebrated, the 2019 winners were announced at an annual ceremony held at BAFTA in London. Hosted by veteran news journalist Jon Snow, the accolades celebrated outstanding work from all media platforms and across a wide range of genres.

Highlighting their mission, London-based non-profit organisation One World Media state:

“One World Media’s mission is to support strong, vibrant and independent media coverage on developing countries that empowers citizens, promotes justice and creates social impact.

“We believe that the media can be a powerful force for good. For over 30 years we have been working with partners in the UK and internationally to support international journalism and promote media coverage of global issues.”

One World’s media’s mission is also to support strong, vibrant and independent media coverage on developing countries that empowers citizens, promotes justice and creates social impact.

For this year’s competition, entries are judged in 15 different categories, including New Voice, Short Film, Digital Media and Refugee Reporting.

Brummie charity worker Selbin spends his days working with refugees, asylum seekers and migrants to arm them with the tools needed to create their own media platforms.

Teaching and training in special media labs across Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton, the local Migrant Voice project worker shares skills he has acquired as a news reporter in Zimbabwe, South Africa and the United Kingdom, spanning several decades.

His current ‘Media Lab’ work is part of a wider initiative run by MiFriendly Cities, which focuses on amplifying migrant stories in the West Midlands.

Selbin honed his craft in Zimbabwe during the 1980’s and then as journalist and radio producer for the South African Broadcasting Corporation SABC Channel Africa, before coming to the UK in search of better opportunities, where he continues to practise as a journalist.

Speaking about the opportunity to be involved in these awards, he said, “Being a judge will enable me and my fellow judges to honour and recognise the best media coverage of developing countries by hardworking and talented journalists and filmmakers from all over the world.

“I’m looking forward to this event as it chimes so closely with our work at Migrant Voice, which is committed to shining a spotlight on migrants and refugees who have stories to tell.”

The event is partnered with the major news organisations including the BBC, Al Jazeera and Channel 4 as well as the Google News Initiative and Movement in Media.

Watch highlights from last year’s One World Media Awards:

Entries for the One World Media Awards have now closed. Pending confirmation, the awards ceremony will take place in London on 18 June 2020.