Best News/Current Affairs Content Shortlisted


Our War BBC Productions for BBC Three This remarkable documentary was highly praised by the judges for its original approach to the well-worn subject of life on the front lines of conflict. And just this week, director general Mark Thompson described it as “one of the best pieces of TV in my time here, and possibly my time in the industry as a whole”. It was the way it wove in battlefront stories with reflections from back home that made it stand out for the judges, who described it as “beautiful” and “moving”.


Joe A Ruby Channel 4 for S4C The judges were charmed by this story of one man’s love affair with his horse Ruby and the desperate search he embarked on when she went missing. A leftfield story that could not help but be compelling, with septua- genarian gypsy Joe emerging as a great, poign- ant character.


Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields


website Realise for ITN/Channel 4


T


he judges were bowled over by this entry, which they considered head and shoulders above the


rest. The documentary, which has been aired at the UN and led to the UK’s Foreign Office getting involved, was uni- versally praised for its investigation into war crimes allegedly committed by the Sri Lankan government against the Tamils. Judges agreed it was a defining piece of global current affairs with an incredible impact, and it won almost every vote in the category. “A historic film – one of the top 10


docs that have changed TV,” said one judge. “Has the potential to change history,” a second added. “Outstanding journalism with a huge impact that won’t be forgotten,” a third agreed. For its original broadcast, Channel 4


decided to air Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields late at night due to its disturbing imagery, securing viewing figures of just over 800,000 people. But that number has since been bolstered by the online audience, and it is this second life that the Broadcast Digital Award celebrates.


www.broadcastnow.co.uk Following the initial impact of the


film, the broadcaster decided to create a bespoke website, giving un-geo-blocked access to the film. It has now been viewed in more than 30 countries. As well as hosting the original


content, the site was updated with new


‘A historic film – one of the top 10 docs that


have changed TV’ Awards judge


programmes and information, and to draw in new Channel 4 News material as it emerged. It also encouraged engage- ment around the subject through social media by displaying comments, discus- sions on Twitter and points raised on the Killing Fields Facebook page. It is popu- lated with facts and figures as well as links to other, related sites. Judges said the website had played a


vital role in getting the story out interna- tionally, strengthening its impact among both general public and world leaders.


22 June 2012 | Broadcast Digital Awards | 23


Al-Qaida Fighting For Hearts And Minds Guardian Films for Guardian Online Three months after the UN announced that two areas of Southern Somalia were officially in famine, reporter Jamal Osman went there to gain an understanding of how militant Islamist group Al-Shabaab was trying to seize power in the country. This thought-provoking film offers an insight into a part of the world that is rarely seen on TV.


Libyan kids: New Values For ‘Green’ Minds Russia Today Perfectly pitched for RT’s core audience, this news segment looked at how the regime change in Libya is being played out in schools – mirroring the experience of those who were in school when communism fell in the Soviet Union. The short film found a new angle on Libya, looking at how the country is approach- ing education in its post-revolutionary world.


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