Previous winners of the Global Media Competition: where are they now?

Sen Nguyen

Sen Nguyen, Vietnamese journalist and one of the winners of the 2023 Global Media Competition, had published an article highlighting the positive impact of remittances on migrant origin communities, whilst also addressing the harsh realities of smuggling, exploitation, and potential death during the labour migration process. A year later, the author shared how the recognition of her work has allowed her to expand her network and give her the opportunity to share her experience and expertise as part of a capacity-building workshop for journalists in Mongolia. The journalist’s insights not only inspired Mongolian journalists but also led to significant changes in the national practices.

“In January I was pleased to share my experience with journalists in Mongolia and discuss the challenges they face reporting labour migration and forced labour. To my delight, I learned that the talk inspired a lot of journalists, and several went on to look more closely at the situation of Vietnamese workers in Mongolia.”

These investigations have notably contributed to a positive influence on national policy, particularly with regard to labour inspection, leading to a strengthening of migrant workers' rights protection in Mongolia:

“Their reporting has led to important changes as Mongolia's labour inspection has decided to look into working conditions in the car repair sector, where many Vietnamese migrants have been working, more closely.”

Reflecting on the experience, the journalist underlined that the ILO award was more than a prize, as it facilitated meaningful connections and learning opportunities with journalists she would not have the opportunity to connect with otherwise.

“The award therefore has become more than just a piece of paper - it has allowed me to connect with and learn from journalists I'd otherwise never have met. Since receiving the ILO award, I've been working on several documentary projects - from climate change issue to UXO demining and covering gender inequality on the cybersphere for CNN. Most importantly, I'm working on a very exciting project that will again shed light on the migration story of Vietnamese people, among other issues - my biggest journalism endeavour yet. I can't wait to share with you all soon when it's out!”

Consult the winning article: Risk, rewards and remittances in Vietnam's Nghe An province, by Sen Nguyen, published in Al Jazeera (20 July 2023)

Sofía Álvarez Jurado, Claudia Colliva and Giada Cristal Santana Eusebio

Sofía Álvarez Jurado, Claudia Colliva and Giada Cristal Santana Eusebio, three journalists all based in France, prize-winners of the 2023 Competition, reported on the extreme heat endured by migrant workers in Spain and Italy in the agricultural sector, highlighting their significant contributions to these economies despite being underpaid. They also addressed the associated health risks and the lack of formal employment, which increases the workers’ vulnerability.

One year later, the three authors are still working on related topics, such as the nexus of social and environmental issues and EU policies, as well as the place of journalists in crisis situation. Their work remains highly relevant to the goals of the global media competition, showcasing their dedication to producing high-quality narratives on diverse topics.

• Claudia Colliva is now working as a video and social media journalist at France 24, primarily focusing on current affairs and social/environmental issues.
• Sofia Álvarez Jurad is working as an investigative journalist at Forbidden Stories. The most recent investigation she collaborated on was into the killing of journalists in Gaza by Israeli drones.
• Giada Santana Eusebi is a producer and co-host of Euractiv’s daily podcast Today in the EU, which discusses matters central to EU politics with expert guests.

Consult the winning article: Harvesting Heat, by Sofía Álvarez Jurado, Claudia Colliva and Giada Cristal Santana Eusebio, published in Are We Europe (31 July 2023)

Annisa Zulfalia and Almira Khairunnisa

A year after winning the 2023 Global Media Competition, the two Indonesian students reflect on their experience following the recognition they received for their article on the fishing industry and forced labor.

Annissa Zulfalia acknowledges how a class during her academic journey sparked her interest in the subject. Building on this experience, she began investigating the field to verify the facts presented in class. This led her to uncover the harsh realities faced by migrant workers in the fishing industry.

“My name is Annisa Zulfalia Az Zahra. I was a first-year student at Diponegoro University when I attended the "Training on Reporting Forced Labour for Journalism Students" conducted by International Labour Organization (ILO).

Through this course, I became aware of the issue of forced labour in the fisheries sector, while before I didn't know this issue at all despite living in city which is the key hub for the recruitment of migrant workers in fishing sectors.

The facts I learned in the course were later confirmed by individuals around me, and it became evident that such practices were indeed common. The knowledge I gained led me to participate in the ILO Global Competition, where I continued to write about forced labour and the injustices faced by migrant workers in fishing sectors. I have also built positive relationships with several migrant workers and recruitment agencies in my area.”

After being awarded the Student Prize by the ILO, she aims to further develop her skills as a journalist while continuing to investigate topics related to labour, particularly those involving forced labour.

“After I received the award, I returned to my journalism studies at Diponegoro University and graduated in November. I am now preparing to pursue further education in journalism, my goal is to deepen my understanding of journalism then improve my ability to address the issue of forced labour later on. Considering to moving in another country to study, I aim to study how similar cases are handled in other parts of the world and explore solutions that could be applied in Indonesia.”

Almira Khairunnisa highlights the skills she gained from university classes, which enabled her to produce high-quality work that led to winning the competition. This emphasizes the crucial role of well-designed courses as a foundation for excellent reporting on critical issues such as the fishing industry and forced labour.

“Winning the ILO Global Competition on reporting forced labor in the fisheries sector was a transformative milestone in my journalism journey. This achievement was built upon the foundation of the Training on Reporting Forced Labour for Journalism Students, which equipped me with critical skills and insights into ethical reporting on sensitive issues. The experience not only enriched my understanding of forced labor in fisheries but also inspired my academic and professional pursuits.”

Like the professional journalist Mrs. Sen Nguyen, Almira Khairunnisa has engaged in peer-to-peer exchanges with other journalists, demonstrating the transformative impact of exemplary storytelling and investigative work on the lives of journalists and soon-to-be journalists. More than just an award-focused competition, the Global Media Competition empowers its winners by emphasizing the importance of precise and technically proficient journalistic skills.

“Over the past year, I have applied this knowledge in various ways. At Universitas Diponegoro, I integrated these lessons into my journalism classes, sharing practical and ethical insights with peers. The experience also became instrumental in shaping my undergraduate thesis, which focused on the challenges faced by migrant workers.

Professionally, as a Social Media Associate, I have utilized the content research skills I honed during this journey to craft thoughtful and impactful storytelling. This journey has solidified my dedication to addressing global labor issues through both journalism and professional work.”