Company: Rudaw Media Network, Erbil, Iraq
Company Description: Rudaw Media Network is an independent media establishment that considers disseminating written, visual and audio information its main goal. Through its website, newspapers, app and broadcast radio & TV features, Rudaw keeps more than 1,000,000 viewers and listeners updated and informed about important events and issues in Kurdistan, the Middle East and the rest of the world in over five languages.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Company of the Year - Media & Entertainment - Medium-siz
 Nomination Title: RUDAW MEDIA NETWORK
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated organization since 1 January 2021, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 185 words used.
RUDAW MEDIA NETWORK
Our goal has always been to broadcast the truth in a professional manner, taking a global view, free from ties to geography or ideology. This year, we celebrate both our network's 10-year anniversary and the most successful year since our formation.
HISTORY AND PAST PERFORMANCE
In 2008, we began publishing newspapers alongside the launch of our website, serving the needs of the Iraqi people during a turbulent and dangerous time for Iraq.
The launch of Rudaw Media Network in May-2013 represented another step forwards for us, providing features in partnership with Lebanese, British and French media companies. We launched the first ever 24-hour TV service in Kurdistan, and from 2016, our coverage has encompassed both domestic and international events (Appendix-1).
We support our journalists by sending them to the US and Europe for the highest quality training available, and by paying them the highest journalist wages (minimum and average) in the country.
Today, Rudaw is the most accessed source of news in Iraq, and we frequently provide news features, factual programming and live footage to national networks all over the world (Appendix-2).
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 249 words used.
Our success since 2021 represents maturation of reliable, credible news across Iraq – something that was impossible here only 20 years ago.
ACHIEVEMENTS IN…
QUALITY PROGRAMMING
Our suite of informative, regular current event features and documentaries reflects the beating heart of Iraq, with more variety now than ever before, with a catalogue of previous episodes now available to view online free of charge:
- Dr Aras: Weekly show raising awareness and public understanding about health-related issues.
- Legel Ranj: Current affairs show tackling complex, relevant issues of government policy, public health, and commercial import.
- Shayan Tahseen: Investigative journalist and senior television anchor Shayan uncovers and highlights inequality and injustice in Iraq's society.
- Documentaries: Range of serialised and one-off documentaries, highlighting issues, recording our history, and bringing viewers together through our shared values.
Appendix-3
ENGAGEMENT
This year, Rudaw Portal celebrates becoming Iraq's most accessed source of media, with:
- 10.26m Instagram visits from February-April-2023 – 3.42m p/month on average, and a reach of 2.6m people in the same period.
- Over 200m Facebook impressions, and 20m more views of our Facebook page than any other Kurdish or Arabic Iraqi news source.
- 5m Twitter impressions in April alone.
- 128m TikTok views in March and April.
Appendix-4
BEST PRACTICE
Since the start of 2021, we've made strides in improving our practices, running workshops to help our staff enhance their research and investigative skills. We frequently host our own external workshops to promote journalistic best practice and support representation of women and minorities.
Appendix-5
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 249 words used.
SIGNIFICANT FOR VIEWERS
These achievements are both unique and significant because, as the only politically nonpartisan platform in Iraq, we represent the sole source of unbiased news for our viewers. We therefore have a duty of care to them, and to broader Iraqi society, reflected in our coverage of issues of national importance:
- An episode of Legel Ranj brought bad pharmacy practice to light in early 2023. Within three months the government had changed the law regarding sale of expired medication.
- An investigative piece by Shayan Tahseen, highlighting violence against women in our society, was referenced by our Deputy President in his tweet condemning those responsible.
Appendix-6
SIGNIFICANT FOR IRAQ
These achievements show that our efforts to promote change for the better in our society are gaining traction, with more engagement from leaders and public figures than ever before.
Additionally, this July our writer, Ruwayda Mustafah, is set to meet with the Iraq’s Chief justice of the Supreme Judicial Council to promote press freedom and free speech in the region.
Our position affords us the opportunity to research, analyse and track events of national and societal interest with the benefit of an impartial perspective. This year the Rudaw Research Center continues to develop insights into our history, society, economy and more.
Appendix-7
SIGNIFICANT FOR RUDAW
This has been an incredibly significant year compared to past performance, with a 65% increase in ad revenue since last year demonstrating the growth of our audience and the impactful success of our work.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 216 words used.
Appendix-1: We've covered several international events of note since January-2021, being one of the first teams on the ground for the Ukraine war, covering changes in UK immigration policies, and updating our readers on WHO policy changes regarding COVID-19 to name a few.
Appendix-2: Our footage and reports have been broadcast internationally by highly respected networks such as our coverage of the Turkey-Syria earthquakes which were broadcast on at least 11 networks, includeing CNN, the BBC, Sky News, and Al-Jazeera
Appendix-3: Our programming is tied together by a desire to remain a force for impartiality, wellbeing, and societal change for the better, in a landscape of partisan and biased news outlets.
Appendix-4: Our engagement levels are higher than any other point in our 20 year history, and cement our position as a market leader in Iraq.
Appendix-5: We continue to strive to improve, with workshops, and progressive partnerships with Google and other international companies.
Appendix-6: Our efforts have resulted in industrial, societal and political change and involvement – a great example of how independent news organisations and freedom of press are a force for incremental, beneficial national improvements.
Appendix-7: We founded the Rudaw Research Center, which provides our journalists with training, hosts roundtable discussions, and carries out research to gain insight into our culture and society.
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