October 17 2010: The Doha Debates, Qatar's unique forum for free speech, have been shortlisted for two prestigious awards by the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB). The quality and innovation of the thought-provoking Doha Debates gained further international recognition after being shortlisted for two categories at the AIB's international media awards. The awards celebrate excellence in global programme making for television, radio and online material and will be held in London on November 9 this year. The 2010 awards attracted a record number of entries, with many coming from broadcasters and independent producers who have entered for the first time. The AIB Awards are judged by international panels drawn from the broadcasting industry – ensuring peer review of programming – as well as radio and TV critics, representing the audience’s perspective. The Debates' Chairman Tim Sebastian cemented his standing as one of the most acclaimed TV journalists after being shortlisted for personality of the year. The criteria for this award are ‘a presenter who is the most engaging personality on air today, passionate about their craft and also passionate about their audience. They must come across to the audience as someone they can rely on to tell it as it is’. He has previously won the Royal Television Society’s Interviewer of the Year award on two occasions and Television Journalist of the Year award once. Tim Sebastian said “being shortlisted for not one but two AIB awards is a tribute to everyone who supports The Doha Debates; both those who are behind the making of the shows and also our audiences. The fact that the AIB is an organisation with an international presence demonstrates how The Doha Debates are of relevance and interest not just to the region but worldwide.” The hard-hitting Hamas meets Fatah Special, which was screened in March 2010, is up for the most creative specialist genre award. At the Special event, senior leaders from Hamas and Fatah resumed face to face talks for the first time after several months of political deadlock. ILQ News

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