Channel 4 scoops five One World Media Awards

Jon Snow with Lindsey Hilsum at the One World Media Awards ceremony.

Channel 4 was last night awarded five One World Media Awards which recognise excellence in media coverage of the developing world - more than any other media organisation. Channel 4 News International Editor Lindsey Hilsum beat off stiff competition in an all-female line up to win the coveted Journalist of the Year award.

The unanimous choice of the judges, they described Hilsum's reports from Gaza, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Congo as: "story-telling at its best... This was a master class in challenging and provocative journalism.  Her stories gave voice to the vulnerable and exposed the harm that comes from political spin and official corruption. Her work reinforces the notion of journalism as a force for progressive change." 

Critically-acclaimed foreign affairs strand, Unreported World won two awards.  The Television Award went to Unreported World: Philippines - The City with Too Many People (Quicksilver Media for Channel 4) - an expose of conditions in Manila, one of the world's most overpopulated cities and being stretched to breaking point.  The Environment Award, sponsored by the International Institute for Environment and Development, went to Unreported World: Pakistan - After the Floods (Quicksilver Media for Channel 4) - an investigation into the catastrophic consequences of this disaster long after the flood waters recede, and an expose of how incompetence and alleged corruption have caused poor areas to be flooded and rich ones protected. 

The Drama Award, which highlights the contribution of feature films and TV and radio dramas in bringing international stories to UK audiences, was won by Peter Kosminsky's critically-acclaimed Channel 4 series, The Promise, exploring Britain's role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Children's Rights Award went to C4 Dispatches: Children of Gaza.

The ceremony was hosted by Channel 4 News Presenter Jon Snow, with guest speaker Alan Duncan MP, Minister of State for International Development and attended by key figures from the media industry, government, and development NGOs.  The Awards will be broadcast to a global audience on BBC World News on 14 and 15 May.