Sold into slavery: New Vision podcast series listed among best of 2020

RECOGNITION

A 12-part podcast that was serialized by New Vision detailing an undercover journalist's ordeal trying to get employed as a maid in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been listed as one of the best investigative podcasts of 2020.

The series, titled ‘Undercover: Sold as a slave in Dubai', saw the New Vision reporter pose as a maid to get work in Dubai, the most populous city in UAE, which is also a popular destination for employment-seeking foreigners.

The series was selected as one of the best of this year by Global Investigative Journalism Network, an international association of nonprofit organizations that support, promote and produce investigative journalism.

According to GIJN's website, the listed podcasts feature true crime stories from South Africa and Malta, investigations into France's top intelligence operatives, and a story about human trafficking in the Middle East.

New Vision's production, which tells the story of a brave female reporter who made the journey into the world of human trafficking and ended up spending a month in slavery, received plaudits.

The GIJN team praised it and said it is one worth listening to.

 "The production could use some finesse. It is well worth the listen, particularly to see what a determined newsroom can pull together," said Benon Oluka, GIJN's Africa Editor.

GIJN said that in an era of declining ad revenues and questions over the future of traditional print and broadcast models, podcasts are seeing revenues and audience numbers boom.

"For investigative journalists, podcasts offer a new platform, in a format which suits an investigative story like no other," they wrote.

Meanwhile, Max Adii, who is in charge of New Vision's podcast section, commended the entire team who were behind the production of the series for their efforts and commitment.

He said it is motivating to see that despite podcast production being in its infancy at New Vision, huge strides have been made thus far - and that being named among the best investigative podcasts of the year is testament to the even bigger potential this platform has.

New Vision started producing podcasts in January 2020 and has since registered over 10,000 downloads.

The podcasts are currently hosted on the New Vision website, the interactive mobile platform and all New Vision social media platforms.

Starting Tuesday (October 13, 2020) New Vision will start to run the ‘Undercover: Sold as a slave in Dubai' on its interactive mobile platform.

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