MUMBAI: The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) has launched its ninth annual international awards.

The awards will shine the spotlight on factual broadcasting, whether it is on radio, TV or on transmedia platforms. Entries for the 2013 AIBs are invited from all over the world and can be in any language. The last date for entry submission is 5 July.

The awards are independent of commercial interest and judged by a panel of independent media professionals.

AIB CEO Simon Spanswick said, "Winners have told us how much it means to be presented with an AIB Award. It is recognition of fantastic effort and skill given by their peers in the broadcasting industry. Being selected for the shortlist has also helped programmes to gain commercial success and programme-makers to develop their careers."

Broadcasters have bought featured programmes and producers have spotted rising talent. We?re proud to have helped talented people further their careers over the last eight years," he further added.

As well as live journalism and documentaries that inform debate, the AIB is also searching for the best in science programming, and the best children?s factual programme or series. For the second year there is an award for the best short documentary, feature or report - factual story-telling in less than ten minutes; this will represent this growing genre which is available not just from traditional broadcasters but also from online platforms such as YouTube and increasingly on the websites of newspapers and online news publishers.

Online upload and viewing capability will make the AIBs greener than in previous years. It will save entrants having to ship tapes and the judges, who are based all over the globe, will have easy access to the entries.

The winners will be announced at the AIB awards gala in London on 6 November 2013.

The AIBs also include awards for best TV and radio personality and for innovative production technology.