openDemocracy’s ‘outstanding storytelling’ wins prize at TV Journalism Awards

openDemocracy’s “outstanding storytelling” has been recognised with a win at the UK’s Royal Television Society’s Television Journalism Awards last week.

We took home the prize in the Digital Journalism category for our two-part documentary, Disciples: The Cult of TB Joshua, which was produced in collaboration with BBC Africa Eye.

Following a two-year investigation, the documentary revealed how TB Joshua, Nigeria’s most prominent Christian televangelist, had physically and sexually abused at least a dozen of his top disciples who joined his ministry in Lagos.

Announcing our victory, the RTS said: “The jury said that this was ‘outstanding storytelling’ which reached an audience known for news-avoidance.”

“I am very proud of the Africa Desk at openDemocracy, which took on the intimidating legacy of a figure whose influence over Nigerian, African and even global socio-religious culture was thought impenetrable,” said Ayodeji Rotinwa, openDemocracy’s Africa editor.

“This recognition is encouragement to journalists committed to truth-telling no matter the odds; and underscores the global importance of African stories,” Rotinwa added.

Celebrating the win, openDemocracy’s editor-in-chief, Aman Sethi, said: “Disciples epitomises how openDemocracy shapes conversations and helps people around the world fight for justice.

“We salute the incredibly brave witnesses and survivors who trusted us and BBC Africa Eye with their stories.”

Sethi added: “We’re so pleased the judges recognised the efforts of openDemocracy’s staff, particularly those in our Africa bureau. We’re a small team, but we’re committed to continuing to carry out big investigations that expose injustices around the world.”

openDemocracy first looked into allegations of abuse by TB Joshua in 2021. YouTube shut down his Emmanuel TV channel – then his church’s main platform for reaching its global audience – after we revealed he weaponised homophobic teachings to promote fake cures for what he called the “demon” of homosexuality.

Since then, we have gone on to publish a number of further investigations into the pastor and his church, including revealing how his followers have launched counter-attacks against his victims, denouncing them as “blasphemous”, “mentally ill”, and “perverted”.