On June 20, 2024, the Society of Publishers in Asia recognized Voice of America in a livestream awards ceremony for the agency's contribution to the Asian media landscape. VOA Mandarin earned the prestigious Award of Excellence in Audio Reporting for its podcast series, "My Voice, Our Story: the Young Generation with White Paper in Hand."
The series explores the White Paper Movement that erupted in November 2022, in which young Chinese citizens protested against the stringent COVID-19 lockdown measures imposed by the government. The protests – widely regarded as the largest spontaneous collective action in China since the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests – demonstrated a shift in the political and social consciousness of the younger generation.
Over three episodes, the podcast follows several young individuals before, during, and after the White Paper Movement, as they embark on their own personal growth journeys. The series employs an audio documentary format. This method involves compelling personal stories, creative audio editing, and original music, pushing the boundaries of public news and personal narratives in Chinese podcasts.
“This recognition is a testament to the outstanding work and dedication of the Mandarin team,” said VOA Mandarin Service Chief Xin Chen. “We are proud of this achievement and look forward to continuing to produce impactful and compelling stories.”
The Society of Publishers in Asia was founded in Hong Kong in 1982 to encourage best practices in journalism and be a voice for press freedom in Asia. In 1999, the Society established the annual SOPA Awards for Editorial Excellence to recognize and reward great journalism.
