Mongabay was named a finalist for the prestigious One World Media Awards 2026, earning a place on the shortlist for the newly introduced News Content Creators Award. Selected by a panel of 60 judges from more than 20 countries, the recognition highlights Mongabay’s focus on making short-form videos engaging, while also experimenting with creative formats.
This nomination recognizes Mongabay’s original video project “Conservation Entangled,” a series that explores the historical and ongoing links between conservation and colonialism. In the shorts, contributor Izzy Sasada unpacks the forces shaping how we protect the natural world, from geopolitics and colonial legacies to the influence of social media and disinformation. By pairing compelling visuals and easily digestible stories, “Conservation Entangled” brings nuance to a complex issue, helping audiences better understand how power imbalances continue to shape conservation outcomes today.
In addition to this shortlist inclusion, Mongabay also received a Special Mention in the Print Award category for its investigation into mercury contamination in Brazil’s public food systems. The story, “Mercury Laden Shark Meat Is On The Menu In Many Brazilian Schools And Public Institutions, But Few Knew,” exposed a largely unrecognized public health issue, drawing attention to the risks posed by contaminated seafood served in institutional settings.
Impact
This distinction from One World Media places Mongabay among a small group of international media leaders producing work that demonstrates excellence, relevance, and real-world impact. Being shortlisted for the News Content Creators Award, particularly in its inaugural year, also signals growing acknowledgement of Mongabay’s innovation in multimedia journalism and its ability to engage audiences on intricate worldwide matters.
“Conservation Entangled” contributes to an expanding dialogue around decolonizing conservation, a topic that has gained increasing attention among policymakers, NGOs, and academic institutions. By elevating this discussion through widely accessible video, Mongabay helps bridge the gap between specialized discourse and public understanding.
Meanwhile, the Special Mention for the mercury story reinforces the importance of investigative environmental health reporting, particularly in contexts where risks disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Coverage of this issue has the potential to inform policy discussions, raise public awareness, and prompt further scrutiny of food safety standards in Brazil and beyond.
While Mongabay did not end up winning, the shortlist pick and special mention highlight Mongabay’s influence at the intersection of environment, health, and social justice. Mongabay’s work was featured alongside other leading projects at the One World Media Awards Ceremony 2026 on June 17 at the Ham Yard Theatre.
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Mongabay is a nonprofit environmental science and conservation news platform focused on providing original, reliable, and independent journalism from nature’s frontline. We pride ourselves on producing reporting that has substantial and tangible impacts around the world.