PCJ Radio JOB POSTING!

PCJ Radio is looking for a freelance news presenter.

QUALIFICATIONS:

English with the capability to translate from Chinese.

Accent: Australian, British, South African, American

Experience in front of a microphone.

Must be located in Taipei.

Must be able to work 2 hours a week.

Have knowledge of news in the Asia/Pacific.

Must have knowledge in international broadcasting.

For more information contact Keith Perron at keith.perron@pcjmedia.com

(Source : PCJ Media)

EBU extends cooperation with Upsolut Event GmbH to broadcast the Vattenfall Cyclassics for four more years

Geneva, 26 April 2012 – The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Upsolut Event GmbH have renewed an agreement on the worldwide media rights to the 2012-2015 Vattenfall Cyclassics, a cycling race forming part of the UCI World Tour.

The four-year agreement with race organizer Upsolut Event GmbH enhances the EBU's extensive cycling offer and will ensure comprehensive coverage of the race for cycling fans around the world.

EBU Director Sports & Business Stefan Kuerten said: "This agreement demonstrates the commitment of the EBU and its Members to the sport of cycling, while reflecting the importance of wide-reaching, free-to-air exposure of this event."

Upsolut Event GmbH Managing Director Franck Bertling added:"The renewal for another four years reflects the firm mutual trust between the EBU and its Members and the Vattenfall Cyclassics. It is also indicative of the high TV and media interest in our event, as well as the appreciation of EBU Members for our high quality TV product, which we have been delivering for many years."

(Source : European Broadcasting Union)

South Sudan: Jonglei state to open radio station next months

Dr Marial (right) meeting the Jonglei deputy governor.
[Photo: Ajang Monychol]

JUBA, 27 April 2012 (NASS) – The deputy governor of Jonglei state, Honorable Hussein Mar today announced that his state will soon be opening one of the biggest radio stations in the country.

He made this announcement shortly after meeting with the minister for Information and Broadcasting, Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin. He said the state is finishing the necessary arrangements and will hopefully open between June and July.

He as well voiced concern over the lack of professionals to handle the station, asking the government to help in the areas of capacity building and facilities to make work easier noting that they have only one car in the whole ministry.

Hon Mar further disclosed that the security situation in the state is calm and the disarmament process is going well though challenges are still there.

On his part, Dr Marial promised the government in Jonglei cars and cameras to help coverage of this big state. He also requested the government in Jonglei state to send some of the reporters and editors to Juba so that they are attached to SSTV and Radio for training.

(Source : Official website of Govt. of the Republic of South Sudan)

Commonwealth Broadcasting Association Re-elects Moneeza Hashmi as President

Moneeza Hashmi, General Manager International Relations HUM TV Pakistan has been unanimously re elected for a second term as President of the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association.

The elections were held at the 29th Conference of the CBA recently concluded in Brisbane, Australia.

Ms Hashmi's electronic media career spans more than four decades and she headed the programming division of Pakistan Television Corporation before joining HUM TV network in 2005. She was awarded the President of Pakistan's Pride of Performance award in 2002 for services rendered on the electronic media. She has represented Pakistan on many national and international forums and is a well respected figure in the Pakistani Media.

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

Japan bolsters ITU’s emergency communications capacity

Japan has made a financial contribution to ITU amounting to more than 170,000USD to strengthen its emergency communications capability.

In a statement, the Government of Japan said: “We would like to contribute to the ITU Framework for Cooperation in Emergencies (IFCE). Since we greatly benefitted from the IFCE after the Great East Japan Earthquake, we truly understand the importance of IFCE. We hope our contribution will be utilized for Member States that are affected by disasters and need communication measures.”

ITU deployed broadband satellite terminals to Japan in the immediate aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit the north eastern coast of Japan in March 2011.

“The people of Japan deserve great praise for the way they dealt with the crisis that enveloped their lives following the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, and my heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the bereaved and to those who lost their property and their livelihoods,” said ITU Secretary General Hamadoun Touré. “I am grateful that the Government of Japan, which is still recovering from such a massive disaster, is contributing generously to our humanitarian activities.”

Marking the anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Japan hosted a Symposium on the use of telecommunications/ICT before and during emergencies. “I was touched by Japan's generosity when they sponsored the participation of many developing countries to an information- sharing Symposium,” said Brahima Sanou, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau. “I call upon other partners to emulate Japan’s initiative to support ITU’s emergency communications and to help save lives of millions of people across the globe.”

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

The Media Network years: the 1980s

Media Network, which covered international broadcasting developments, recently ended a 30-year run on RNW. In a series of four articles, Andy Sennitt mentions some of the highlights, and then looks ahead to how international broadcasting might develop in the next ten years.

Part One: The 1980s

When Media Network started in 1981, little did we know that it would be the last decade of the Cold War. I was assistant editor of the World Radio TV Handbook (WRTH) at the time, based in Copenhagen because the editor, Jens Frost, was Danish. I was already on the air with a weekly news update from the WRTH editorial office via World Music Radio, a private venture that broadcast via the shortwave transmitter of Radio Andorra. Jonathan Marks had just joined Radio Nederland, as it was still called, and soon took over as host and producer of the popular DX Jukebox show.

Jonathan’s vision was of a programme that would interest a wider audience than the shortwave listeners and DXers who formed the bulk of the DX Jukebox audience. Many international broadcasters had similar shows, largely consisting of ‘DX tips’ sent in by listeners to tell other listeners what they had heard. Media Network was designed to focus on why a station was on the air, rather than just telling people how to hear it. I was invited to become part of the team, eventually totalling several hundred people, who contributed to the programme.

Politics prevailed
Most international broadcasts at the time had a political purpose, and the biggest international broadcaster of all was Radio Moscow, which had dozens of shortwave transmitting stations all over the USSR. In those days, the Soviet authorities didn’t publish their frequencies, and at the start of each new broadcast period other international broadcasters spent a few frantic days assessing which of their frequencies had to be changed to avoid interference from the Russians.

 

There was another Moscow-based operation called Radio Station Peace and Progress, which described itself as the Voice of Soviet Public Opinion. In fact, this was just another service of Radio Moscow, even sharing some of the same announcers. It gave the Soviet authorities the opportunity to put across different ideas to gauge international reaction, without them being seen as directly reflecting government policy - in other words, a sounding board. There were also a number of smaller external services from the constituent republics of the USSR. These stations tended to focus more on regional and cultural issues.

The Chinese also had a large external service, still called Radio Peking at that time. Its programme format was dreadfully old-fashioned, each broadcast beginning with a quotation from Chairman Mao. News bulletins often consisted of reading out the names of all the party officials who had attended an important function. Four years at the BBC Monitoring Service had taught me how important this seemingly boring ritual was. The order in which the names were read out gave foreign observers vital information about who was rising up the party ranks. A lot of important diplomatic information was conveyed in this way, also by the Soviets.

Full Story

(Source : Radio Netherlands Worldwide)

Radio Tavisupleba Media School Opens In Georgia

TBILISI, Georgia -- Twenty aspiring journalists in Georgia are set to begin a year of hands-on training in modern media. RFE/RL’s Georgian Service, Radio Tavisupleba, is partnering with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and IREX to launch the Radio Tavisupleba Media School, a new one-year certificate program in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.  ​​

The certificate program is part of the G-MEDIA project and is open to students of all ages and from all professional and academic backgrounds. A highlight of the program is the facility -- the new, ultra-modern Multimedia Education Center. The building was designed and built specifically for G-MEDIA and is outfitted with the latest in media production technology.

"The school will offer students hands-on training and education in multimedia production, digital media, and editorial policy," says Radio Tavisupleba Director David Kakabadze. "Students will produce content for radio, television, and the web -- the best of which will also be showcased by Radio Tavisupleba.”

In addition to the education center, Radio Tavisupleba now offers a "learning-by-doing" externship at its Tbilisi bureau, open to experienced journalists who seek further professional development. Successful applicants will work side-by-side with RFE/RL staff for two months, producing content across all platforms, and learn tools of the trade from journalists with decades of experience.

“This school and internship program will give Georgia’s next generation of journalists the sort of training that they can’t get anywhere else," says RFE/RL President Steve Korn, who was on hand for the school’s official opening in March. “Our journalists represent the height of professionalism, and these programs are testament to that.”

For more news from RFE/RL's Georgian Service click here. 

(Source : Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)

Mother's Day digital radio ad campaign begins in Australia

The commercial radio industry continues to drive the promotion of digital radio with Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) launching a series of radio advertisements featuring special tags for two key retailers promoting digital radio for Mother’s Day.

The radio campaign which begins this week on high rotation for three weeks, across 42 commercial radio stations in the five digital radio metropolitan markets of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, is supported by online banners, retailer brochures and social media.

Commercial Radio Australia chief executive officer, Joan Warner said; “Dick Smith and Myer are being acknowledged specifically in the Mother’s Day ad campaign in recognition of extra levels of support and promotional activity of the digital radio category during this Mother’s Day retail cycle.”

Digital radio devices have defied the Australian retail slump with nearly 800,000* sold in the last two and a half years. 

Ms Warner believes digital radio sales continue to rise as manufacturers are bringing affordable and innovative models to market.

“The 2011 Christmas and New Year digital radio sales period was the most successful since launch. We hope our continued collaboration with retailers to promote digital radio to listeners will result in another positive spike in sales,” said Ms Warner.

The Mother’s Day ads were written by the award winning radio specialist agency, Eardrum creative director Ralph van Dijk.

Animated online banner ads complementing the radio campaign will run on all metropolitan commercial station websites and on www.digitalradioplus.com.au. Exclusive promotional offers will be offered in store by Dick Smith and Myer throughout the Mother’s Day ad campaign.

To listen to the new digital radio ads click here.

For further information on digital radio visit:  www.digitalradioplus.com.au

Media contact Melissa Fleming, CRA PR Manager Digital on – 0417 499 529.

Background – Latest DAB+ Announcements

• Official data relating to digital radio broadcasts in Australia was released by Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) in the Digital Radio Industry Report 2012, showing there are 1.2 million** people listening to digital radio in an average week (up from 449.000 in 2009), in the five state metropolitan capitals of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide and nearly 800,000* digital radios in the market (up from around 104,000 in 2009).

* GfK Marketcope Report to January 2012.
**Source: The Nielsen Company Radio Ratings. How Listened. Mon-Sun 5.30am-12midnight. Survey #2, 2012 SMBAP.

(Source: Commercial Radio Australia)

Croatian telecom regulator launches eBroadcasting service

The Croatian Agency for Post and Electronic Communications (HAKOM) has launched the eBroadcasting service, which is intended for radio broadcasters and operators who provide services via the terrestrial transmitter network. It can be accessed from the regulator's website. This service makes it easier and faster to file and process licence applications for the use of radio frequency spectrum for the 157 existing radio broadcasters, but also for future operators. The process of application and issuance of permits will be twice as fast on average than the conventional procedure using paper documents, and should take 10-15 days. 

(Source : TELECOM PAPER)

Victor Ashe offers his email address for public comments on U.S. international broadcasting

Often referred to as a senior Republican member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), Ambassador Victor Ashe has invited the public, including BBG employees and contractors, to send comments to his personal email address, Send an e-mail to BBG member Victor Ashe, on the controversial plan to merge BBG-managed Radio Free Asia (RFA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN) into a single administrative unit. 

Ashe has become a champion of transparency and raising employee morale at the federal agency which oversees U.S. international broadcasting. He is one of nine members serving on the bipartisan Board. In the absence of Michael Lynton, the BBG’s interim presiding governor, the meeting in Miami was presided over by Governor Dennis Mulhaupt. Governor Dana Perino was also absent. Both Lynton and Perino have a poor attendance record at BBG meetings. Lynton is a Democrat. Mulhaupt and Perino are Republicans.

Read More

(Source : BBG Watch)

RNW supervisor responds to negative publicity

Ben Bot, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Radio Netherlands Worldwide, has issued a statement in response to recent developments in the drastic restructuring of the organisation. On behalf of the Supervisory Board and RNW's directors, he expresses regret at the negative publicity that has emerged.

In his statement, Mr Bot points out that the Netherlands’ international broadcaster is facing the most turbulent period in its 65-year history. The prospect of 70 percent budget cuts has prompted emotions and given rise to painful and difficult choices.

Touching on the recent resignation of the Editor-in-Chief Rik Rensen and his deputy Ardi Bouwers, Mr Bot observes that the plan for the future of RNW currently on the table not only had the full backing of the editors-in-chief but was also largely written by them.

In response to the news of a possible million-euro golden handshake for General Director Jan Hoek, the statement says Mr Hoek has indicated that the established terms and conditions governing his position will be the subject of future discussions.

After stating that the Supervisory Board, like the Works Council, wishes to distance itself from inaccurate reports, Mr Bot’s response concludes by emphasising that most of the staff at Radio Netherlands Worldwide are working hard to bring the organisation in its current form to a fitting end and to ensure that the new slimmed-down RNW gets off to a good start. 

(Source : RNW)

RNW: Vote for the most special time radio and win a shortwave radio and the book

Radio took 65 years the news closely. We painted a picture of the Netherlands for you, the Dutch listeners. Now you must decide which fragment when it is most unusual in history.

We have a selection of our treasury to sound done. Some fragments are big news, others are "typical Worldwide". During the last Dutch broadcast on May 11, we announce the fragment is chosen by the public as the most remarkable of the age of 65 Dutch-language broadcasts.

Vote and win a shortwave radio and the book "Your relationship with the Netherlands" with stories of Dutch emigrants (unfortunately not visible on iPhones and the iPhone App).

 

Read more in Dutch language

 

(Source : RNW Dutch Service via Google Translator)

OIC TV channel to counter Islamophobia

The 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) announced its plan to establish a satellite channel and promote investment in the media to fight Islamophobia and enhance exchange of information among the member states, arabnews.com reports.

“We have a number of important proposals to strengthen Islamic media activities, including the launch of an OIC satellite channel,” OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu told a conference of information ministers from the Islamic world.

The OIC chief also called on Muslim businessmen and women to finance the new channel as well as to invest in major media organizations that are already successfully making substantial profits in order to “exchange information and news of the Islamic world and project the true picture of Islam.”

The OIC says the forum will also enhance the exchange of information, ideas and expertise on issues of common interest in the areas related to the services of the audiovisual media sector.

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

RNW editor-in-chief resigns

Radio Netherlands Worldwide’s Editor-in-Chief Rik Rensen and his deputy, Ardi Bouwers, are to leave the organisation. They say they will not serve as part of the new slimmed-down RNW which is to become operational from 1 January 2013. RNW’s annual government subsidy of 46 million euros was slashed last year to just 14 million.

Earlier this week, Rensen and Bouwers wrote to RNW’s board of commissioners, saying they had “serious worries about the lack of vision and urgency” in turning RNW into a more flexible and market-orientated company. The board failed to answer the letter and this has lead to Rensen and Bouwers’ decision to leave RNW.

Insurmountable doubts
A statement to staff explains:

“Rik Rensen and Ardi Bouwers have unfortunately decided not to put themselves forward for positions in the new RNW and also to resign from the steering group - which is overseeing the restructuring process. They will remain in their posts as editors-in-chief until replacements can be found.”

The statement says that Rensen and Bouwers have “insurmountable doubts” about how the preparations for the new company are going. They are most worried about the lack of explicit guarantees of journalistic independence, the tempo of building up the new organisation, and its eventual make-up. They also believe that issues including the development of new programme formats, the search for additional funds – besides government subsidies - and clinching contracts with media partners should now be addressed with urgency.

Shared criticism
The editors of all editorial departments at RNW say they share the criticism. In a letter written a fortnight ago, the editors brought the crisis within the company to the attention of the board of commissioners. The board has still not replied to this letter.

The departure of the editors-in-chief has led to RNW’s Editorial Council losing confidence in the steering group. “We believe journalistic independence is no longer sufficiently guaranteed – neither in the ‘new’ RNW, nor in the steering group which has to shape the new company.” The council is also critical of the board of commissioners: “So far, it has showed too little understanding of the worries of RNW staff”.

(Source : Radio Netherlands Worldwide)

‘Million-euro golden handshake’ for RNW director

Dutch daily NRC Handelsblad reports that Radio Netherlands Worldwide General Director Jan Hoek could receive a golden handshake worth over one million euros when he leaves the international public broadcaster.

The cabinet has cut the RNW budget from 46 million euros to just 14 million as part of a raft of austerity measures. The unions have agreed a redundancy package for the 270 employees – out of a total of 350 – who will be dismissed. A new slimmed-down RNW is due to begin operating in January 2013.

Jan Hoek has indicated that he does not intend to stay on in the new organisation. Under the terms of the general redundancy agreement, he would be entitled to a lump sum of about 450,000 euros. That amount could rise considerably, however, because of an arrangement he made with the board of commissioners when he was appointed director general. The arrangement entitles him to a premium if he were forced to leave.

In response to the NRC report, Fons van Westerloo, a member of RNW’s board of commissioners, says the general director is prepared to accept smaller redundancy package – of between 450,000 and one million euros. Mr Van Westerloo says Mr Hoek could, according to his contract, insist on being paid in excess of one million euros. The same contract, however, states that the amount has to be approved by Culture Minister Marja van Bijsterveldt.

Agreements
Jan Hoek has neither confirmed nor denied the size of the amount. He told NRC that “if agreements were concluded in the past which could lead to entitlements in the future, then whether or not these entitlements are claimed also lies in the future." Chairman of the board of commissioners, former foreign minister Ben Bot, has refused to comment.

The cabinet has put forward legislation to cap golden handshakes for executives in the public sector following strong pressure from parliament. However, the new Standardisation of Top Incomes bill is still being considered by the Council of State, the government’s most senior advisory body - and in any case would only affect new agreements.

Free speech
The new, slimmed-down, Radio Netherlands will under the foreign ministry as of next year and will focus exclusively on providing impartial information to countries without a free press.

Read more RNW news

(Source : Radio Netherlands Worldwide)

Controversial BBG grantee merger plan report is available online

During its meeting at the headquarters of Radio and TV Martí in Miami on April 20, the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) discussed the plan to merge administrative functions of the surrogate broadcasters — Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks.

The merger plan is highly controversial. Critics of the plan argue that the surrogate broadcasters have been successful in large part due to their independence and regional specialization. These broadcasters were established by various U.S. administrations and the U.S. Congress to operate independently. Their independence has always been viewed as their greatest asset in serving information needs of people living in countries without free media.

Here are some of the major points made by the critics of the merger:

Bureaucrats and bureaucratic generalists will replace professionals who are experts on their target countries and regions and care deeply about their specific missions.

There are strong concerns that BBG and IBB executives want to take control over the surrogate broadcasters and to limit public and Congressional scrutiny.

The same BBG and IBB executives who drafted the merger proposal also wanted to end radio and television broadcasts to Tibet and proposed other cuts to U.S. international broadcasting while protecting and expanding their bureaucratic operations. Due to overwhelming public criticism, the Board rejected their proposed programming cuts to Tibet and China. 

The proposed merger could become an administrative disaster if the same officials are in charge of implementing the plan and are put in charge of the new administrative structure.

The projected savings are questionable and the final costs of the merger could be much higher due to expected administrative complications resulting from the merger.

It is unclear how the new CEO would be selected.

The role of the International Broadcasting Bureau with its director, deputy director and a growing number of highly-paid officials is not explained in the merger proposal.

A reform of IBB could achieve much greater savings for U.S. taxpayers without undermining the independence and effectiveness of the surrogate broadcasters. 

IBB executives are wasting millions of dollars and pay themselves high bonuses despite being rated in OPM employee opinion surveys as the worst leaders and managers in the entire federal government. Putting them in charge of the merger represent a serious risk to U.S. international broadcasting assets which are also national security assets.

The BBG is also planning to waste millions of dollars on the redundant Global News Network.

Even individual BBG members have strong misgivings about the merger plan and the Global News Network.

Heads of some of the surrogate broadcasters have also expressed strong misgivings about the merger plan. They fear that the plan will make their organizations much less effective.

The official BBG announcement says:

“The consolidation would combine certain behind-the-scenes functions at the media outlets supported by grants from the BBG — Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks. The top management of these grantees, together with key BBG senior staff, teamed up to produce a plan based on directions from the Board in a resolution passed in January. Their work will be reviewed by all Board members and discussed at a meeting of the Strategy and Budget Committee in late May. The interim report is to be posted for public comment by May 1.”

The interim report can be viewed here: Click to View

(Source : BBG Watch)

UK: Radio Beca awarded community radio licence

Ofcom has announced the award of a community radio licence to Radio Beca, which will cover west Wales.

The station is led by Geraint Davies, a former presenter at Radio Ceredigion, who earlier this year also submitted an application for the re-advertised commercial radio licence for Ceredigion.

Radio Beca will broadcast predominately in Welsh and will cover Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and north Pembrokeshire.

Radio Ceredigion was refused a request by Ofcom last year to cut the level of its Welsh language output, leading owners Town and Country Broadcasting to opt for a full re-advertisement of the licence so that they could reapply for it with a new format.

Mr Davies told the BBC that the decision to form Radio Beca was taken after Radio Ceredigion was taken over in 2010. “Winning the licence is a very exciting prospect because we’re not just covering one area, we’ll be covering three – Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and north Pembrokeshire,” he said. “Granting this licence is a major departure for Ofcom because in the past they have limited community radio coverage to a 5km (3m) radius of their home bases.”

Radio Beca is the 247th community radio licence to be issued by Ofcom and the station is expected to start broadcasts within two years.

It’s not clear whether the award of a community radio licence to Mr Davies’ group will affect his application for the commercial radio licence for Ceredigion. Radio Beca had made the community radio application last year. Organisations and individuals are not currently permitted to hold both types of licence at the same time.

(Source : Radio Today, UK)

Community radio debated in Scottish Parliament

Members of the Scottish Parliament have praised the efforts of community radio groups in their areas – and pledged more support to help them continue their activities

MSP Christine Grahame (SNP) told MSPs in a debate on Thursday 19 April that community radio provided 2,500 volunteering opportunities in Scotland and was good for the communities they serve. Ms Grahame references community radio stations Black Diamond FM and TD1 Radio, both in her constituency.

Ms Grahame led the debate entitled Community radio coming from a station near you. Her motion stated that community radio does excellent voluntary work across Scotland in training, education and developing individual skills. She called for the Scottish government to work constructively with the network.

Culture and External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop said it was a “remarkable sector” and it served the under-served and gave voices to local communities and she looked forward to working with it.

Read more

(Source : Community Media Association, UK)

RNW: Worldwide chief leaves for unknown rate

Editor Rik Rensen and his deputy to leave Bernardi Builders Worldwide. They will not return in the new slimmed Worldwide from 1 January in business should be.

 

Rensen and Builders this week sent an urgent letter to the Board of Trustees of Radio. It gave them expressing a "huge worry to worry about" the lack of vision and urgency "to the World Service in order to create" a flexible and market-oriented company. The Supervisory Board did not respond to the letter. That is both reason to stop.

 

Doubts on price
In a statement to the staff: "Rick Leonardi and have unfortunately decided not to be available for positions in the new Worldwide and also their place in the Steering Committee (which prepares the new organization) to give up. They continue working as chief editor for the daily affairs until a new leadership. "

 

According to the statement, Rensen and Builders' insurmountable doubts "in completing the course. It is mainly about the explicit assurance of editorial independence, the pace of construction and completion of the new organization. Moreover, they find that there is now rapidly should be started including the development of new program formats, the preparations for the acquisition of additional money and contracts with media partners.

 

Regrettable
The other Board members find it extremely regrettable that Rick Leonardi and retreat, but "respect their decision. The eight editorial heads of Radio show in a reaction that the departure 'very regrettable' to find.

They say the step to understand and critique the functioning of the Steering Committee fully endorse. Two weeks ago, the heads of the Supervisory Board on the crisis within the company noted. The Council on fire that letter still not responded. " The chiefs say they are to deliberate on the crisis and the steps to take.

Lack of trust
The resignation of the chief editors for the Editorial Board of Radio reason for confidence in the Steering Committee to say. "The journalistic independence is believed to no longer sufficiently guaranteed. Not with the 'new' Worldwide and also not at the Steering Committee, this should work. The possible entry of other journalists - internal or external - to the Steering Committee will play in our opinion not change. "

The Editorial Board is also said to have lost confidence in the Board of Trustees. "This has so far shown little sympathy for the concerns of life among the employees of Radio."

 

Premium Departure Director
NRC Handelsblad reported earlier today that John Hook at his departure as CEO of Worldwide more than one million may collect. In a comment late Fons Westerloo member of the Board of Trustees know that Angle is preparing to leave with a lower premium to take pleasure. That would, according to Van Westerloo tantamount to an amount between 4.5 tonnes and one million.

 

According to Van Hoek Westerloo has under its contract right to a premium of more than one million. But the contract also stated that the application must be submitted first to the minister. The Supervisory Board will therefore first departure scheme to submit to CDA Minister Van Bijsterveldt of Education, Culture and Science.

 

Reorganization
Jan Hoek has indicated not to return in the new organization of the Worldwide. According to the Board of Trustees of Radio he works only current affairs. He can like all workers rely on the social plan. That would amount to an amount of about 4.5 tons. But the departure of angle is probably cost more because he has a separate arrangement.

 

Worldwide, the government must drastically reorganize and cut costs. From 2013 the annual budget drops from 46 to 14 million. Of the 350 employees, 270 layoffs. For the staff to be away, with the unions agreed a social plan.

Original news in Dutch language
 
(Source : RNW Dutch Service via Google translator) 

ABU Green Broadcast Engineering Award

The ABU Green Broadcast Engineering Award is directed at individuals or organisations from all segments of the broadcasting industry within the ABU region, including the staff of ABU members, ABU affiliate members and their former staff.

The award is conferred to recognise contributions of an outstanding nature in developing, implementing and / or promoting green technology in the broadcasting industry and creating tangible benefits in the process. The award, comprising a trophy and a cash prize, will be presented at the award ceremony in the opening session of this year’s Technical Committee meeting.

The recipient will receive a trophy, which will be presented during the Opening Session of the Technical Committee Meeting proceeding in Seoul on 12 October; and a cash prize of USD 2000.00.

We encourage you to identify suitable nominees from your organisation and to provide us with nominations for the award.  The nomination form for the award can be found by clicking on the link below and the closing date for nominations to reach the ABU is 30 June 2012.

We also invite our industry partners to consider providing suitable nominations from their own organisations. 

For Nomination Forms please click here. 

Nominations may be submitted by fax or email to:
 
The Director, ABU Technology
Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union
Fax: +6 03 2282 4606
E-mail: sharad.s@abu.org.my, geraldine@abu.org.my

 

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

EBU backs new global broadcasting initiative

Geneva, 19 April, 2012 - The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has joined 12 other international broadcasting bodies in founding the landmark Future of Broadcast Television (FOBTV) initiative in Las Vegas.

Reflecting the EBU's position, FOBTV stresses the unique attributes of terrestrial broadcasting as a flexible and efficient means of wireless media delivery. Its participants want to facilitate the evolution of broadcasting technology to ensure its long term viability and relevance.

EBU Technology & Development Director Lieven Vermaele signed an FOBTV Memorandum of Understanding at the NAB Show®, this week. He then addressed a session dedicated to the initiative, where he focused on the value of terrestrial broadcasting to society. 

After his presentation he said: “Terrestrial broadcasting and mobile broadband are both important but neither technology alone will be able to meet future demand for wireless media. We need to innovate using them together, in a complementary way. Broadcast can be the backbone as it can deliver the coverage, quality of service and capacity we will increasingly need. Broadband will extend the range of services and enable access to all categories of user device.”

The FOBTV initiative builds on last November's Future of Broadcast TV Summit, in Shanghai, China, where broadcast leaders formed a framework for the evolution of digital terrestrial television. 

The new Memorandum of Understanding sets out five objectives for the FOBTV initiative:

1. Develop ecosystem models for terrestrial broadcasting, taking into account business, regulatory and technical aspects;
2. Develop requirements for next generation terrestrial broadcast systems, taking into account the needs of a connected society and maximizing the efficient use of spectrum;
3. Foster collaboration between digital TV development laboratories;
4. Recommend major technologies that can be used as the basis for unified new standards;
5. Request standardization of technologies by appropriate organizations, such as DVB, ATSC, ARIB, and others.

The DVB Project, the digital TV standards body hosted by the EBU, is also a signatory of the FOBTV agreement. The others are the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC); Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC); Communications Research Center (CRC); Electronics & Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI); Globo TV Network; IEEE Broadcast Technology Society; National Association of Broadcasters (NAB); National Engineering Research Center of Digital TV of China (NERC-DTV); NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories; Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and the Brazilian Society of Television Engineering (SET).

(Source : European Broadcasting Union)

BBG considers new strategy and reversal of planned broadcasting cuts to China and Tibet

In response to overwhelming criticism from human rights groups, journalists and one of its members, the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) will consider a new China strategy and reversal of its planned cuts to Voice of America (VOA) Tibetan and Chinese broadcasts and online news content.

The BBG Strategy and Budget Committee has requested and received a new China strategy document from a working group composed of BBG and International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) officials and the heads of the Voice of America and Radio Free Asia (RFA). One of the recommendations in the new strategy document is the restoration of all funding for China broadcasts, a major reversal of the executive staff’s earlier position. This includes VOA Tibetan radio and its online radio news content and all of VOA Cantonese radio, television and Internet news.

Echoing the warnings of their critics often expressed on the unofficial BBG Watch website, the BBG and IBB executive staff has now concluded that “As America’s focus on China’s role in the world sharpens, the BBG must develop a more global vision for China.” “Failure to reach out to China’s 1.3 billion people cannot be an option for the United States at this point in history,” the new BBG China strategy document states.

The new China strategy document also states that “VOA and RFA will maintain a robust radio presence, delivering programming via SW [shortwave] as well as via two separate satellite paths.” The content and the tone of the new document represent a drastic departure from previous strategy papers produced by the BBG and IBB executive staff.

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(Source : BBG Watch)

Radio Pakistan has entered into a digital era: DG PBC

Director-General Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Murtaza Solangi has said that Radio Pakistan has entered into digital era and now its programmes are available for people through different platforms.

He was participating in Kay-2 television's live programme "K-2 Lounge"‚ which was devoted to revival of Radio Pakistan in modern era". Prominent broadcaster Kanwal Naseer and President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist Parvez Shaukat also participated in the programme.

The Director-General said apart from radio receivers‚ our broadcast can also be listened or watched through mobile phone sets and live streaming through internet enabled smart phones. He said Radio Pakistan is the only Government organization that has a bilingual website and its programmes and news can be accessed in text‚ audio or video format.

When his attention was drawn towards golden age of radio drama and music‚ Mr. Murtaza Solangi said things have changed in this era of commercialization when both people and artists have different options. He said Radio Pakistan's financial constraints are major hurdle in attracting the right kind of talent and artists.

To a question he said Radio Pakistan's annual budget is not enough even to pay salaries and pensions worth 3.8 billion rupees. He said nowhere in the world a public broadcasting institution like that of Radio Pakistan functions without Government support.

The Director-General Radio Pakistan said unfortunately in 1989 the license fee of the organization was ended through Finance Bill by the then Government.

Responding to question by a listener‚ he strongly dispelled the impression that medium wave transmitters were being closed and said there are parts of the country especially Balochistan where even thousands of FM transmitters would not do the job that a few medium-wave can do. He‚ however‚ pointed out that for establishment of medium-wave transmitters; Radio Pakistan needs funds which are not forthcoming. He said despite resource constraints‚ Radio Pakistan is installing a 400 KW transmitter in Peshawar and 100 in Dera Ismail Khan through US-AID funding.

Parvez Shaukat and Kanwal Naseer urged the Government to provide necessary resources to Radio Pakistan as it still has wider reach than all other media organizations. They supported proposals for self-financing of Radio Pakistan.

(Source : Radio Pakistan)

Indonesia to Host Asia Media Summit 2013

Indonesia will host the Asia Media Summit (AMS) 2013 in the city of Manado. This was announced at the Preparatory Meeting of the AMS 2013 on April 16 2012 in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The AMS 2013 will be organized by AIBD and jointed hosted by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT), Indonesia and the Government of Manado City.

On the sidelines of the Preparatory Meeting, AIBD team has inspected the potential venues in Manado to host the AMS, which will be held at the end of May 2013.

Manado is the capital of the North Sulawesi province of Indonesia. It has an epithet that is "The Land of Smiling People", which highlights Manado as a friendly place to visit. Manado offers a rich culture, culinary delights, and a beautiful landscape. It is also famous throughout the region for its diving areas.

(Source : Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development)

HD Radio Launches in Mexico City

Some 65 people crowded into the Radio Pit in the Central Hall at the NAB Show Tuesday to celebrate the launch of HD Radio in Mexico City, the first of several planned HD Radio launches in Mexico. 

Speeches among Mexican and American broadcasters were conducted in Spanish and English.

IBiquity Digital, retailers, receiver manufacturers and broadcasters in that city have coordinated efforts to promote digital radio to the public following the broadcast launch April 16. 

Stations from three licensees are broadcasting FM HD Radio signals now and more are expected to launch soon. Alpine, Insignia, Kenwood and Pioneer brands are available for purchase from Best Buy, Coppel, Liverpool, Sears and Woolworth retailers. Select new models from Ford and Toyota are available at car dealerships. 

Developer iBiquity created a special Web page for the Mexican market. The site will inform the public which stations are on the air with a digital signal, as well as promote products and retailer availability. 

(Source : Radio World)

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India recommends minimum channel spacing for FM radio; Industry opposes the proposal

MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today released the recommendations on “Prescribing Minimum Channel spacing, within a License Service area, in FM Radio Sector in India.” 

The frequencies for FM Radio channels within a license service area may be released with a minimum spacing of 400KHz. 

A Trai press note said that the FM channels, operating with channel spacing of 400KHz, should be radiated from effectively co-located sites and transmitted with equal power. The exact allocation of frequencies may be done taking into account the frequencies and power of the existing setups/already allocated frequencies in the adjacent license service areas so that the criteria for frequency re-use are satisfied. All the future planning of allocation of frequencies and development of the infrastructure should be done accordingly. 

With A and A+ cities demanding more FM channel even after the announcement of the Phase III guidelines, Trai had sought the opinion of stakeholders whether it would be acceptable if the minimum channel spacing within a license service area can reduced from the current level of 800 KHz. 

The ministry of Information and Broadcasting had requested Trai to reconsider the issue of minimum channel spacing within a license service area in the FM radio sector. The minimum channel spacing i.e. the frequency separation between the adjacent channels’ carrier frequencies is an important parameter which determines faithful reception of individual channels at the listeners FM radio receiver set. With the improvement in the quality of Radio receivers, penetration of digital services such as mobile sets among the masses and alternate designs of the FM Radio transmitter setups, it is now technically feasible to transmit more FM Radio channels with reduced channel spacing in a given license service area. 

All FM operators except Radio Mirchi, have cited cost escalation, devaluation of current radio business and negative impact on the quality of sound of current stations as the reasons for not supporting the move. Those who have not supported the proposal are FM arms of media houses like HT Media (Fever FM), TV Today Network (Oye FM), Next Media Works (Radio One) and Music Broadcast (Radio City). 

Speaking in support Radio Mirchi said, “The TRAI’s recommendations on Phase III and minimum channel spacing of FM radio are progressive in nature and if they are accepted by the Government in spirit, it will mean rapid proliferation of private FM radio on a far larger scale than what we have seen in Phase II – reaching out to the fringe populations of our country. In light of this, our submission is that the operating control of the private FM radio companies should vest with Indian companies and Indian citizens. Foreign controlling ownership, i.e. equal or greater than 25% would mean that editorial and content control no longer rests with Indian citizens.” 

Justifying its stance against the proposal Radio City said, “All existing broadcasters have license periods for 10 years. Under the Phase III policy, the new broadcasters will be granted license of 15 years. The survival of the existing radio industry is critical and with this differentiation in the license term the value of the existing broadcasters will have a huge adverse impact. The present radio broadcasters have immensely contributed towards the development of society and such discrimination will be detrimental towards the interest of the existing broadcasters. Additional frequencies will lead to multiple channels in cities wherein the current players are struggling to break-even. The cost of running a station is very high and with decreasing revenues, the radio industry will become unviable.” 

“ Implications of reducing will mean new licenses will have 15 years and existing players will have 10. This will kill market share and valuation of existing players. Only way to allow this is if existing players are given co terminus of 15 year license with new players. Only then it’s a level playing field. Existing players will determine success or failure of phase 3. It is not likely that many new entrants will be there given the economic slowdown,” said Radio One.

(Source : Radioandmusic)

Voice of Turkey plans to add Mongolian service soon

The Voice of Turkey (Türkiye’nin Sesi Radyosu in Turkish), Turkey’s state-owned radio broadcasting service in foreign languages, will soon add Mongolian to its portfolio.

 

The Voice of Turkey is the world’s fourth biggest radio station in terms of the number of foreign languages in which it broadcasts. It airs content in Turkish as well as in 34 other languages with plans to start a Mongolian service soon.

With such a large coverage, Turkey’s official radio station is placed on the list above the BBC, which broadcasts in 33 languages, and comes after the US, China and Russia. Now in its 75th year, the Voice of Turkey is considering expanding its coverage to Mongolia.

“We have received requests from Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Gagauz Turks and Bashkortostan [a republic in Russia] to start broadcasting in their languages,” Süleyman Köksoy, director of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) Foreign Service, told Sunday’s Zaman in an exclusive interview.

If the plan gets the go-ahead from the governing board, Mongolian will be the 36th language broadcast by the Voice of Turkey. The Voice of Turkey utilizes new technology such as web-broadcasting and a satellite feed as well as the traditional shortwave transmission.

The latest additions among the languages broadcast are Armenian (over the web since 2009) and Afghan languages such as Dari Persian, Pashto and Afghan Uzbek.

“The broadcast in Armenian has met with considerable interest in Armenia; we generally get positive messages,” Köksoy said. Stories of the lives of Armenian artists who lived in Anatolia and Ottoman bureaucrats of Armenian origin are being broadcast during the one-hour transmission.

This relatively new addition has led the Armenians living in İstanbul today to request radio broadcasts in Armenian from TRT inside Turkey. Noting that broadcasting in Armenian is a step towards friendship, Köksoy commented, “It is proof we don’t have any negative feelings towards Armenians.”

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(Source :  Today's Zaman, Turkey via kimandrewelliott.com)

Radio Australia's Shortwave interruption notice April 19, 2012

Details of an interruption to our shortwave services to Papua New Guinea, eastern Indonesia and the south west Pacific for Thursday April 19th. 

This is an important announcement for shortwave listeners.

Due to essential transmitter maintenance, some broadcasts to Indonesia, PNG and the Western Pacific will not be available TODAY Thursday April 19th .

This will affect short wave broadcasts to: East Indonesia; French broadcasts to the south-west Pacific and numerous broadcasts to PNG and the central Pacific region.

The work will commence at 5am Jakarta time, 8am in Port Moresby, 9am in Port Vila, 10am in Suva, and is expected to take up to eight hours.

Some Pacific listeners will still be able to hear us 9660, or 12080 kHz.

Radio Australia’s FM, satellite and web streaming services will continue as normal. So you can still hear us on FM and the web.

The following shortwave frequencies will be suspended between 0800-1600 Melbourne time (2200-0600 UT):

13630, 15515, 17715 & 17795 kHz to the south Pacific;

13690 & 21725 kHz to PNG,

15240 kHz to Solomons & Vanuatu 

11695, 15415 & 17750 kHz to east Indonesia (in Indonesian & English).

(Source : Radio Australia via PCJ Radio)