What next after the digital wave?

A “digital wave” is sweeping through the media in the Asia-Pacific and around the world; what comes next?

That’s the question broadcasters, industry colleagues and a panel of experts will be asking themselves – and trying to answer – at the 49^th ABU General Assembly due to kick off in Seoul, Korea, on 11 October.

“We will explore the new order created by the digital wave and its effect on audience experience and engagement,” says ABU Secretary-General Dr Javad Mottaghi “And I hope we can offer some fresh perspectives on the elusive question of what comes next.”

The Super Panel session on “Beyond the Digital Wave” at the General Assembly in the towering 63 Convention Centre on the banks of the Han River on 13 October will be an opportunity to compare perspectives from a wide spectrum of industry players. 

Expert panellists will represent the traditional broadcast media, cultural content creators, social media, the IT industry and international policymakers. Confirmed to-date are: Rachel Payne, Principal of Global Strategic Alliances at Google; John Tate, BBC Director of Policy and Strategy/BBC Studio and Post Production and Naoji Ono, Vice President of NHK Japan and Vice President of the ABU.

Each panellist will make an introductory presentation followed by a moderated discussion and a question-and-answer session with the audience.

“A digital wave has swept in an unprecedented era of social participation and interaction,” says Dr Mottaghi. “Consumers have become content creators and citizen journalists overnight thanks to new tools in media. And the thirst for newer, more mobile and more useful experiences shows no signs of abating.”

“But what comes next, beyond this digital wave?” 

Dr Mottagi hopes the special sessions and the ABU General Assembly overall will serve as a focus for leaders of different media industries to interpret this sea change in media, consumer expectations and demands and the impact on society. 

Information about the ABU General Assembly and how to register can be found on the ABU website: www.abu.org.my. There is a 1 September registration deadline for hotel bookings and visa arrangements.

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)