Public broadcasters to strategise at PBI 2011

Top public broadcasters from all over the world will meet in Singapore for the Public Broadcasters International (PBI) 2011 conference from 26 to 29 October 2011.

The conference will see delegates discussing issues of funding, strategies to navigate the digital age, the impact of new media, the digital switchover and the role of public broadcasters in handling natural disasters.

Hosted by MediaCorp, Singapore's leading media company, this year's meeting will also mark the conference's 20th anniversary. 

PBI was set up in 1990 as an assembly of broadcasters to collectively share experiences, solutions and best practices in the wake of the challenges faced by the industry.

"We strongly believe the conference will provide an excellent opportunity for all to gain insight into our future together as public broadcasters," said Chang Long Jong, Deputy CEO of MediaCorp.

Paula A. Kerger, President and Chief Executive Officer of Public Broadcast Service (USA) will be delivering the keynote speech at the conference. Speakers include Christine Wilson, Executive Director of Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, José Marquitos, Vice-President of Rádio e Televisão de Portugal and representatives from British Broadcasting Corporation, France Télévisions and Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK).

For details on PBI 2011, log on to www.publicbroadcastersinternational.org

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

Radio New Zealand is looking for photos of its listeners to add to the gallery

Overview

Radio New Zealand welcomes receiving listener's pictures to feature on this website.

We are looking for the broadest possible representation of our audience including a variety of ages, cultural backgrounds, lifestyles and geographic locations.

This can be anywhere in the world — internet-only and podcast listeners are included.

Conditions for submitting a photo:

1. The subject of the photo MUST listen to Radio New Zealand National, Radio New Zealand Concert or Radio New Zealand International.

2. Digital photos only please. (Scans are also OK but MUST be 300 dpi or better.)

3. Use a high resolution setting on your camera, preferably higher than 4 megapixels. The photo should be sharp and in focus. It should also be in colour.

4. Photos should be well lit, but not with too many shadows. Overcast lighting tends to make for dull photos, unless the subject of the photo is very engaging.

5. The photo should show an interesting visual subject. Photos of people doing things can work well, and don't always have to show their face.

• An image of a suited person smiling for the camera is probably uninteresting, whereas an image of people laughing, interacting or doing something has more appeal. Fun is good.
• Take a series of shots so we can choose the best one.
• Holiday locations can work really well, especially if it is particularly photogenic.
• "Cute" pictures of children will probably not look cute in this context.
• We want to see people in their environment, so check that the background of the photo looks OK. Minor blemishes can be repaired if the rest of the image is fine.
• Have a look at the current photos for inspiration.

6. The subject of any photo must sign a release form. This is really important.

We cannot use the image without a signed release. For children, their parent or guardian must sign.

We require the full name of the person, where they listen, and what station they listen to.

Random photos taken in public without a release form will not be accepted.

We will only use the person's first name, location and station on the website.

7. The size and shape will be as you see on the site at present.

Radio New Zealand may decide to crop and process the photo for presentation on the site.

8. Copyright. You retain copyright in the photo, however you agree to license use of the image to Radio New Zealand for use on the website for a period of 1 year from the date we first use the image. Photos may also appear in other Radio New Zealand publications, for example our Annual Report, as part of a screen capture of the website.

9. No fee is payable to photographer or model.

10. Radio New Zealand reserves the sole right to select or reject photographs submitted. You will be advised by return email if your photo has been accepted.

11.By submitting a photo you agree to these terms.

How to submit a photo

1. Take the photo (or choose one you already have).

2. Get the subject of the photo to sign the model release form.

3. Email your photo to webproducer@radionz.co.nz with the word "Photo" in the subject line.

Include your Full name, address and phone number.

4. If we decide to use your image we'll email you a photo ID to write on the top of the release before you post it to us.

(Source : Radio New Zealand)

Radio New Zealand National broadcasts from Christchurch

The anniversary of the first Canterbury earthquake is on Sunday 4 September and this weekend Radio New Zealand National travels to Christchurch for a special broadcast.

On Saturday Morning Kim Hill's guests include the editor of The Press, Andrew Holden, and engineer and author David Haywood and Jen Hay, the director of the New Zealand Institute of Language, Brain and Behaviour at the University of Canterbury, who live with their two children in Avonside, Christchurch.

This Way Up has stories about how communities are bouncing back after the big shakes and Simon Morton joins some shopping-starved customers on a coach trip to the Ballantynes Timaru store.

Music 101 catches up with some of the good folk who are making music amongst the rubble, including lovely Lyttelton alt-country duo Tiny Lies and pop-smith Lindon Puffin. The team also takes a ride in alt-radio station RDU's new HQ. Send your requests for your favourite Christchurch songs - they'll be squeezing a few of those in too: music101@radionz.co.nz.

On Sunday Morning Chris Laidlaw talks to mayor Bob Parker about responding to crisis; Peter Hyde, the blogger who coined the 'three cities' phrase following the quake - rescue city, shower city and refugee city; and Jane Bowron, whose popular newspaper columns give a personal, sometimes painful, and often humourous insight into life in the city as those who stay do the best they can to get on with their lives.

On The Arts on Sunday, Lynn Freeman will be talking to Christchurch artists and performers about the last year and what lies ahead, and features proud Cantabrian and TV presenter Jason Gunn in The Laugh Track; and a Spectrum special programme called Entertaining Shakeytown looks at the lives and livelihoods of some of those Cantabrians who now live in an altered landscape.

On Monday, Morning Report will also be in Christchurch - presenter Simon Mercep and producer Lisa Thompson will speak to guests about the cost of the quake - to the city, business, and the community.

 

(Source : Radio New Zealand)

VOA Statement about Warning to Journalists in Cambodia

The Voice of America is concerned about a legal warning issued in connection with VOA coverage of the U.N.-backed tribunal in Cambodia that has been investigating atrocities committed by the former Khmer Rouge regime.

On August 31, the Co-Investigating Judges at the U.N.-backed Cambodian tribunal announced they had instituted “contempt of court” proceedings related to the VOA Khmer Service reports. The unsigned statement from the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, cited VOA’s use of confidential court documents in a report broadcast on August 10 that identified potential new defendants.

The statement said proceedings had been instituted for “Interference with the Administration of Justice” after VOA “quoted verbatim from a confidential document” and “even showed that document on a video.” The statement went on to say, “Anyone intending further disclosure of confidential court documents is hereby warned that his case could be transferred to the National Prosecutor pursuant to Rule 35 (2) (c).”

Voice of America is concerned about the potential “chilling effect” this threat by the co-investigating judges could have on coverage of an important international story. Some rights groups have accused judges at the tribunal of failing to fully investigate cases brought by prosecutors.

Voice of America believes the warning issued by the co-investigating judges is unwarranted. The Voice of America has a journalistic and legal responsibility to provide balanced and comprehensive coverage of important issues. The careful use of confidential sources and documents that provide important insight into critical issues is a well-established practice by independent journalists the world over. Furthermore, the documents in question have been used by other news organizations.

Voice of America and its Khmer Service are committed to providing accurate, objective and comprehensive coverage of the ongoing investigation into Khmer Rouge atrocities and issues of importance to the people of the region and the world.

An online version of this statement is available at www.insidevoa.com. For media inquiries contact Kyle King in Washington at kking@voanews.com.

(Source : Broadcasting Board of Governors Press Release)

Bauer Radio makes commercial programming promotions

Bauer Radio has made two senior appointments to its commercial programming team and revealed that it is on the hunt for a commercial programming manager for KISS FM.

James Wilson has been promoted to commercial programming director for Bauer Place Portfolio and Magic 105.4. Kate Fraser moves up to head of commercial programming for the Bauer Place Portfolio.

Wilson and Fraser will work with Lizzy Moroney, the head of brand and commercial insight for Bauer Place Porfolio, to give advertising insight from the 9.1m listeners that tune into a Place station each week.

The radio giant has started an external recruitment process to fill the KISS role.

Karen Stacey, head of broadcast sales and Bauer Access at Bauer Media, said: "Increasing the headcount of our commercial team and aligning it with the insight team will give us the ability to serve our advertisers better, allowing us to tailor campaigns that deliver even deeper engagement."

(Source : The Drum, UK)

BBC Wildlife Magazine unveils new look with major redesign

BBC Wildlife Magazine has today revealed a fresh new look following its first major redesign since 2006.

The comprehensive cover-to-cover revamp is the culmination of a period of extensive reader research and development, and features a host of changes including a modern new font, a pared-down colour palette, a revised flat plan and new content and sections.

In line with reader demand, a greater prominence has been given to the magazine's core areas of British wildlife, photography, conservation stories and guides to understanding and enjoying nature. Brand new sections present ideas for wildlife- watching, provide fresh insights into topical wildlife news stories and offer more information and practical advice than ever before. The tone of the new-look magazine is consistently authoritative yet accessible with more space allocated to the title’s panel of leading experts, which will now include Bill Oddie as a new monthly columnist. 

The magazine has been given a cleaner design throughout to make every page more inviting, and updated layouts and a grid change allow for a greater emphasis on the title's beautiful photography. Section openers and clearer signposting make the magazine easier to navigate, while the division and positioning of sections encourages greater variety in pace and tone. The cover has been given a dynamic, high-impact new look to have greater impact on the newsstand. 

Jemima Ransome, Publisher of BBC Wildlife Magazine, commented: "BBC Wildlife Magazine's exciting new look capitalises on the public’s enthusiasm for the natural world. The new design brings readers a wealth of wildlife experiences through stunning photography and informative articles that shed new light on popular species."

The redesigned autumn issue of BBC Wildlife Magazine goes on sale on 1 September, priced £3.80. The first new look issue features a special investigation into vaccinating badgers against bovine tuberculosis, a feature on zebra migration and a portfolio of unique images of American wildlife including flying squirrels, beavers and ferocious shrews.

NOTES TO EDITORS
About BBC Wildlife Magazine
BBC Wildlife Magazine launched 45 years ago as Animals, and is a celebration of the natural world, featuring all the latest discoveries, news and views on wildlife, conservation and environmental issues. With strong broadcasting links, authoritative journalism and award-winning photography, BBC Wildlife Magazine is essential reading for anyone with a passion for wildlife who wants to understand, experience and enjoy nature more.

BBC Wildlife Magazine has a monthly circulation of 42,257 (ABC Jan- Jun 2011) and is published by BBC Magazines Bristol, a trading name of Bristol Magazines Ltd., which is a subsidiary of BBC Worldwide Ltd., the main commercial consumer arm of the BBC. For further information, visit www.discoverwildlife.com 

(Source : BBC Worldwide Press Release)

Revo announces high-end tower radio

Radio set manufacturer Revo has announced the launch of an aluminium multi-platform radio, which also boasts video playback for Apple devices.

The K2 has a unique design and is aimed at the high-end of the market with a pricetag of £300.

Revo say the K2 is a ‘column of aluminium and rubber’ with the usual DAB, DAB+, FM and internet radio capabilities. It also offers video playback from iPod, iPhone and iPad via the Apple video connector port, access to Last.fm and home network music streaming.

It also boasts an OLED display iDevice dock and 40 watts of ‘room-filling high resolution digital audio, courtesy of a quartet of neodymium Balanced Mode Radiator speaker drivers and dual Class-D amplifiers’.

Revo Technologies CEO, David Baxter, said: “The K2 project was the most ambitious in our history. Our aim was to produce a world-class, hi-fi grade audio device, capable of producing room-filling digital sound, from a relatively modest physical footprint. We believe that with K2, we have created a truly aspirational audio product, and one that elevates the digital radio category.”

Revo is also launching a new free smartphone app next month, which will act as a full remote control for their net-connected radios as well as turning the iPhone, iPod or iPad into a device to stream the user’s music library from any connected PC or Mac.

The K2 is due to go on sale from 17th October with an RRP of £299.95.

(Source : Radio Today, UK)

BBC World Service launches lifeline broadcasts for drought-affected in Horn of Africa

BBC World Service has launched special radio broadcasts to serve the Somali-speaking population affected by famine and drought in the Horn of Africa. The purpose of the daily 15-minute radio programmes by BBC Somali is to help people to make informed decisions that may help them survive the famine. 

At 14.15 local time (11.15 GMT) every day, Gurmad (Rescue) on BBC Somali delivers special news bulletins, practical information and expert advice for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). It will also reach those who have stayed in their home towns and villages.

Editor of BBC Somali, Yusuf Garaad Omar, comments: "We have been covering the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa since it started to unfold, and our reporters were overwhelmed with questions and suggestions on relief aid – or lack of it. So we decided to devote a special programme to address these issues, and as a majority of those affected are Somali-speakers, it was also obvious that BBC Somali is the right channel to reach these people. We hope that timely, up-to-date information, provided by experts, about issues these people are facing every day, will help them survive this crisis. We will do our best to maintain the supply of such knowledge to all those who are in need of it." 

Particularly aimed at the refugees in Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Yemen, as well as IDPs in Mogadishu and other locations in Somalia, the lifeline broadcasts bring a wealth of information on how to get access to food aid and health services, on safety on the roads, advice on legal matters, nutrition, water and sanitation.

News bulletins with the latest on the relief efforts and humanitarian situation are followed by interviews and reports by the BBC's correspondents across the region. Along with giving listeners a platform to share their experiences, a special slot in the programme channels their questions to aid workers, doctors and authorities. 

Gurmad also informs the Somali diaspora, who are willing to contribute to the international relief effort, about the type of need required as well as on where and how the assistance is distributed.

Available on shortwave and BBC FM relays across the Horn of Africa, Gurmad is also rebroadcast by the BBC's partner radio stations: Kenya's Star FM, whose network covers Dadaab refugee camp and Mogadishu; Shabelle FM in Mogadishu, Somalia; and the private Somali network, SBC. Gurmad also features on a special index on bbcsomali.com, in text and audio.

(Source: BBC World Service Publicity)

Instructors Adapt on the Fly in Moscow Radio Training Sessions

Listen to your audience—it’s a fundamental of successful radio programming. This principle was put to the test for radio producers of HCJB Global-Russia and its partner network, New Life Radio (NLR), in a radio training course held in Moscow Aug. 15-20.

The audience consisted of women only—six of them, to be specific. The students had come from Moscow and another Russian city and even one from New York who was visiting relatives and heard about the course via the Internet.

“This was the first time when all students were women,” said the director of HCJB Global-Russia. “We had to change our teaching plan and make the lessons more relevant for them. We covered the basics of mass media, specifically radio, during the first two days.” More

(Source : HCJB Global)

Meeting of the European DX Council in Bulgaria

Participants in the meeting of the European DX Council in front of the building of Bulgarian National Radio

The annual meeting of the European DX council has been taking place since 1967 when the organization was set up. Driven by their love for radio listening and their passion for DXing and sharing new worlds, several enthusiasts decided to embark on a more large-scale initiative.

In the 1950s and 1960s, national DX-Clubs appeared in a few European countries. Many people listened to domestic and foreign broadcasts on long, medium and shortwave. At that time, broadcasting on FM, TV and via satellite or the Internet did not exist! So the hobby of listening to far-away radio stations (DX-ing) mainly on short waves was thriving.

In 1965, Ellmann Ellingsen of the DX-listeners Club of Norway got the vision to establish a cross-national DX-organisation to improve the cooperation between DX-Clubs in Europe. At the inaugural meeting on June 3rd-4th, 1967, DX-leaders from Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden met to discuss and agree upon the foundation of the EDXC. The central venue was the private house of Anker Petersen in Skovlunde near Copenhagen, who also attended the meeting in Bulgaria.

Presently, members of the EDXC can become DX Clubs and organizations but also individual DXers from Europe.

So, some of them did arrive in Bulgaria for this year’s annual meeting that took place in the small picturesque town of Melnik at the foothill of the Pirin Mountain, famous for its beautiful old-time architecture and good wine cellars. You have certainly heard more about it in our programs.

Why was Melnik chosen to become the venue of this DX forum?

Has DXing nowadays become a hobby of old-fashioned ladies and gentlemen? And how has Bulgaria changed from the 1980s until present day?

More on this and other radio related issues from the secretary general of the EDXcouncil, Mr. Tibor Szilagyi, in his special interview taken during the visit of DXers to Radio Bulgaria’s foreign service in Sofia.

We were really lucky to have such a large group of DXers and short-wave radio listeners as our guests here, in Sofia. And we hope that more of you will be coming here, either to Melnik, Plovdiv, the Black sea coast, or anywhere in Bulgaria. Here we would like to thank once again Mr. Tibor Szilagyi and all members of the EDX Council for having chosen Bulgaria as their venue and for visiting us. We also thank everyone else on the group - Anker Petersen from Denmark, Engineer Harald Süss from Austria, Toshimichi Ohtake and Nobuya Kato from Japan, Gerald Kercher and Craig Thorston from the US, George Brown from Scotland, Dave Kenny from the UK, Alexander Beryozkin and Alexey Kulakov from Russia, Harald Gabler from Germany, and the 29 DXers from Finland, including the youngest in the group, Jan-Mikael Nurmela who is only 22, Tapio Kalmi, Pekka Rasanen, Herni Ekman, Jarmo Patala and everyone else.

We all believe that the medium of radio might seem to be an old-fashioned hobby nowadays given the enormous competition of all types of electronic gadgets. Nevertheless, there is nothing that could replace the thrill and enjoyment of listening to your favorite radio station!

Keep writing to us, keep sending us your reception reports, opinions, and musical requests! You could write to us at english@bnr.bg, or send letters by regular mail to: Sofia 1040, Dragan Tsankov Blvd 4, Radio Bulgaria.

(Source : Radio Bulgaria)