Asiavision's membership expands to Myanmar

Forever Group, a television and radio operator in Myanmar, is to join Asiavision, the ABU's daily news exchange, on 1 September. 

Its admission brings Asiavision's membership to 23, the highest since its launch in January 1984.

It's the first time Asiavision has had a member in Myanmar and means the news exchange's reach now extends to 20 countries. Members exchange news every day by satellite and file transfer. 

Established in 1995, Forever Group runs 22 digital TV channels across the country. Two are free-to-air channels operated in partnership with Myanmar Radio and Television, and the others are pay-TV.

It also operates two radio stations, Mandalay FM and Pyinsawadi FM. 

Meanwhile, India's national TV broadcaster, Doordarshan, has won the Asiavision Monthly Award for July for its coverage of three blasts that ripped through crowded areas of Mumbai on 13 July.

The explosions killed more than 20 people and injured more than 150.

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

Malaysia to host World Summit on Media for Children

Malaysia's national broadcaster, RTM, is to host the World Summit on Media for Children in 2014.

The event will be organised by the ABU and will be hosted by RTM in Kuala Lumpur on 8-10 September.

Malaysia's Minister of Information, Communication and Culture, Datuk Seri Rais Yatim, gave his approval yesterday for RTM to host the summit during a meeting with RTM's Director-General Dato' Norhyati Ismail, and the ABU Secretary-General Javad Mottaghi.

The summit will also commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ABU, which was formed in 1964.

Patricia Edgar, Chairperson of the World Summit Foundation Board, had earlier requested the ABU to organise the summit in Asia.

"This will be the first time a World Summit on Media for Children has been held in Asia since the Summit Movement began in 1995," Dr Edgar said.

"The Summit Foundation Board is delighted to be working with RTM-Malaysia and the ABU to host a seminal event in such an important region of the world, where children are such a large proportion of the population and at a time when technology is opening up so many exciting possibilities for their education and enlightenment. 

"The Summit in 2014 will be an ideal way to mark the occasion of the 50th anniversary of ABU and celebrate the achievements for children and young people by broadcasters across the region and around the world." 

   

Since the first World Summit on Television and Children was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1995, such meetings have been held every three years and have been hosted by cities such as London, Thessaloniki, Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg and Karlstad.

The objectives of the Summits are:

• to achieve a greater understanding of developments in children's media around the world;

• to raise the status of children's programming;

• to draw to the attention of key players in media production and distribution the importance of issues relating to children and young people;

• to agree on a charter of guiding principles in children's media;

• to ensure the provision of programmes for children will be guaranteed as the communications revolution proceeds, by assisting in the provision of opportunities for quality children's programming in the future.

See the Summit website: www.wsmcf.com

(Source: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

Three ABC newsmen die in helicopter crash

Tributes are coming in for three veteran newsmen of Australia's national broadcaster, the ABC, who were killed yesterday in a helicopter crash in remote South Australia. 

Journalist Paul Lockyer, pilot Gary Ticehurst and cameraman John Bean died when their chopper crashed near Lake Eyre yesterday evening.

The experienced news crew had been working on news and feature projects in the Lake Eyre region and their Sydney-based helicopter went down in a remote area about 150 kilometres north-west of Marree about 7.30 p.m.

Authorities say it could take up to a year to find the cause of the crash. 

Just before the tragedy, the experienced crew had been interviewing tourists on a small island near Lake Eyre. A witness reported seeing the helicopter do an unusual manoeuvre after taking off before it dropped out of sight. 

ABC Managing Director Mark Scott paid tribute to the men, who he called "three news gatherers at the peak of their craft".

"It's going to be one of our saddest days ever," he said.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and other leading politicians have expressed condolences to the ABC on the deaths. 

The ABU's Director of Sport John Barton, who worked with Mr Lockyer for many years, said: "He was a lovely guy, and a fine reporter".

(Source : Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)

Children of Rape Highlighted on VOA – Citizen Global Website

The Voice of America (VOA) is launching a new series this week, “Children of Rape,” that tells the story of children whose lives have been shattered by sexual violence in Democratic Republic of Congo.  The series is part of “Congo Story: War, Women and Rape,” a joint project between VOA and Citizen Global, an innovative multimedia crowdsourcing platform.

In Democratic Republic of Congo, roughly 2 million people have been raped since fighting broke out in 1998.  Among those victims are children – many under 10 years old.  Warring factions in the region use child rape as a means of terrorizing the population.

Part One of “Children of Rape” tells the story of five-year-old Teresa who was abducted from her family and raped.  Her mother told VOA that before the assault, her daughter could walk and play.  Now most of her body is paralyzed.  Teresa needs treatment by a specialist, but her family cannot afford one.  “If a person has HIV, and he has sex with a little girl, he may believe he will be cured,” said Dr. Endanda Zawadi, who cares for Teresa.  “It is also a way to humiliate the population.”

“Through our joint efforts with Citizen Global, we are promoting a global discussion of the tragedy of child rape using the social media sites Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube as well as radio and television,” said VOA Africa Division Director Gwen Dillard.  “Rape is a horrific act, and it is becoming more and more common in eastern Congo.”

Part Two of the series examines abducted girls or so-called “bush wives,” and Part Three looks at mothers who have children from rape.  Dr. Denis Mukwege of the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu in South Kivu Province discussed the issue of child rape during an interview last month with VOA’s French Service.  He told the service’s Lamia Gritli  that, “There is also this whole issue of children born of rape.  This phenomenon has been going on for more than ten years, and so now we are seeing children 10 or 11 years of age, and no one is taking care of them.”

The joint VOA/Citizen Global project offers a platform for individuals to take part in a global discussion, posting their own comments and videos alongside VOA reports from Washington and eastern Congo.  Reporters working with VOA have been contributing to the project from Goma and Bukavu in eastern Congo, where they have been visiting villages and providing the stories that are being posted on the new website.  VOA has also trained local journalists who are interested in reporting on the issue of sexual violence in Congo.

The series will be carried on VOA’s television program In Focus and on radio broadcasts. More information about Congo Story can be found at: voacongostory.com, voacongostory.wordpress.com, facebook.com/voacongostory, twitter.com/voacongostory, and youtube.com/voacongostory.

(Source : VOA Press Release)

FEBA Pakistan launches website

Feba Communications Trust, Rawalpindi has launched its website www.febapak.org. Feba Communications Trust is also know as Feba Radio. Feba established its regional office in Pakistan in May 1974, so that people could listen to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their own language. Now is broadcasting in five languages of Pakistan: Urdu, Punjani, Sindhi, Siraki, and Balti on shortwave, as well as FM in different parts of Pakistan. You can listen the recently broadcast programmes on the website.

(Source: pakistanchristian.tv via Media Network Weblog)

RTÉ criticised for proposed DTT broadcast fees

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has criticised the proposed fees charged by RTÉ to allow channels of other stations to be broadcast on its free digital TV service Saorview. The BAI expressed concern that the prospect of any new channels being made available could be impacted by the proposed cost structure charged by the state broadcaster. In a new report, the BAI claims RTÉ’s transmission costs of up to €1 million per annum mean the situation is “unsustainable” for other service providers.

• Read more from the Irish Examiner

(Source : Media Network Weblog)

Papuan community broadcaster spotlighted

The Jakarta Globe has spotlighted the Pikon Ane community radio station in the remote mountainous district of Yahukimo in Papua.

• Read the article

(Source : Media Network Weblog)

Finalists announced for radio’s premier music competition – New Artist 2 Radio (NA2R) event

Six bands and two solo artists have been announced today as finalists in this year’s New Artist 2 Radio (NA2R) showcase, the commercial radio industry’s competition to discover unsigned, independent music artists for commercial radio.

The finalists, chosen from around 300 entrants, were decided by leading music and program directors of commercial radio stations, based on commercial radio play potential.

The finalists are:
Stone Parade – five-piece rock band
Nine Sons of Dan – rock band from the Gold Coast
Taylor and the Makers – three piece band playing a mix of blues, roots and reggae
Danielle Blakey – Sydney based pop/country singer/songwriter
Barry Southgate – singer/songwriter who fuses pop and soul music
The Glass Ceiling – Sydney indie rock act known for its raw edge
The Stellar Affect – four-piece band from Sydney
Bellusira – Melbourne based rock band

Judge, Alan Logan, Network Programme Manager, Australian Radio Network (ARN), said about the finalists: “The quality of entries was high as always, and it's exciting to be hearing from so many talented young Australian artists and bands so early in their careers.  And being able to help launch a career or two is great. Australian commercial radio has always been a huge supporter of Aussie music and this is just another example of the industry really getting involved.”

Judge, Andrew Very, NSW Group Content Director, Southern Cross Austereo said: “What a tough decision! The quality of finalists represents a high standard of acts coming through and deserving of a shot on commercial radio playlists.”

NA2R is a commercial radio initiative which aims to discover and provide support for an up and coming independent music artist to be played on commercial radio across the country. The event is open to unsigned independent artists who have not charted in the top 100 Australian national airplay chart.

The finalists will attend a radio workshop with leading commercial program and music directors and music marketing professionals in Sydney on September 9, where two winners will be announced. The NA2R workshop is an opportunity for independent artists to have direct access to commercial radio music directors and to gain an invaluable insight into how commercial radio works and  how to maximize their chances of commercial radio airplay. In addition, this year, the winners will also be coached about strategic marketing and distribution.  

Chief executive of Commercial Radio Australia, Joan Warner said this was the tenth year the NA2R initiative had been organised:”Commercial radio has always supported new Australian music talent and has been key to raising the profile, and enhancing the careers, of many Australian artists This initiative provides unsigned artists with some fantastic tools, contacts and insights to help them break into commercial radio and the music industry,” Ms Warner said. 

Winners will have the chance of sharing six weeks guaranteed commercial radio airplay, across the day, on the major metropolitan and regional commercial radio networks valued at $1.3 million.
 

The two winners of NA2R will :

• perform at the NA2R showcase event to be held on the Gold Coast on October 14 in front of key music and program directors with one of the winners being invited to perform at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards on October 15

• win a share of commercial radio airplay, across the day, valued at $1.3 million, on the Australian Radio Network, Southern Cross Austereo, DMG Radio, ACE Radio, Prime Radio and Grant Broadcasters for a minimum of six weeks – to ensure maximum exposure.

• get a digital distribution deal with MGM for on line sales via ITunes, Nokia, 3 and Big Pond. All winning singles will be submitted to ARIA and AIR for chart survey.

• gain professional advice from VGM (Media & Marketing) regarding mainstream media, electronic and digital marketing, artist management, sales capacities and digital radio servicing.

Last year’s winners, Radio Ink and The Smart have both enjoyed extensive commercial exposure over the past twelve months debuting as the #1 and #2 most added songs in the country the first week at radio.

Johny Leighton, keyboard player from The Smart, said: “The NA2R event opens the door for commercial exposure which can kick start your band. The international and national exposure from NA2R helped give us the opportunity to support stars like Bon Jovi in concert.”

2009 NA2R winner Emma-Louise picked up 3 Awards this week at the QLD Music Awards.

.
Media contact: Jenny Stevenson Ph: (0402) 214 039.  Finalists’ short bios attached.
Pics are available on request.
One track by each finalist can be listened to at www.na2r.com.au

More from Commercial Radio Australia

(Source : Commercial Radio Australia)

Vote for the greatest broadcast interview of all time

The BBC College of Journalism is holding an Art of the Interview season, celebrating the on-air conversations that have shaped opinions and changed lives. We've highlighted some of the most notorious exchanges on TV and radio over 52 years - which do you think is the greatest broadcast interview? Place your vote now - or refresh your memory first with some clips... 

Read More from RadioTimes

(Source : radiotimes.com)

US station hires Artificial Intelligent DJ

A radio station in San Antonio is taking computer playout automation to the next level by using a virtual assistant to host a radio show.

KROV has agreed to be the test station for what could be, says the man responsible for putting “Denise” on-air, the future of radio.

Denise is the nick-name for a computer program made by Guile Lindroth and Guile 3D Studios for use as an virtual assistant. But radio presenter Dominique Garcia has pursuaded the bosses at community station KROV to put her on the air.

He claims radio stations should entertain the idea of having the automated voice on-air to potentially save money normally paid to real-life presenters.

He blogged: “Would a human work an entire year straight, 24 hours a day 7 days a week for only $200? Clearly the answer is no. Would a human work 5 years straight, 24 hours a day 7 days a week for a one-time fee of only $200? It is easy to say absolutely not. Depending on the market and how much stations pay their on air talent, the money saved over the years easily adds up by not having to pay humans an annual salary.”

The software still needs to be told what to say but this can be done quicker and cheaper than hiring a full time jock, he says.

Denise will host her first radio show on Wednesday August 24, 2011 from 1pm till 4pm CST. You can listen online at krovfm.com to hear exactly how she does.

(Source : Radio Today, UK)