EXBO – Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development

India is New President of AIBD General Conference

Editor — Tue, 11 Sep 2018 11:54:30 +0000

India was elected as the new President of the AIBD General Conference during the 44th Annual Gathering/17th AIBD General Conference and Associated Meetings in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 3 August 2018.

Sri Lanka was re-elected as the Vice President of the General Conference.

The AIBD General Conference met from 2-4 August 2018 to discuss the Institute’s year-long performance as well as future strategies, and approve resolutions that impact its operations.

Shri Fayyaz Sheheryar, Director General of All India Radio, who represented India, said he was humbled and honoured by the election.

“I will try to meet the high expectations of AIBD. As my country holds the AIBD in high esteem, we will work hard to make AIBD a more renowned international organisation”, he said.

He also said that AIBD has lots of potential to do good, especially for poor broadcasters. “We shall keep working on the path shown by the outgoing president and work in tandem with all members and the newly re-elected Vice President from Sri Lanka.”

India replaced Iran whose term ended this year following its election for a two-year term from August 2016.

Outgoing President of the AIBD General Conference Dr Abbas Naseri Taheri, Advisor to IRIB President and Director General of International Affairs, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, thanked members and summed up some of the challenges the GC raised in its meetings. These include seeking more transparency in AIBD finances, revising training modules amid the changing media landscape, overhauling the Strategic Plan Team as a think tank, and refining procedures and rules critical to the Institute’s operations.

Mr Thusira Malawwethantri, SLRC Director General, who represented Sri Lanka, thanked members for the vote of confidence in re-electing his country and promised to continue working together for the betterment of AIBD.

3 Members Voted, 2 others Re-elected to the Executive Board

Iran, Maldives and Nepal were elected as new members of the AIBD Executive Board (EXBO). Cambodia and Pakistan were re-elected to the Board. They complete the entire nine-member EXBO that also includes Bhutan, China, Korea, and the Philippines. India, having been elected as a member of the EXBO during the 16th General Conference in Maldives in August 2017, becomes an ex-officio member of the EXBO as it is elected as President of the GC as mentioned above.

Full members who attended the AIBD General Conference and its Associated Meetings voted for the five members to the Executive Board.

After the GC, the EXBO voted Pakistan as its Chairman, and Maldives as Vice-Chairman.

The Board meets once every year to examine the Institute’s annual performance and administration and strategies for the future.

GC 2018: EXBO Meeting

Editor — Tue, 11 Sep 2018 11:49:08 +0000

EXBO Urges AIBD to Explore New Revenue Streams for Training

Editor — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 02:48:09 +0000

Members of the AIBD Executive Board (EXBO) gathered recently in Maldives to identify approaches to strengthen the Institute’s sustainability and improve delivery of services to members.

They urge the AIBD secretariat to explore new revenue streams and ensure means to distribute funds equitablyfor its various training activities that will benefit member states.

“We need to spread funds, whether training for radio, or for TV, or for various areas of competence. AIBD should make a study of fair distribution and geographical coverage”, Dato’ Abu Bakar Ab Rahim, EXBO Chairman and Director-General of Radio Television, Malaysia, said.

Ms Yan Ni,SPT ViceChairperson and Director of Asian, Africanand Latin American AffairsDivision, SAPPRFT, China, recommended that AIBD pursue a regular evaluation of all AIBD workshops and seminars or seek out members’ feedback in order for members to know the value of AIBD training programmes to their organization. She also said results should also be made available to GC members.

AIBD Director Chang Jin said the organization conducts such evaluation every year and promised to make this available as part ofthe Director’s Report during the GC.

EXBO members met on 21 August 2017 to examine the Institute’s accomplishments during the one-year period. Their meeting was a part of the 16th AIBD General Conference & Associated Meetings in Male’, Maldives from 21-22 August 2017.

In their discussions,some EXBO members called on AIBD to conduct more in-country workshops and suggested additional topics, including training on media management, new media and use of smartphones in broadcasting.

Chairman Bakarrequested members to help share expenses with AIBD in pursuing in-country workshops, thereby reducing operational costs of the organization. He said they must let AIBD know their training needs so that the organization can identify appropriate experts to conduct in- country workshops.

The AIBD Director welcomed co-funding mechanisms in conducting some in-country workshops, saying this collaboration has been in place in Vietnam, Thailand, Korea and Malaysia, among others.

The EXBO also urged the secretariat to align its activities and collaborate with ABU not only to optimize financial assets, but also to ensure their activities do not duplicate. If similar activities are planned, a collaboration would best achieve the intended outcomes.

On the proposal by the secretariat that EXBO membership be expanded to include affiliate members, the EXBO decided to keep the status quo. It requested the secretariat to clarify the status, representation and rights of full and affiliate members, and study thoroughly how affiliate members can be better integrated into AIBD affairs.

The EXBO members also agreed to keep the status quo in response to the proposal of the secretariat that the President and Vice President of the General Conference be automatic Chairman and Vice-Chairman of EXBO.

The EXBO meeting began with the report from Director Chang Jin on some of the Institute’s accomplishments during a one-year period.

He said some 840 broadcasters from 45 countries covering mostly Asia-Pacific benefitted from AIBD-organized training workshops and seminars covering the period of 1st July 2016 to 30th June 2017.

Topics covered media management, media literacy, media law and ethics, entertainment, children and youth programmes, digitalization, disaster risk reduction, new and social media and radio production, among others.

In his presentation, he said the Institute approved five new affiliate members. These were Asian TV in Bangladesh, iM4U Radio Sdn Bhd (iM4U FM) in Malaysia, Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation, Startimes Communication Network Technology CO. Ltd., and China Communication Research Centre of SAPPRFT, China. Three affiliate members were suspended while membership of two others was terminated.

AIBD currently has currently 108 (43 full-member and 65 affiliate-member organizations, representing 46 (26+20) countries.

Member states represented in the EXBO meeting were Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Indonesia and Pakistan did not attend the meeting.

India Elected as New EXBO Chairman

Editor — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 02:53:47 +0000

‘Telling our Stories- Asia and More’

Editor — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 02:51:13 +0000

The AIBD announces that the next Asia Media Summit 2018 in New Delhi, India will focus on the theme “Telling our Stories- Asia and More.”

AIBD Director Chang Jin recently visited New Delhi for preliminary meetings on the forthcoming summit and the draft content with representatives from the hosts, India’s Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Prasar Bharati and All India Radio.

At the recent 16th General Conference in Maldives, Mr F Shehryar, Director General of All India Radio, told delegates that India is in “a state of complete preparedness” for the AMS from 10-12 May 2018.

The summit will focus not only on diverse local stories in Asia, home to diverse ethnic groups, religions and rich culture, but also on the need to preserve, and share them beyond its boundaries. Moreover, these require to be translated into global context, which should be delivered into local perspective, as a way forward to peace, prosperity and uplifting the society.

Topics covered in the five plenary sessions cover exciting stories on numerous mythologies, folklore and contemporary stories, media regulation policies, and sustainable development stories. The summit will also feature four parallel sessions, moderated debate on Asian values and a CEO Roundtable on story-telling and success of media. There will also be five to six presummit workshops.

Discussions on the Asia Media Summit 2018 were held during the meetings of the AIBD Strategic Planning Team (SPT), Executive Board (EXBO), and the 16th General Conference (GC) in Maldives from 21-22 August 2017.

Many SPT members commended the theme, saying it is focused and wide enough. There were suggestions to include human resource training issues in telling good Asian stories, changing journalism and pursuit of editorially acceptable and commercially viable news documentaries.

“The draft content is well thought of. Story-telling is about Asian content, technologies and how to use them so that stories can be well-received, and business models”, Ms Yan Ni, Director of Asia, Africa and Latin America Affairs, SAPPRFT, China, said.

Other members recommended to include pre-summit workshops covering the theme’s idea about ‘Asia and More,’ and topics on co-production and cooperation among broadcasters. Moreover, speakers should provide video presentations of good stories told to make sessions more dynamic and interesting.

Iran is New President of AIBD General Conference

Editor — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 05:12:33 +0000

AIBD Implements 33 Training Workshops in 2015-16

Editor — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 04:19:32 +0000

AIBD undertook 33 training workshops covering mostly areas dealing with TV and radio production, children’s programmes, disaster risk reduction and new media from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016.

Close to 700 broadcasters from Asia-Pacific benefitted from these in-country, sub-regional and regional activities.

AIBD undertook 33 training workshops covering mostly areas dealing with TV and radio production, children’s programmes, disaster risk reduction and new media from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016.

Close to 700 broadcasters from Asia-Pacific benefitted from these in-country, sub-regional and regional activities.

AIBD Director Chang Jin delivered a brief report on these activities and other accomplishments during the Institute’s Executive Board (EXBO) meeting in Tehran, Iran on 25 August 2016.

In his presentation to the EXBO meeting, which coincides with the 15th AIBD General Conference & Associated Meetings, Director Chang Jin also cited the publication of the AIBD Annual Media Research. The research project pursued three surveys: a national media survey to generate statistics on the overall broadcasting scenario; a broadcaster review survey to identify members’ operations and transmissions, as well as use of social media networks; and the audience consumption survey to determine consumption habits in both traditional and new media.

Another of the Institute’s major work was the Asia Media Summit held in Incheon, Korea in May 2016. More than 400 foreign and local delegates from 50 countries across the globe participated in the two-day conference. AMS’s main agenda focused on new approaches to create and source compelling and distinctive programmes as well as manage content marketing and distribution.

Representatives from nine countries that form part of EXBO attended the one day-meeting at the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting in Tehran, Iran. Close to 30 members and observers were present.

Mrs Dra Rosarita Niken Widiastuti, Director General of Information and Public Communication, Ministry of Communication, Information Technology, Indonesia, welcomed the participants and urged them to review AIBD’s performance and suggest ways to improve it.

Prof. M. Sunil Shantha, Director General of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Sri Lanka, chaired the EXBO meeting.

For the next months, AIBD is working on implementing workshops on the UN-led 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by world leaders during a UN Summit in September 2015. Given its limited resources, the Institute will cover only 8 of the 17 SDGs aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring prosperity for all. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years.

On AIBD memberships, Mr Chang Jin said the Institute has 101 full member and affiliate member organisations, representing 48 countries and regions. He reminded some member countries to pay their arrears in order to beef up the Institutes finances.

Director Chang Jin also reported the successful completion of the World Television Awards 2016 that saw more than 20 entries from the two categories, namely; Best TV Documentary “Promoting Children’s Rights,” and Best TV Programme “Encouraging Environmental Protection.”

“Reel Time: The Price of Gold,” broadcast by GMA Network, Inc. Philippines won the Award for Humanity for the Best TV Documentary “Promoting Children’s Rights,” and “Sumatra’s Last Tigers,” broadcast by Navistar Sdn Bhd, Malaysia won the Best TV Programme “ Encouraging Environmental Protection.”

He also cited the AIBD Awards 2016 that had more than 40 entries in four categories, namely Best TV Programme on “ Reviving Lost Cultural Heritage” and “Ending Conflict, Promoting Peace” and Best Radio Programme on “ Escape from Poverty” and the Reinhard Keune’s Memorial Award on Best Radio programme on “ Emergency Broadcasting.”

On human resource development, Mr Chang Jin said AIBD recruited three additional programme managers to assist in implementing various training workshops, regional seminars and conferences. The Institute is also finalising secondment of selected applicants to AIBD. This programme aims to offer the applicants additional competence by working on some AIBD projects. The applicants are also expected to share their expertise to enhance AIBD’s initiatives in various broadcast schemes of operations.

Chang Jin reiterated AIBD’s commitment to pursue quality management. In August 2015, AIBD was re-certified for ISAS BCP 9001:2010. That means that AIBD has established and maintained its management system in line with the requirements of the ISAS standards. The next annual surveillance audit of the Institute quality management system is scheduled for August 2017.

EXBO Identifies Funding Sources and Training Programmes

Editor — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 12:45:18 +0000

AIBD’s Executive Board (EXBO) proposed some approaches to beef up AIBD’s finances and identified training programmes to meet member countries’ needs.

In the 15th AIBD General Conference EXBO Meeting held in Tehran Iran on 25 August 2016, Mrs Dra Rosaria Niken Widiastuti, Director General of Information and Public Communication, Ministry of Communication, Information Technology, Indonesia, recommended to expand cooperation with international institutions for funding assistance.

AIBD’s Executive Board (EXBO) proposed some approaches to beef up AIBD’s finances and identified training programmes to meet member countries’ needs.

“Such funding can be used to support many workshops and training activities,” she said.

Mrs Niken, who is also President of the General Conference, suggested to tap media companies in China, Japan and Thailand for their expertise in providing training programmes for AIBD members. She also said to encourage UN agencies like UNESO to support AIBD.

Mrs Niken’s recommendations came after AIBD Director Chang Jin presented a brief report on the Institute’s performance covering 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016.

Prof. M. Sunil Shantha, Director General of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Sri Lanka, who chaired the EXBO meeting, requested AIBD to undertake training programmes on digitalisation and the shift from analogue to digital. He said that there is a debate going on in Sri Lanka on which digital standards to use, the European or Japanese versions, and perhaps the Institute can contribute towards a better understanding of the pros and cons of these standards.

Ms Syeda Tasmania Ahmed, Chief News Editor of Bangladesh Television, had a similar request, saying BTV needs training on the requirements to shift to digital as well as information on digital standards that best suit her country. She said BTV is willing to host an in-country workshop to minimise cost.

Director Chang Jin said AIBD has had some workshops on digitalisation, a recent one in Yunnan China on DVB-T2 Transmission last August, and it will consider the request of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for a similar workshop, perhaps on the Japanese digital standard.

Mrs Sumanpan Kosonsiriset, Director of the Institute of Public Relations, The Government Public Relations Department, Thailand, informed the EXBO that its office is willing to host a workshop on one of the UN-led 17 Sustainable Development Goals in Bangkok.

Mrs Wanida Gajasani, Senior Information, International Cooperation Division, Foreign Office, Thailand, also announced that NBT and AIBD can jointly organise a workshop on climate change. AT the same time, she requested the Institute to organise a workshop on lighting for High Definition TV.

Director Chang Jin welcomed Thailand’s offer to host these workshops and promised to follow these up after the GC.

In his remarks, he reminded some members to pay their arrears in order to beef up funding requirements of AIBD and meet member countries’ needs for human resource development.

AIBD Eyes More Quality In-Country Training Workshops

Saqib Sheikh — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 05:27:29 +0000

Mr Chang Jin, AIBD Director, says the Institute is eyeing more quality training and in-country workshops in its bid to offer better services to members and attract new members.

During the last 12 months, Director Chang Jin reported to the AIBD Executive Board that the Institute implemented 27 training activities benefitting close to 700 broadcasters from 46 countries and regions.

These activities covered various fields such as new media and social media, management, children/gender/youth, digitisation, production and training of trainers, among others.

Mr Chang Jin, AIBD Director, says the Institute is eyeing more quality training and in-country workshops in its bid to offer better services to members and attract new members.

These activities covered various fields such as new media and social media, management, children/gender/youth, digitisation, production and training of trainers, among others.

“As we plan for more quality and quantity in our in-country training workshops, we will need to beef up our resources, and members’ assistance will be most critical”, he said.

One thing going for us, he added, has been our strong collaboration with governments, international, regional and national broadcasting organisations.

About 52% of these activities during the last 12 months were in-country workshops while 41% were regional events.

AIBD statistics also showed that some 690 people participated in all the activities, 80% of whom were members.

There were more male participants, about 64%, compared to women participants (36%).

About 87% of these activities were self-funded and 9% fully funded.

Members from Cambodia, France, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Philippines Sri Lanka and Thailand convened the Board on 18 August 2015 in Chiang Mai, Thailand to hear the Director’s report on AIBD’s performance from July 2014 to June 2015.

During the discussions, some EXBO members proposed more focus on new media and social media, in particular their impact on radio, which continues to be a dominant platform in countries like Indonesia.

Mr Chang Jin said the Institute will work out plans to deal with this proposal.

Based on the Director’s report on AIBD’s performance, the Executive Board came out with other proposals to strengthen the Institute.

One, AIBD should find ways to inform Ministers of Communication and Information about AIBD activities, and even invite them to the Asia Media Summit and General Conference for a better appreciation of the Institute’s contribution in the region. The purpose is to ultimately get their governments to become full members.

Two, AIBD will pursue better ways to attract more participation in the World TV Awards and AIBD Awards. Suggestions were raised to hold a content festival for participating organisations, improve rewards to awardees, and get government and industry recognition of AIBD certificates of awards and appreciation. Another recommendation to promote the awards was to use the winning entries as training materials for the workshops.

Three, to enhance capacity building among members, the Institute is calling on members to support the Secondment programmes as practised in previous years.

Four on the financial report, EXBO members requested AIBD to find out the reasons behind payment delays and consider alternative ways to help members in arrears meet their obligations to the Institute.

Finally, EXBO members expressed their gratitude to the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand, The Government Public Relations Department for hosting the 41st annual gathering and 14th AIBD General Conference and Associated Meetings in Chiang Mai.

Maldives Elected as New EXBO Chairman

Editor — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 05:23:37 +0000