ASIA

In its 3rd joint workshop with the Indonesian public broadcaster, RRI, top DRM experts will explain how the DRM standard supports and provides a fully integrated disaster and early warning service called Emergency Warning Functionality (EWF), thus saving lives.The workshop “DRM Emergency Warning Functionality – EWF for Indonesia” will be held on Thursday, August 1.During the workshop speakers will explain how the already demonstrated and ready to use DRM-EWF can automatically wake-up DRM receivers and inform the general public (and relevant authorities) in Indonesia and elsewhere about the impending disaster.

The Indonesian and DRM experts will also detail use cases of EWF (including in Indonesia), how DRM receivers can present visual and audio alerts and introduce the stages that the authorities and the broadcasters need to go through for the successful adoption and integration of DRM-EWF into the national alert infrastructure. The speakers will explain how digital DRM receiving platforms in the house, on mobiles, in cars and outdoors can alert the maximum number of people in the affected areas as promptly as possible, thus saving lives.Speakers will include RRI specialists, the representative of the Indonesian disaster agency, DRM receiver manufacturers and technical experts. […]

Content from BPRWhether we like it or not, radio commercials are the raison d’être of the radio business, for those radio stations funded by the selling of airtime. Despite this inconvenient fact there is often a chasm dividing the programming department from the sales department within a commercial/private radio station. Programming often falls into the paradigm of seeing themselves as the shining light of entertainment while sales is their nemesis. Reciprocally sales often see themselves as the unappreciated benefactors of the radio station without which there would be no jobs and toys for the programming team.Both paradigms are unproductive, particularly in the 21st century. In an ideal world, programming and sales should work hand in hand finding solutions rather than friction, understanding the common ground and looking for every opportunity to create a win-win.

The common ground that binds everyone together inside a radio station is the listener. How well a radio station engages with the listener determines both the size of listening audience and how effective the radio commercials are. The task of achieving satisfied listeners and successful outcomes for clients is inextricably linked because both have to be achieved in the same 60 minutes each hour of the day.While we may departmentalise each hour of program into what we think is the optimal order of content delivering the optimal listening experience usually commencing at the top of the hour, people do not necessarily listen to radio that way. People are tuning in at various times throughout the hour and the experience can be very different depending on when that tune in event occurs.It is best to think of the hour in terms of ratio of content rather than some vertical order of content that listeners are going to conveniently listen to.The reality is that commercials often represent 20% or more of what a listener will experience while listening during the hour. They are an integral part of what a listener encounters and while there is a paradigm that listeners “hate” or “avoid” radio commercials this is in fact an erroneous perspective.What listeners actually do is manage their exposure to radio commercials (as people do when consuming all forms of commercial media).Let us unpack that a little more:Radio listeners are not morons. When people tune into a commercial/private station they do so knowing they will hear commercials. Radio listeners also hear, absorb, and react to radio commercial messaging that targets their interests, needs, problems and desires which is why radio advertising works so well.The problem is not radio commercials that speak to the listeners’ interests or needs, it is the commercials that do not. The challenge is carrying the listener through the commercials that are of no interest to them, so they are still listening to your radio station at the end of the commercial break.Another critical issue to take on board is that a radio commercial of no interest to the listener is the same as a station promo of no interest to the listener, or a contest of no interest to the listener. It is not just commercials that we have to be concerned about, it is everything that interrupts or delays the principal reason people listen to your radio station. Radio commercials are nowhere near the sole cause of listeners tuning out, however for the purposes of this article we will stay focused on commercial content.The primary issue at stake when it comes to radio commercials and their effect on the listening experience is the “Shit to Fun” ratio (STF).  It is critical for programming and sales to understand this as it goes a long way towards bringing both areas of a radio station into alignment and enhancing the listener’s experience and their level of engagement with the station.In the next installment we will explore what the STF ratio is and how to best manage it.By Wayne Clouten, BPR […]

Commercial Radio Malaysia has re-elected Media Prima Audio Chief Executive Officer Nazri Noran as President.The announcement was made at its 27th Annual General Meeting recently. Nazri was appointed as CRM President in July last year.The meeting also appointed c Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Faris Amir as Vice President, Rizal Sahimy, General Manager, Suara Johor Sdn Bhd as Honorary Secretary and Maslina Alias, News Manager, Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia as Honorary Treasurer.

Nazri said he was honoured to be re-elected as president and would focus on enhancing the relatability and relevance of radio despite the challenging times for traditional media.“Together, we will innovate and engage our audiences, ensuring radio remains a vital part of the media landscape,” said Nazri.Vice President Faris Amir said: “Collectively, we’ll strive to continue on driving innovation and growth, towards enriching the broadcasting landscape in Malaysia.”Photo: CRM […]

Al Arabiya Network, the Arab world’s leading source of news, announced the launch of its brand-new podcast hub, Mazeej.Featuring a variety of diverse content and programming tailored to the wide-ranging interests of a global Arab audience, Mazeej hosts top topics spanning from business and politics to arts and culture, health and wellness, sport, and more.Mazeej is tailored to listeners of all adult age ranges, offering a new and distinctive style of podcast that’s far from the usual traditional approach.

Lending their talents to Mazeej is Al Arabiya Network’s cohort of prominent journalists and presenters, including Nicole Tannoury, Layal Alekhtiar, Islam AlNajjar, and Hanan Al Masri. These established media personalities bring to life a series of contemporary issues and stories affecting Arab listeners from the four corners of the earth.MAZEEJ HUB HIGHLIGHTS“Masha’er” with Dr. Osama Al-JamaaUsing storytelling grounded in documented psychological science, “Masha’er” explores the fascinating intricacies of the human psyche.“Jareema” with Mohammed AlshaibaniThe crime analyst delves into the complex criminal cases of the past that have left investigators puzzled. “Jareema” expertly narrates these cases while scientifically analysing the behaviours of these criminal masterminds.“Umm Al Qossas” with Amro ZakiFeaturing interviews with inspiring figures from Egyptian society who share their experiences, talents, and expertise, “Umm Al Qasas” offers listeners unique insights into both their personal and professional journeys.“Yeman” with Ahad YaseenThis series captures the testimonies of Yemenis, chronicling their sorrows, joys, pains, and hopes, from Yemen to the world.“Khalf Al Jidar” with Hanan Al MasriDelving into inspiring stories from behind the separation wall, “Khalf Al Jidar” captures the reality of the evolving Palestinian experience through insightful interviews and testimonies.“Wa Ma’a Ba’ad” with Layal AlekhtiarJoin experts, specialists, analysts, and journalists as they examine the implications of the world’s current news stories.“Sasat” with Nicole TannouryAn engaging current and historical events series featuring candid discussions with prominent politicians and experts, documenting significant political events.“Heewar Teejari” with Islam AlNajjarShowcasing interviews with the founders of major commercial brands, highlighting key moments in their careers, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the valuable lessons they’ve learned along the way. […]

In an effort to enhance people’s abilities to access, utilize and share reliable information in both physical and digital spaces, UNESCO has launched a podcast series “Think Critically, Click Wisely” on media and information literacy.The Podcast series consists of eight episodes and is accessible on popular streaming platforms like Spotify and Amazon Music. It aims to equip listeners with essential media and information literacy skills through engaging discussions with media experts and compelling stories from around the globe.The audience can expect to gain practical insights into navigating various topics such as disinformation, hate speech, digital skills, AI and privacy.

Through the podcast series, listeners will:

Understand the significance of Media and Information Literacy in today’s digital age.

Acquire essential skills for navigating the digital landscape.

Identify and counter misinformation and disinformation, including conspiracy theories, through fact-checking and related techniques.

Recognize hate speech and discrimination across various multimedia platforms and advocate for more diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Gain insights into the functionality of Artificial Intelligence and algorithms, as well as the ethical use and training of AI tools.

Understand both individual and institutional responsibilities in safeguarding privacy, as well as the available avenues for recourse in the event of privacy breaches.

The podcast series is a condensed version of UNESCO’s Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Think Critically, Click wisely: Media and Information Literacy in the next normal. Consisting of 20 modules, the MOOC provides comprehensive and interactive training to equip learners with the media and information literacy skills. Learners can explore a boarder range of topics such as digital authorship, entrepreneurship, health, and well-being.Available in English and Spanish, both the MOOC and podcast series are suitable for educators, students and concerned citizens alike.Listen to the podcast here. […]

As the unrest in Bangladesh continues with violent protests which saw the state broadcaster Bangladesh TV being burnt down last week, public radio Bangladesh Betar’s website is still silent.The government cracked down heavily on students who were protesting quotas reserving 30% of government jobs for veterans who fought in the 1971 independence war and their children.The internet and all forms of telecommunications were shut down last week and there was a complete information blackout.

While the Bangladesh Betar building was safe, the internet shutdown took down their stream and it continues to be offline at the time of the publishing of this story.A staff member told radioinfo: “There were no internet connection in the country since 8:30PM local time on Thursday. Apparently there were clashes between students and law enforcement agencies, but things spiralled out of control as vested quarters got involved and there were fire and robberies across various government offices.”“Then the country went into curfew from 12 midnight on Friday and is still ongoing. But during daytime for 4-5 hours curfew gets relaxed and people can go out.”“Our offices resumed from today. Bangladesh Television are a separate entity under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and have their own station separated from Betar. On Wednesday, some miscreants went into BTV station in Dhaka and did a lot of damage to some offices. They set fire on some places inside. Damages are still being assessed.”The country’s Information and Broadcasting Minister has also visited the site.

Meanwhile the UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has asked the government to disclose full details about last week’s crackdown amid growing accounts of horrific violence, and to ensure all law enforcement operations abide by international human rights norms and standards. He also called on the government to restore full internet access to allow all people, including journalists and media outlets, to communicate freely and in line with international law. […]