ASIA

Registration is now open for BroadcastAsia 2024, a part of Asia Tech x Singapore – the region’s flagship tech festival.The event, to be held from May 29 to 31, is the meeting place for Asia’s broadcasters, media and entertainment professionals. It features the latest next-gen broadcast technology in the field, including CableSat, Professional Audio Technology, Com Graphics & Animation, insights on industry and technology trends, and networking opportunities with key decision-makers.It is a great opportunity broadcasters to get insights on industry and technology trends impacting Asia’s broadcast and media landscape, network and reconnect with industry peers, discuss the future of broadcast and the strategies to move forward and source for the latest next-gen broadcast technology from a marketplace of global vendors.Broadcast Solution Providers can understand the impact of the evolving media ecosystem and consolidation on their business, meet and network with key decision-makers within the industry and understand investment trends for broadcast and media in APAC.Content Creators will get insights on how VR, AR and new technology are creating new content experiences, find out the latest creative production technologies that are set to transform the broadcast industry and discuss content monetisation models that work in Asia.With 8 stages, 16 tracks, and over 400 speakers, the event will deliver cutting-edge knowledge and insights in a rapidly evolving industry.2024 Main Themes include:
Artificial Intelligence @ BroadcastAsia
Techxlr8 @ BroadcastAsia (Cybersecurity, Cloud, Data, Immersive Tech, Gaming)
Content Creation, Delivery and Engagement
Monetising Content
Startups @ BroadcastAsia
This year, will also see some exciting new events. Dive deep into artificial intelligence at The AI Summit Singapore and explore the latest in software development at the DeveloperXperience Summit.There are a variety of free as well as paid pass options designed to suit your specific interests and requirements. With options ranging from virtual sessions to all-access onsite experiences, find the pass that aligns perfectly with your aspirations.Register here. […]

A recent study conducted by ABC International Development (ABCID), in collaboration with The Asia Foundation titled State of the Media: Timor-Leste found that radio remains dominant in rural communities where TV access is limited.The provides comprehensive new insights into Timor-Leste’s media sector, outlining achievements and challenges facing the industry in Asia’s youngest democracy, 22 years after independence.ABCID is the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s media development unit. It supports partner organisations in the Indo-Pacific region to pursue quality journalism, tell engaging stories and build strong connections with their communities.The study provides valuable evidence for Timor-Leste’s media sector as it navigates a digital future and champions media freedom. State of the Media: Timor-Leste explores the landscape that resulted in the young nation being ranked 10th out of 180 countries in last year’s World Press Freedom Index.There are some 26 radio stations across the country. Two consistently broadcast nationally – RTTL and GMN’s Nacional FM – while a third, Radio Maubere, run by political party Fretilin, also broadcasts across the country but only during election campaigns. The remaining six non-community radio stations are all based in and broadcast to the capital: Radio Liberdade, Radio Metro, Radio M3, Radio STL, Radio Timor Kmanek (of the Catholic Church), and Radio Vox. All but two of the seventeen community radio stations are based outside Dili, where they remain the near-exclusive form of media specifically targeting the needs of those local audiences. Fifteen are members of theTimor-Leste Community Radio Association (ARKTL)4, 5, 6 The two non-ARKTL community stations were established with government support in early 2023, in Atauro7 and Turiscai.Economic sustainability was raised by respondents as the biggest challenge for media, with many smaller operations dependent on volunteer labour. Most broadcasters – including community radio – depend to some degree on government funding and subsidies.While the data show that TV is more frequently accessed than radio, interviews with radio broadcasters revealed that radio remains the platform of choice for audiences without TV access in rural areas.Reflections on potential benefits and/or pitfalls varied from all three community radio stations interviewed. There was a general concern about the local administration potentially appropriating the station as their official communication channel. Further to this, respondents believe that the role of community radio is still not well understood by either national or local administrators. These positions reflect different perceptions of current circumstances, with all three stations stating that their current relationships with local administrations are positive and productive.Key research findings are:
Timor-Leste’s media sector is committed to capturing ‘the voices of the people’ to inform government about community perspectives and experiences.
Television is more frequently accessed than radio across urban and rural locations. However, radio remains dominant in rural communities where TV access is limited. 21% of all respondents reported they listen to radio a few times a week.
TV is the most trusted media source among citizens.
Mis/Disinformation, or ‘hoaxes’, is seen as a significant problem.
Economic sustainability was raised by respondents as the biggest media issue.
Balanced coverage is an industry-wide challenge.
Digital literacy and cyber security will need future attention.
ABC International Development Lead Jo Elsom said: “We’re excited to work with our Timorese partners to fill this knowledge gap and contribute to a better understanding of the media sector in Timor-Leste. Media can use this new information to help shape and strengthen their futures, to address business viability and meet audience needs.”​The Asia Foundation’s Country Representative in Timor-Leste, Héctor Salazar Salame, said: “The Asia Foundation has been a long-time supporter of a free and independent media in Timor-Leste. We believe that an independent media is a critical part of Timor-Leste’s vibrant democracy, and we commend Timor-Leste for maintaining one of the ‘most free’ media environments in Southeast Asia.”​ […]

In a first for the northern Pacific region, residents of Palau can now enjoy ABC Radio Australia’s full service on 91.5FM.The service launch comes after a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in 2023 between the ABC and the Republic of Palau’s national radio broadcaster, Eco Paradise FM (EPFM). It is the first time since 2014 that ABC Radio Australia has been available as a full channel service to northern Pacific audiences.Attended by Palau’s Vice President, the Hon. Uduch Sengebau Senior, the launch event at EPFM’s Koror headquarters on Friday 3 May coincided with International Press Freedom Day.ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman said: “The Palau launch marks another important milestone in the ongoing expansion of ABC Radio Australia’s FM footprint in the Pacific and cements our collaboration with EPFM and the people of Palau.”ABC Radio Australia head Justine Kelly, who co-hosted the launch event, said: “I’m excited that audiences in Palau will now have access to the very best of Pacific news, music, sports, culture and health programming, all day, every day via the new service.”Australian Ambassador to Palau, Richelle Turner, also attended the launch event and Gorman acknowledged the Australian Embassy in Palau’s support in brokering the 2023 MOU with EPFM.Acting Director of the Palau Bureau Archives and Media, Linda Ngirameketii, who co-hosted the launch event, added: “I express my wholehearted support for today’s ABC Radio Australia launch in Palau in partnership with EPFM 87.9, Ngerel Belau AM 1584 and the Palau Division of Media & Information Services (DMIS). I am so happy to see ABC Radio Australia return to the Palau airwaves, bridging the distances for many listeners near and far. Through radio waves and the power of media, communities are united and vital information disseminated, reaching many in the Pacific region. We welcome this endeavour, knowing it will resonate far beyond the shores of Palau.”Palau’s Acting Chief of the Media Division Rondy Ronny, who MC’d the launch event, said: “Radio Australia stands as a beacon of connectivity, illuminating the vast potential of the airwaves in the Pacific Ocean. Its opening here in Palau marks not just a milestone in broadcasting, but a testament to the power of media to unite, inform and inspire. I envision this new platform as a catalyst for innovation, education, and cultural exchange, enriching the Palau communities and advancing our collective understanding of our surrounding waters.”In coming weeks and months, more countries and locations will also receive ABC Radio Australia’s service, including Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia, Kokopo in Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Kiribati, the Cook Islands, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands. […]

Radiodays Asia registration has opened at the Super Early Bird price. This is the lowest ticket price on offer, so make sure you register now to take advantage of this great price before it ends on May 8.Registration to Radiodays Asia will include the main conference PLUS access to Podcast Day Asia PLUS a whole day for training.  So if you or your colleagues would like to improve your skills, network or hear from the best in the industry, you need to be at RDA24.Radiodays Asia, the leading radio and podcasting conference in the Asia-Pacific, will be held 2-4 September in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Besides one, two and three-day conference passes, group discounts are also available. Email helpdesk@radiodaysasia for more information.The conference is a collaboration between Radiodays Europe, the world´s largest and leading conference for radio, audio and podcast, and broadcasting and podcast partners in Asia and Australia. It is supported by Radioinfo. […]

Maushumi Chakravarty has taken over as the Director General of India’s Akashvani (All India Radio) News from May 1.She is a 1991 batch Indian Information Services (IIS) officer with vast experience in various capacities under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, including its media organizations the Press Information Bureau and the Central Bureau of Communication.In her last position she was serving as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at the News Services Division of Akashvani News.In her career of over three decades, she has worked on a deputation basis in the National Human Rights Commission and as P.S. to the Cabinet Minister.Chakravarty succeeds Dr. Vasudha Gupta, who retired as Principal Director General of Akashvani News on April 30th. […]

The BBC World Service has submitted an updated complaint to its urgent appeal filed with the UN and requested urgent action.The action follows recent developments, including the publication of documents in late February 2024 by a hacking group, which appear to reveal that a number of current and former BBC News Persian journalists were convicted in absentia by a court in Tehran in February 2022 for “propaganda against the Islamic Republic”. This comes after sanctions were imposed on Iranian officials by the UK and US in January this year for threats towards Iranian journalists in London.The updated complaint was sent to five Special Procedures mandate-holders with whom it was first filed in December 2020 and updated in February 2022: the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression; the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran; the Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions; the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, its Causes and Consequences; and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.The new complaint was also addressed, for the first time, to the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism, citing “the relevance of historic and recent events” to this UN Special Rapporteur’s mandate, including the sanctioning of BBC News Persian by Iran, as well as the mass national security criminal investigation of BBC News Persian staff and the associated asset freeze.In the appeal, submitted on behalf of the BBC by counsel for BBC News Persian, Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC and Jennifer Robinson, and presented by them as “extremely urgent”, the UN experts are requested to issue:
a new communication to Iran, raising both Iran’s inadequate response to their previous communication in 2022, and the recent developments; and
a public joint statement from UN experts condemning the ongoing targeting and harassment of BBC News Persian journalists.
Liliane Landor, Director, BBC World Service (pictured), says:  “Recent developments have amplified the severe situation facing our BBC News Persian staff on a daily basis. They are being penalised for their journalism and professionalism.“As we look to World Press Freedom Day next month, we are urging UN experts to robustly condemn the Iranian authorities’ harassment and to hold the regime to account.”Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said: “Journalists must not be targeted for doing their job. Speaking truth to power and covering the news without fear or favour must be the cornerstones of journalism, but BBC News Persian and other Iranian journalists are today suffering for doing just that. We fully support this intervention from the BBC and encourage the UN to exercise its influence to bring safety and justice for Iranian journalists and their families who are targeted so heartlessly.”Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC and Jennifer Robinson, said: “Iran’s abuse of national security and counter-terrorism laws against the BBC and the convictions in absentia for BBC News Persian journalists for ‘propaganda’ against the state for their independent reporting on Iran are designed to intimidate and silence the BBC’s journalism about Iran. It must stop. We call on the UN to denounce these unlawful actions in the strongest possible terms.”These recent developments come in the context of comprehensive targeting and intimidation of BBC News Persian staff and the harassment of their families, which escalated dramatically from September 2022 in the aftermath of the mass protests and increased tension in Iran, which BBC News Persian has reported extensively on. This was the subject of the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran whose final report issued earlier in 2024 documented the continuing threats and harassment of BBC News Persian staff.The ongoing harassment is also documented in a 2024 survey of BBC News Persian staff where half of the respondents said they had received online threats or been harassed online for working for the BBC. The work of the BBC journalists continues to cause harassment of their families or friends, with over 60% of the respondents having been harassed, threatened or questioned in Iran. Nearly 70% said that they hadn’t been able to say goodbye to one or both their parents before they passed away in Iran.BBC News Persian is part of the BBC World Service. […]