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Africa’s Digital Media Future – benefits for social and economic growth
London, 09 May 2014
The Africa Digital Media Future conference (#AfricaDMF), to be held in London on 15 May 2014, is drawing together DGs and CEOs from major broadcasters across Africa, including Nigeria, Ethiopia, Swaziland and South Africa. The event, organised by the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) in partnership with Channels TV from Nigeria, will address practical steps to ensure that Africa can harness the extensive potential of digital media developments for social and economic growth across the continent.
It will also launch an innovative free-to-view TV platform for Africa and ambitious plans for a new pan-African news channel.
Among those leading the conversations at the conference are Suvi Linden, Commissioner of the United Nations Broadband Commission for Digital Development, and January Makamba, Deputy Minister of Communications, Tanzania.
‘Digital migration represents a major opportunity for Africa to provide a richer, more informative and more local range of broadcasting to serve the needs of the continent ‘ said Simon Spanswick, CEO of the AIB. ‘But it is vital that it is implemented so that information is accessible and affordable to all. Bringing together senior media figures from across Africa provides a powerful platform for sharing insights and co-operating in delivering relevant solutions to each country’
‘Africa’s talent is creating exciting innovation in countries across the continent and digital media is a vital tool to harness this talent and help it build the future of Africa.’ said John Momoh, chairman and CEO of Channels TV. ‘We have the opportunity to work together to provide national and international media that helps to strengthen our social structures and build strong economic growth.’
The invitation-only conference will include sessions on Africa’s digital dividend, creative transformation and digital migration.
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For more information and to request press accreditation, contact Roger Stone at the AIB in the United Kingdom on +44 (0) 20 7993 2557, e-mail roger.stone@aib.org.uk.
About Channels TV
Channels TV has operated since 1993 as an independent television station broadcasting in Nigeria and now has an audience of over 20 million. Its mission is: to produce and broadcast television programmes of quality and integrity that recognize and challenge, the intelligence and curiosity of our viewers; to provide community oriented programmes that will enrich local and international viewers; to give an alternative medium of communication to the government-controlled media in Nigeria; and to perform the role of a true watch-dog of the government and its policies, and hold public officers accountable to the people. It has been named “Best Television Station of the Year” by the Nigerian Media Merit Award Trust 8 times in the last 13 years.
For more information, visit www.channelstv.com
About AIB
Established in 1993, the Association for International Broadcasting | AIB is a non-profit, non-government, industry association founded in 1993 to represent, promote and assist its members. It currently has a membership of over 50 companies in around 30 countries, including major broadcasters serving audiences of hundreds of millions of people each week.
With a reach of over 26,000 communicators and media professionals, AIB is a unique centre of information about international broadcasting, covering TV, radio, online and mobile. AIB researches regular market intelligence briefings for its members and provides client-specific consultancy and project support. Members receive an extensive package of services throughout the year. AIB publishes the comprehensive AIB Global Broadcasting Sourcebook and the international media magazine, The Channel. AIB hosts the annual AIB International Media Excellence Awards – the “AIBs”. For more information, visit www.aib.org.uk and theaibs.tv or call +44 (0) 20 7993 2557
AIB | PO Box 141 | Cranbrook | TN17 9AJ | United Kingdom
T +44 20 7993 2557 F +44 20 7993 8043
www.aib.org.uk