15 May 2017
The ransomware attack that was unleashed on to computers in over 100 countries on Friday 12 May demonstrated just how important it is for media companies to take the issue of cyber security seriously.
Companies and organisations as diverse as Britain’s National Health Service, Germany’s Deutsche Bahn rail network (pictured left), Spanish telecommunications company Telefonica and car manufacturers including Nissan and Renault, each suffered from the consequences of this immense cyber attack. The Association for International Broadcasting’s own Cyber Security Working Group is actively collating data on any impact there has been on media companies from this attack.
On Friday evening, the AIB’s Twitter feed (right) linked to a map of incidents traced around the world produced by a UK-based IT expert going under the name of Malwaretechblog. This 22-year-old was subsequently reported to have discovered the “kill switch” for the ransomware, bringing much of the attack to a halt (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-39907049).
“The Association for International Broadcasting has been actively working on the issue of cyber security with its Members,” said Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the AIB. “Since the attacks on Sony and TV5 Monde, the AIB has been bringing its Members together to share information and intelligence and to explore how to encourage the entire media industry to work together, and with suppliers, to combat the threat of attack. We have been telling media companies that the issue of cyber security is one of their major governance challenges. It requires board level discussion and for a board member to take responsibility for the issue as this is not simply an IT issue. It goes to the heart of a company’s responsibility to protect itself and its employees, and to ensure that it can continue to operate in a worst case scenario. The AIB is there to support its Members on this crucial, mission-critical issue.”
As part of the AIB’s work on cyber security, the Association is pressing home the need to take the entire security issue seriously at the highest levels in all organisations. In April 2015, the AIB published advice to its Members in a briefing document that remains relevant today. AIB Members can request a copy from the Secretariat.
In October 2015, the AIB worked with Deloitte to deliver a high-level confidential briefing event on the issues of cyber security. The one-day conference brought together representatives of many AIB Members, as well as key players in cyber security including Britain’s GCHQ that has responsibility for the nation’s cyber security (now separated into the National Cyber Security Centre). At that event, high-level GCHQ speakers noted the need for governments to include media companies in national work on cyber security and their classification as critical national infrastructure.
Since then, the AIB’s cyber security working group has developed a work programme that aims to share information and intelligence among AIB Members while at the same time pressing suppliers to the industry to respond to broadcasters’ security needs and requirements. The chair of the working group, Denis Onuoha (CISO at UK transmission company Arqiva), has spoken at major broadcasting events including NAB to highlight the ever more urgent need for the entire media industry – broadcasters and suppliers – to respond to the constantly increasing number of threats that exist from both nation states and cyber criminals.
At the European Broadcasting Union’s International Broadcasting Assembly in Sofia on 18-19 May, the AIB will be presenting to a range of international broadcasters about the threat posed to their businesses from cyber attack. In June, the AIB will be meeting with national security agencies to develop collaborative links that benefit AIB Members in protecting their businesses against cyber attack.
“This is a piece of work that will continue to develop and grow over the coming months and years,” says Simon Spanswick. “The AIB is working hard on behalf of its Members to ensure that they can protect themselves, their brands and their reputations in a world where the threats from cyber criminals has never been more challenging. The media industry needs to stay one step ahead of those who work to wreck businesses and those who – knowingly or unknowingly – derail broadcasters from their missions to inform, educate and entertain.”
Advice from the UK National Cyber Security Centre on tackling this attack is here: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/ransomware-guidance-enterprise-administrators
3 May 2017
Newly-launched international news channel set to work with colleagues globally through industry trade association
London, 3 May 2017
The Association for International Broadcasting, the trade association for television, radio and online, is pleased to announce that TRT World has become its newest member. TRT World is also the first broadcaster in Turkey to join the Association.
TRT World launched in October 2015 as Turkey’s first English-language international television and digital news service. Operated by the country’s public broadcaster, TRT [Turkish Radio and Television Corporation], TRT World broadcasts from its main studio complex in Istanbul and from studios that the channel has established in London and Washington DC.
“We are pleased to welcome TRT World, the newest international news channel, as a Member of the Association for International Broadcasting,” said Simon Spanswick, AIB chief executive. “The AIB’s Members across the world look forward to working with TRT World, its executives and its journalists as the channel develops its global reach. As part of the AIB ‘family’, TRT World will benefit from the expertise and knowledge that the Association has developed over the past quarter century.”
“Becoming a Member of the Association for International Broadcasting is a step on our journey to be among the world’s top international news channels,” commented Ibrahim Eren, deputy director general of TRT and CEO of TRT World. “It is important for us to collaborate with colleagues from across the international media industry and to share ideas and experiences. The AIB provides the perfect platform to help us share and learn as we develop the channel. We are looking forward to working closely with the AIB and its members across the world.”
TRT World’s membership of the Association for international Broadcasting provides access to the full range of the AIB’s work. This includes regular market intelligence briefings and participation in working groups that focus on important areas including cyber security, sustainability, emerging technology and audience measurement. The AIB also supports its Members on key issues that affect their business through the Association’s international lobbying work.
The Association for International Broadcasting is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation that works for the benefit of its Members and of the wider media industry. Governance rests with an elected six-person Executive Committee that includes executives from Bloomberg, the BBC, DW, France Médias Monde, Radio Taiwan International and RT.
3 April 2017
The Association for International Broadcasting is delighted to announce that its 13th annual awards for factual programming across video, audio and online production are open for entry.
For 2017, there has been a root and branch examination of the categories with the involvement of media leaders in areas of documentary, news and specialist factual programme making. This year’s categories are:
Video
Breaking news report
Continuing news coverage
News feature
Short documentary
Science, technology and nature
Human interest
Politics and business
Arts and culture
International affairs
Sport
Children’s and youth
Presenter of the year
Audio
Continuing news coverage
News feature
Arts and culture
Investigative
Human interest
Presenter of the year
Interactive
AIB Impact Award
The inaugural sponsors of the AIBs 2017 are Celebro Media and Signiant.
Full information about how to enter is available at the dedicated AIBs website, http://theaibs.tv and http://theaibs.radio. The online entry form is available here.
The closing date for entries is 30 June 2017.
27 February 2017
The AIBs 2017, the 13th annual competition for factual television, radio and online productions, are open for sponsorship.
This increasingly important and influential contest reaches broadcasters and production companies throughout the world, with entries arriving from more than 40 countries. These are judged by a global panel of media experts and the results announced at a gala dinner in London, taking place this year on 1 November.
The AIBs offer a unique opportunity to place a company’s brand before the most influential programme makers, executives, journalists and editors throughout the world. A range of sponsorship opportunities that benefit from nine months of constant outreach and marketing work offers companies a cost-effective and highly memorable way to reach this important audience.
Full details of how brands can be closely associated with the AIBs are contained in our sponsorship brochure. This is available online in digital page-turning edition here, in PDF format here, or in print format by calling the AIB on +44 20 7993 2557.
Clare Dance and Tom Wragg will be happy to discuss the sponsorship opportunities with you.
Reach them at the AIB head office, telephone +44 20 7993 2557.
22 February 2017
The latest edition of the AIB’s media industry briefing has been published. This regular newsletter reaches a constantly growing audience of more than 27,000 media leaders in over 150 countries globally.
In this edition:
- MBC+ on Ooredoo
- Eutelsat reaches 1,000 HD channels
- NBC Universal buys into Euronews
- Radio going from strength to strength
- CNN en Espanol suspended in Venezuela
- Women leading in ABC comedy drama
- New members for the AIB
- People
Read the industry briefing here.
21 February 2017
London-based international media facilities house to benefit from AIB’s global networks and services
The Association for International Broadcasting, the trade association for television, radio and online, has welcomed London-based studio and facilities house Celebro Media as its latest Member.
“It is great to have Celebro Media on board as a Member of the Association for International Broadcasting,” said Simon Spanswick, AIB chief executive. “Celebro Media is an innovative company and we have been impressed by the innovative solutions it offers to broadcasters. We are looking forward to helping Celebro Media as it develops its services in the UK and around the world.”
“We are extremely pleased to be part of the AIB community,” commented Wesley Dodd, CEO of Celebro Media (pictured). “We are dedicated to supporting the international broadcasting industry and being involved in the AIB’s global networks will be a real benefit to my colleagues and me. Celebro Media is looking forward to sharing its expertise and its innovations with other AIB Members in the Association’s working groups. And of course, we’re happy to explore how Celebro Media can help and assist other AIB Members.”
Through its Membership of the Association for International Broadcasting, Celebro Media now has access to the full range of the AIB’s work, ranging from market intelligence briefings to participation in working groups that focus on key areas of activity such as emerging technology, cyber security, sustainability and audience measurement. The AIB also supports its Members on key issues that affect their business through its international lobbying activities.
The Association for International Broadcasting is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation that works for the benefit of its Members and of the wider media industry.
