27 September 2010
Al Jazeera Childrens Channel (JCC) launched its new grid meeting the back-to-school season and crowning JCCs 5-year anniversary with an array of premieres that will enforce the diversity and positioning of the different slots.
JCCs grid reflects its maturing programming strategy and features many in-house productions along with international co-productions and acquisitions. These exciting new programs that include Saladin (a new 3D-animated series), a cookery show, a unique science program, a debate program, a sports magazine, and a first time quiz show will capture the hearts and minds of children and youth across the Arab world.
On September 17th, 2010, children across the Arab world watched the premiere of the long awaited 3D-animated adventure series Saladin. Saladin will take Arab children and their families on an epic full of adventure and humor. Over the past 3 years, JCC and Malaysias Multimedia Development Company (MDEC) have successfully worked together to bring to life this animated series inspired from the long history of heroism in the Arab region. The series is available in both English and Arabic and has thus generated considerable interest from the international market and content buyers from Russia, Turkey, Indonesia, China, America and several European countries.
JCC has also dedicated a slot to encourage healthy eating habits. Over the past two years, JCC has been collaborating with Fresh One, a British production company made famous by Jamie Oliver to produce a cooking show that promotes and emphasizes on the importance of a healthy and balanced diet. JCCs Al Tabaq Al Taer (Flying Saucer) is an entertaining easy to digest 26-minute series offering fresh and simple recipes and nutrition tips for children.
JCCs new grid will also mark the launch of PhysiaKawn (Discover Science), a major co-production between JCC and Japans Broadcasting Corporation NHK/NED. Beginning February 2011, PhysiaKawn will make physics visually fun through some easy to understand spectacular experiments. JCCs in-house productions include Anta Batal (Be a Champion), a weekly sports magazine, hosted by a fun sports enthusiast. Khair Al Kalam, a weekly debate show with teams debating the hottest topics affecting teens nowadays; and, Al Alam Soual a quiz show in which contestants answer general knowledge questions about different countries of the world.
JCCs Executive General Manager, Mahmoud Bouneb stated: Today, we proudly celebrate JCCs 5th anniversary and the launch of our new grid showcasing some remarkable content. Over the past years, JCC has not only matured but also learnt how to innovate on many levels; this growth has allowed us to take a leading role in the field of childrens media and in making a major impact internationally.
As a non-profit organization, our goal is not only to sell to the international market but primarily to produce and acquire quality programming suitable for Arab children, Bouneb added.
JCCs success is predominantly driven by the vision and guidance of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned. As a result of Her continuous support, JCC has become a major player and contributor in the children programming industry. We dedicate all of our award-winning quality programming and multimedia content to Her Highness and to JCCs loyal audience, Bouneb concluded.
Since its launch, JCC has developed its own corporate environment, and has evolved both its organizational structure and its technical facilities to manage two childrens channels and set up high production standards. Furthermore, JCC has enabled global partnerships in program-making for children that will help cement its presence in the 5 continents. Today, JCC operates with a professional diverse fabric of human asset representing more than 30 nationalities.
23 September 2010
The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) appointed of Carlos A. Garcia-Perez as the director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB). The OCB is the entity that supervises Radio and Television Martí’s Spanish-language broadcasts of news and information to Cuba.
“As we observe potential changes in the political and economic landscape in Cuba, it becomes even more important that Radio and TV Marti present a trusted source of objective news and information about events in Cuba, and related U.S. policies,” said BBG Chairman Walter Isaacson. “Garcia-Perez is a strong leader with a commitment to the editorial competence and professional journalism required of all BBG broadcasters.”
Garcia-Perez brings rich experience in international business and law having represented clients in the United States and several Latin American countries.
“I am honored to serve in this important position,” said Garcia-Perez. “Providing reliable news and information about Cuba, the U.S. and the world to the people of Cuba is more critical than ever.”
Carlos A. Garcia-Perez is a shareholder in the Litigation and Trial Practice Department of Goldman Antonetti & Cordova, P.S.C., one of the largest law firms in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. His practice is heavily concentrated in the areas of commercial law including litigation, distribution agreements, arbitration, and business acquisitions. Garcia-Perez also provided advice and counsel for commercial, real estate and financing transactions and disputes pertaining to trademarks, copyrights and contracts.
Garcia-Perez received his J.D. at Hofstra University School of Law, Hempstead, New York in 1988 and his B.A. in Economics and International Relations at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1985.
23 September 2010
Al Jazeera Network calls on ISAF for the immediate release of two of its cameramen arrested over the last 72 hours. Al Jazeera views this escalation as an attempt by ISAF leadership to suppress its comprehensive coverage of the Afghan war.
The latest arrest of Al Jazeera channel cameraman, Mr. Mohamed Nader, occurred in Kandahar at 4am (Afghanistan time) September 22nd. An account by his wife states that she was woken when ISAF troops raided their home during the night when they stormed the house; the troops then proceeded to arrest her husband, Mr. Nader, forcibly removing him from his bedroom, and continued to search the house, in addition to taking possession of their valuables. A press release issued by ISAF confirms that they were responsible for the arrest and terms Mr. Nader as a Taliban facilitator. Al Jazeera strongly opposes this claim and stands behind the innocence of Mr. Nader.
Just over two days ago, Mr. Rahmatullah Nekzad, a freelancer working for Al Jazeera channel and AP, was arrested in the same manner in the Ghazni province by ISAF forces. The ISAF press release alleges that Mr. Nekzad is a suspected Taliban media and propaganda facilitator, which Al Jazeera believes is an alarming and unusual classification used by ISAF to intimidate the press. Al Jazeera also strongly opposes Mr. Nekzads arrest and stands behind his innocence.
The arrests follow a recent pattern of escalation by ISAF and coalition forces to target Al Jazeera journalists in Afghanistan. Recently, Al Jazeeras offices and bureau chief Samir Allawy in Afghanistan were also threatened and contacted on many occasions for Al Jazeera to change its editorial policy. The response from Al Jazeera is that it will continue to maintain its coverage on the basis of fair and impartial journalism in line with its Code of Ethics and will not bias its coverage in favor of any party or coalition despite pressures being imposed on it.
As part of their work cameramen and crew need to have contact with all sides of those involved in a particular issue, which in this case includes ISAF forces, the Afghanistan government as well as the Taliban. These contacts should not be seen as a criminal offence but rather as a necessary component of the work that journalists undertake.
Al Jazeera calls for the immediate release of both its cameramen as it sees these arrests as a curtailment of the freedom of expression that hinders the Al Jazeera Network from undertaking its newsgathering and journalistic work. It also calls upon officials from ISAF and the Afghanistan government to provide an immediate explanation for the arrests and holds them responsible for the safety of both of Al Jazeeras cameramen.
23 September 2010
After an EU-wide RFP German public broadcaster Suedwestrundfunk (SWR) chose Cologne based company Wellen+Nöthen as general contractor for the project tapeless production in Stuttgart. S4M Solutions for Media provides its Video Production Management System (VPMS) as central Media Asset Management System for the public broadcaster.
SWRs new building in Stuttgart will provide modern production technology for TV, Radio and the Internet concentrated under one roof in a 22,000 m2 location.
In this way SWR will be able to produce different TV formats in a future proof way. Surrounded by several production areas and technical service rooms like control rooms, Video- and Audio Editing Suites, the studios are the core of the new building.
As convenient Media Asset Management (MAM) System VPMS acts as a cross-functional control unit for broadcasting processes within the infrastructure of video server, editing and graphics. A key component is VPMSs web based Media Center that provides for easy and effective central controlling. The complete system is constructed for HD, controls single as well as mass ingest of tapeless media (XDCAM HD, P2, files of all kind), integrates seamless with SWRs Newsroom System and provides powerful interfaces to the according production planning, scheduling and file transfer systems.
With VPMS SWR decided in favour of a highly scalable and cross media solution that will also be able to meet the broadcasters future requirements.
Suedwestrundfunk (SWR)
Suedwestrundfunk (SWR), the joint regional public broadcasting agency of the German Federal States of Baden-Wuerttemberg and Rheinland-Pfalz, has three main locations in Stuttgart, Baden-Baden and Mainz. SWR ist he second largest member of Germanys association of public broadcasters (ARD). SWRs broadcast region includes more than 55.600 km² with about 14.7 million inhabitants.
S4M Solutions for Media GmbH
The Cologne-based company S4M Solutions for Media, a subsidiary of Arvato systems and RTL Television, develops and distributes specialized software solutions for the broadcast and new media industry. Customers in 30 countries around the world use S4M systems for commercial airtime sales, video content management, program planning, rights licensing, ratings evaluation, or production planning. S4M also offers customers professional consulting services based on its experience and knowledge of media and information technology.
23 September 2010
President Barack Obama has appointed Richard M. Lobo as director of the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB).
“We are excited to have Dick in this important position as the Broadcasting Board of Governors begins a comprehensive review of its strategy and operations around the world. He brings outstanding qualifications to the job, as a veteran journalist and broadcast executive,” said BBG Chairman Walter Isaacson.
The IBB Director manages program placement and transmission services for the BBG, the federal agency that supervises all U.S. civilian, international broadcasting. The IBB manages a global network of transmitting sites and an extensive system of leased satellite and fiber optic circuits, along with a rapidly growing Internet delivery system. For the agency?s federal components, the IBB provides research, manages the evaluation of broadcasts and is responsible for VOA editorials, along with support services including human resources, Equal Employment Opportunity, procurement, security, administrative, and graphics.
“I am proud to serve my country in this role and through this Administration,” said Dick Lobo. “IBB plays a critical role supporting our broadcast services and I am delighted to be a part of it.”
Prior to his appointment as director of the IBB, Lobo served as chairman of the Florida Public Broadcasting Service, Inc. He was also president and chief executive officer of WEDU (PBS) Tampa/St. Petersburg/Sarasota. Lobo previously was president and general manager of WTVJ in Miami, station manager of WNBC-TV in New York, and vice president and general manager of NBC stations in Chicago and Cleveland. He served as director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting in the mid-1990s. An Emmy Award-winning journalist, Lobo has also been honored with the New York Black Citizens for a Fair Media’s Community Service Award, the Wall Street Chapter of IMAGE?s Hispanic Executive Award, and the Leadership Award of the Chicago Latino Committee on the Media. Under his direction as general manager of WTVJ, the station won the Peabody Award, the duPont Award, and the Edward R. Murrow Award for its coverage of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
A graduate of the University of Miami, Lobo has served on the board of the Florida Association of Broadcasters, was a member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Suncoast chapter, and is the recipient of its Silver Circle Award. He was recent inductee into the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame. The Sarasota Chapter of the American Jewish Committee presented Lobo and his wife with the Civic Achievement Award. Lobo is a Captain (Retired) in the U.S. Army Reserve. He is married to Caren Lobo, has three children and five grandchildren.
23 September 2010
The Associated Press and VISLINK News & Entertainment announced today the successful completion of trials of ENPS working seamlessly across VISLINK’s microwave and Advanced Gateway systems. Together they provide an integrated solution, which enables file-based workflow from the field as if connected directly to the studio LAN.
Journalists using ENPS in the field can now use bandwidth provided by VISLINK to connect directly to ENPS servers at base, submit finished stories and simultaneously send live video. VISLINK emphasises the use of microwave bandwidth. This reduces potential problems with public broadband, which can become clogged in breaking news situations.
