15 March 2004
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe announced that Miklos Haraszti has been appointed OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media for a period of three years.
Haraszti, a Hungarian writer and former dissident, was born on 2 January 1945 in Jerusalem. He studied Hungarian Language and Philosophy at Budapest University. In 1976 he was one of the founders of the Hungarian Democratic Opposition Movement. In the 1980s he edited the underground periodical Beszelo. In the early 1990s he became a member of the Hungarian Parliament. He is the author of several books, including “A Worker in a Worker’s State” (Paris, 1983) and “The Velvet Prison” (New York, 1987).
The task of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media is to observe relevant media developments in OSCE participating states and, in close coordination with the chairman-in-office, to advocate and promote full compliance with OSCE principles and commitments in respect of freedom of expression and free media. The first OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Freimut Duve of Germany, held the position from January 1998 until December 2003.
15 March 2004
Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited (AsiaSat) has appointed Ko Fai Wong, Deputy General Manager of Shortridge Limited and previously an alternate director of Asiasat, as a director of AsiaSat with effect from 11 March. Mr. Ko succeeds Li Tong Zhou.
12 March 2004
BBC World Service radio will become available across Australia on FOXTEL Digital’s new FOXTEL Air audio system from 14 March 2004.
This is the first time that BBC World Service will be available through direct to home satellite and digital cable television in Australian cities. Subscribers to FOXTEL Digital’s channel line-up will be able to hear the station in CD quality stereo sound, 24 hours a day.
Miles Palmer, Head of BBC World Service Business Development, said: “BBC World Service seeks to be available to listeners in an increasingly diverse multimedia world – and on the most convenient platform for them. We see Digital DTH platforms as a key long term provider of high quality services to widespread audiences.”
Michelle Rowland, the Australasian Representative of BBC World Service, added: “This agreement will ensure that BBC World Service radio will reach a greater number of potential listeners in Australia than ever before. It is significant because it means that we can expand further into parts of the country that have not previously been able to access the station in digital quality sound.”
The inclusion of BBC World Service on FOXTEL Digital complements the availability of BBC World television, the BBC’s commercially funded 24-hour international news and information channel, which will also be seen on the new platform.
BBC World Service is available on short wave in Australia.
FOXTEL Director of Digital Patrick Delany said: “The BBC World Service is a well-known and credible brand and we are delighted that we can now offer this channel to our FOXTEL Digital subscribers as one of the 30 digital quality audio channels on the FOXTEL AIR service.”
BBC World Service is a member of the AIB.
12 March 2004
Peter Smith, Vice President of Advanced Technology for the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), has been elected President of the North American Broadcasters Association (NABA) for a two-year term.
Mr Smith was chosen by members of the association at NABAs annual meeting in Los Angeles last week. Elected for two-year terms as Vice Presidents were Andy Setos, President of Engineering at the Fox Entertainment Group, and Leonardo Mateos Ramos, Director of High Technology Projects for Grupo Televisa.
NABA Secretary General Michael McEwen says the new executive of the associations board of directors provides NABA with a strong team of leaders who will provide us direction and leadership in pursuit of our members interests.
10 March 2004
The AIB has launched the latest edition of its Directory and Global Broadcasting Guide. This 84 page A5-format book includes the most comprehensive guide to English-language international broadcasting, with details of every radio broadcaster beaming programming to global audiences, plus details of all news and information TV channels operating in English.
The Global Broadcasting Guide also has complete contact data for all the broadcasters, together with comprehensive details of each of the AIB’s worldwide members.
The Global Broadcasting Guide is available by mail order through the AIB online book store.
Click on Book Shop on the navigation bar to the left to order.
10 March 2004
World Radio Network (WRN), the London-based international broadcaster, has been granted a licence to operate an AM station on 738 kHz in Moscow. The station will commence operation in the coming months and will carry a schedule of largely speech-based programming in Russian from international broadcasters and local producers that has not before been heard in the Moscow market.
WRN already runs a satellite and internet based radio service named “WRN Russkij” that comprises programming from many global broadcasters and which has relay agreements with local stations in other Russian cities and the CIS.
Karl Miosga, WRNs Managing Director said: ” We are delighted to have been awarded a licence to operate on 738 kHz in Moscow. WRN will offer listeners in this important market place a greater range of international and local programming”.
The official government announcement in Russian can be viewed at www.mptr.ru/fkk_konkurs/contests/id/704379.html
WRN will announce detailed plans for the stations programming and a launch date in the coming months.
WRN is a member of the AIB.
