Australia media regulator names new content GM

20 January 2010

Australia’s telcom-to-media regulator, ACMA, has appointed Olya Booyar to the new post of General Manager, Content, Consumer and Citizen Division. The appointment follows a restructuring at ACMA late in 2009.

Olya says her new role heading a new division at the ACMA will be her greatest challenge to-date.

‘Although I’ve worked in media and communications for more than twenty years, I don’t think there’s ever been a time of greater change over such shortened timeframes as we’re experiencing today,’ she said. ’We’ve moved from being almost passive recipients of a limited range of services back in the 1980s, to being actively engaged as citizens and consumers in an ever-expanding range of media and communications options.

‘I hope at the ACMA I can help to better define what those changes and challenges mean for consumers and citizens and drive the ACMA’s facilitation of those very changes and challenges.’

Olya will commence with the ACMA on 1 February. She brings to the ACMA extensive experience in media and communications. Having started her career in Australia as a working journalist, she has risen through programming and executive management positions in radio and television to her most recent position as Deputy Director of the Classification Board.

Chris Chapman said ‘Olya has an excellent working knowledge of our broadcasting and online environment and its regulation, as well a significant exposure to content-related subject matter, something which is becoming ever more germane to our activities.

‘Olya’s recent senior responsibility for important national classification matters is highly relevant to the role of the ACMA in ensuring adequate community safeguards, given the reality in that role of the diversity of opinion in the Australian community and the dedication of more and more ACMA resources to its on-line responsibilities.

‘I am confident Olya will bring fresh thinking, insights and energy to the ACMA as she helps develop and shape our thinking on these and other consumer / citizen matters which lie within her division.’

France 24 available on Japan's NTT DOCOMO

20 January 2010

As of today, FRANCE 24’s English programs are available live and on VOD to the 55 million subscribers of Japanese mobile phone operator and world leader in 3G, NTT DOCOMO.

This service, the only one to offer free, unlimited access to all 3G subscribers, is available using a “QR code” that redirects to a URL providing access to FRANCE 24 live streaming as well as a range of high quality video programs on demand.

To access this service, subscribers simply photograph the code using their mobile phone.

Through this agreement, for which the technical solution was provided by French company ATOMIZ, FRANCE 24 will significantly increase its penetration rate in Asia and particularly in Japan, which boasts some 110 million mobile phone subscribers.

By developing a strategy that focuses increasingly on the mobile Internet and that targets leading operators, FRANCE 24 confirms its breakthrough into the international mobile services market.

Philippe Rouxel, FRANCE 24’s Vice-President Worldwide Distribution comments: “The launch of FRANCE 24 on DOCOMO’s 3G package confirms the channel’s success in the mobile services market, which is growing strongly worldwide and especially in Asia. FRANCE 24 is a pioneer in mobile applications, particularly for the iPhone and all other smartphones, and is firmly positioning itself as the only international news channel available free of charge, live and on catch-up to everyone, everywhere, on every screen.”

Radio Netherlands Worldwide enters into new partnership with All India Radio

20 January 2010

Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW) has entered into a new partnership with the national radio station of India: All India Radio (AIR). Both organisations will work together in the co production called Earth Beat India. The programme will be broadcasted nationally by AIR in English and Hindi every two weeks.

The Earth Beat team sees monitoring the earth’s heartbeat as our task. They look at our footprint on this world and run stories of the people trying to make that footprint lighter.
Earth Beat India is looking at what we create, develop, conserve and destroy; meeting and challenging the people who are making these changes. It is about questioning the way we live now and exploring the issues that will affect our common future.

RNW offers international stories with new opinions, green gadgets and greenwash while AIR brings the Indian perspective. This co production seeks to bridge the approach of developed and developing countries on environmental issues. The presentation is in hands of Chhavi Sachdev and Poonam Girdhani.

RNW Director General, Jan Hoek, said: “As an international broadcaster we make daily productions in 10 languages and we work together worldwide with more than 3.000 partner radio stations. With this new cooperation we embrace our 11th language Hindi and a major party in India.

RNW works together in India with amongst others Private FM, IGNOU University Radio, various websites, Cable TV service and now with State broadcasters.

The CEO of Prasar Bharati, B.S. Lalli, quotes: “I am happy that All India Radio and Radio Netherlands Worldwide have joined hands in co-producing and broadcasting a series of radio programmes called ‘Earth Beat’ on their networks. The issues pertaining to environment and sustainability of growth are globally relevant. I hope, these programmes will assist in promoting proper awareness and interest of our audiences. I am also hopeful that the two organizations will be able to expand the areas of mutual cooperation and assistance.”

AIR will broadcast the English episodes of Earth Beat India from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangluru, Panaji, Shillong and the National Channel of AIR, while the Hindi versions of Earth Beat India will be broadcast from Delhi, Lucknow, Patna, Bhopal, Jaipur, Shimla, Ranchi, Raipur, Rohtak, Portblair and Itanagar at the respective radio stations.