25 May 2016
Azerbaijan’s Supreme Court has ordered that RFE/RL journalist Khadija Ismayilova be released from custody after reducing her prison term from 7 1/2 years in custody to a suspended term of 3 1/2 years.
The court made the decision on May 25 after hearing an appeal by the journalist.
“This is a great day for Khadija, and for all journalists and for free speech everywhere,” RFE/RL Editor in Chief Nenad Pejic said. “We are overjoyed for Khadija and her family and can’t wait for her to get back to work.”
The Baku court’s decision is “truly great news,” U.S. Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Rick Stengel said on Twitter.
“This is the right decision by the court in Baku,” said Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the Association for International Broadcasting. “The AIB has followed this story constantly and has campaigned for Khadija’s release and for the trumped up charges against her to be dropped. We look forward to seeing Khadija reunited with her family and friends.”
The court reversed Ismayilova’s convictions on charges of misappropriation of property and abuse of position, but upheld her convictions for illegal entrepreneurship and tax evasion.
Ismayilova was not in court at the time. Her lawyer, Fariz Namazly, told AFP that “we expect her to leave prison later in the evening.”
Ismayilova was detained in December 2014 and sentenced in September 2015. Western governments and international press-freedom groups have called for her release.
21 April 2016
The AIB has published the April edition of its industry briefings covering programming, distribution, people and more. You can read the full briefing here.
11 February 2016
Radio, the oldest electronic mass medium, is in good health and well positioned for the future. That’s the message from the Association for International Broadcasting as World Radio Day 2016 is marked internationally.
“Radio generates revenues of well over US$25m every year,” comments Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB). “Radio is a major a generator of economic growth and employment – both in front of and behind the microphone. Every day, it touches the lives of billions of people, providing news, information, entertainment and education. At the AIB we’re delighted to join with our Members to celebrate the continued relevance and importance of radio on 13 February, the day designated by UNESCO as World Radio Day.”
The AIB is publishing a special souvenir book to demonstrate the value of radio internationally. ‘The Business of Radio’ provides insight into the radio industry and profiles Members of the AIB who operate radio networks and the service providers that keep radio on the air around the world.
‘The Business of Radio’ is being sent to opinion-leaders including parliamentarians and media regulators around the world to remind them of the key role that radio continues to play, even in the digital age of mobile apps and social media.
“The strength of radio is its ability to connect people in a way that other media cannot,” continues Spanswick. “At the AIB, we are delighted to see that our radio Members are reacting positively to the changes in media consumption habits. For example, they make sure that their programmes are available via multiple platforms, increasing their reach as they do. The AIB is pleased to be accompanying them on their journey into radio’s bright future.” or as a downloadable PDF at
‘The Business of Radio’ includes articles contributed by a number of the AIB’s Members, including the BBC, Broadcasting Board of Governors, RNW Media, Radio Taiwan International and DW. It is available in digital page-turning format at http://aib.org.uk/Resources/BizofRadio.html or as a downloadable PDF here.
9 February 2016
The World Teleport Association (WTA) today announced that Pierre-Jean Beylier, CEO of SpeedCast, has been named as its 2016 Teleport Executive of the Year. Mr. Beylier will be honored during WTA’s Teleport Awards for Excellence luncheon on March 8 during SATELLITE 2016. The Teleport Executive of the Year award is presented to an individual for demonstrated entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation in the development or operation of a teleport-based business.
Under the leadership of Pierre-Jean Beylier, known as PJ, SpeedCast executed five acquisitions in 2015, which doubled the company’s revenue, while achieving 99% retention of the staff in the acquired companies. This remarkable performance stems from corporate values summed up in the acronym “CAST” – Customer-focused, Agile and responsive, Success through people and Team spirit. The work of integration these acquisitions is called Project Bordeaux, whose goal is to turn six companies into one streamlined and efficient organization. Project Bordeaux stresses communication: giving all team members visibility into what the organization is doing, what it has achieved and what is coming next. The result has been increasing cross-team collaboration leading to a higher “win” ratio and faster project delivery.
PJ also leads the company’s engagement with humanitarian and charitable organizations. The company has contributed equipment and technical support under the NetHope initiative for recovery from Huricane Haiyan. SpeedCast is a corporate supporter of charitable events including Australia’s Big Red Ride, which raises money for muscular dystrophy research, World Championship Sailing in Japan, and other events. With its focus on nonprofit organizations, SpeedCast is also a major supplier to such NGOs as UNHCR, UHHDOC and Save the Children International. From his base in Hong Kong, PJ has built a company with global reach across the mobile, maritime, energy, government, mining and NGO markets.
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“A healthy technology sector offers opportunities to small, entrepreneurial companies as well as to midsize and large firms with the potential to acquire them,” said executive director Robert Bell. “The teleport industry is just such a sector and executives like PJ Beylier not only build on the success of the companies they acquire but increase the potential of the industry for growth.”
During the 2016 Teleport Awards for Excellence luncheon ceremony, hosted by Crystal, WTA will also honor its Independent Teleport of the Year and Teleport Technology of the Year.
(Source: WTA press release)
2 February 2016
ARABSAT is organizing its 8th Telecom Forum in Cyprus during February 10 -11, 2016 to strengthen its professional and operational association with its customer base. This event will be addressed by Mr. Marios Demetriades, the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works of Cyprus and will provide a platform for ARABSAT customers, technology and service providers to share their views on latest technological trends.
Eng. Mueid Al-Zahrani, CTO, said that the Forum presents a unique opportunity as ARABSAT will be presenting its future fleet and newly launched satellite, BADR-7, that contains Ku-Band, Ka/Ku Strap and Ka- payload providing coverage over Middle East, North Africa, North West Africa, Central Asia and South Africa respectively. ARABSAT is also taking advantage of the Cyprus venue and intends to show Hellas-Sat teleport facilities to its customers to capitalize on future business opportunities.
ARABSAT intends to host a live Demo at the show using Traveltronic All-in-one Systems with Newtec Dialog Hub using ARABSAT-5A Appendix Ku-Band Space Segment. Both Traveltronic All-in-One System and Newtec Dialog Hub are the latest products capable of integrating and complementing cellular, terrestrial and Satcom platforms. This exercise is to encourage the Satcom industry to use Appendix Ku-Band for their VSAT, Broadband and Broadcast Networks as this band is more immune to radio frequency interference.
10 December 2015
International news channel RT 
marked its tenth anniversary with a major conference in Moscow on 10 December. The theme of the one-day event – attended by a range of international delegates from the world of media and politics as well as delegates from across Russia – was “Information, messages, politics: the shape-shifting powers of today’s world”. Guest speakers from the worlds of news, politics and security are taking part in lively discussions.
Speaking in a panel on security and surveillance on a link from London, Julian Assange provided thoughtful analysis of the state’s need for surveillance of the public.
RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan spoke about the role of the channel in the global media environment, highlighting the channel’s 3 billion views on YouTube.
Arnab Goswami, well-known presenter on India’s Times Now, talked of the “hegemony of Western news” and urged India to join the increasing number of global news channels.
In the evening, a gala reception attended by Vladimir Putin and Mikhail Gorbachev, along with many other Russian politicians and guests from national and international TV and radio channels, was held to round-off the day’s celebrations.
