RadioAsia Day 3: Diversity of voices & content on display

A vast variety of radio styles, technologies and content were on display when broadcasters from across the Asia-Pacific and around the world gathered in Vietnam for the last day of the region’s biggest radio content conference. 

The diversity of radio in the Asia-Pacific was highlighted on the second and third days of the conference by contributions and case studies form a range of delegates from countries including Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Korea, Indonesia, Australia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Britain and Tunisia.

As well as major discussions on cutting edge digital radio broadcasting, the conference also heard of “taxi radio” in Thailand and Commune Radio in Vietnam.

There were also words of caution too, especially when moving into the frontiers of digital development.

Jason Malaure, Chief Technology Officer for All In Media, Sydney , told delegates it was a great aim to be on every type of device, but the technical realities of so many devices and standards presented many technological problems for those who create apps.

“Streaming quality can also be very tricky in a 3G environment,” he said. “We have to get it right if we want people to listen to radio on mobile phone platforms.”

RadioAsia 2013 took place in Hanoi over three days and attracted more than 400 delegates from the industry. It was organised by the ABU and the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre, with host broadcaster Voice of Vietnam.

Built around the theme “Radio and Social Media: Where to Next?”, an official opening by the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Mr Nguyen Tan Dung, set the tone for discussions that followed about the development of radio as a critical medium of communication in the Asia-Pacific region. 

Speakers that followed all stressed the continuing importance of traditional radio – especially in underdeveloped parts of society – but warned that digital technology through program production and distribution, the Internet and mobile devices had to be part of broadcasters’ future plans. 

ABU organiser Mrs Vijay Sadhu said: “This year RadioAsia set a new milestone in terms of the quality of its programme and content, as also in terms of participation of more than 400 delegates, a record in itself.”