RadioAsia crucial for its contribution to the industry, ABU says

ABU has congratulated its member and national radio broadcaster Voice of Vietnam (VoV) for hosting a conference which provided “a crucial contribution to the radio industry”.

The conference themed “Radio and Social Media: Where to Next?” attracted more than 400 broadcasting leaders, media experts and others in the radio industry from across the region and around the world. It was jointly organised by the ABU, the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC) and VoV.

It was officially opened by the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Mr Nguyen Tan Dung, who said radio had long been an effective means of communication but it faced increasing challenges from “digital technology and the booming social media”.

“This is an opportunity for the development of all media platforms and broadcasters yet it poses a great challenge, requiring us to be more dynamic, creative and cooperative to meet the increasing demands of society,” he said.

“I strongly believe that RadioAsia 2013, which is being held in Hanoi, will be an opportunity for Vietnam to share and learn experiences and set future orientations to improve the effectiveness and quality of the radio broadcasting industry, actively contributing to the country’s socio-economic development.

“This conference will be a useful forum for media leaders, managers, senior media practitioners, and radio broadcasters to discuss and share experiences, as well as to set future orientations with the aim of better catering for the public demand in the context of regional and global fluctuations, vigorous development of science and technology and booming social media.”

This was echoed by the President of VoV, Mr Nguyen Dang Tien, who said the broadcaster was at the forefront of developments, with a digital audio archive and currently experimenting with digital technologies like DRM, HD Radio, and DAB.

“The Vietnamese Government has, over the past few years, given timely attention and guidance to media organizations throughout the country,” he said. “With its 68 years of establishment and development and through strong determination and tireless efforts, VOV is proud to be the only national media organization in Vietnam with four media platforms – Radio, Television, Print and Online, affirming its role as one of the strongest and most reliable Media Houses in Vietnam and in the region.”

AMIC’s Secretary-General, Assoc. Prof. Martin Hadlow, said that radio still had a vital role in society. “The messages it carries are understood by all, even those who cannot read or write and radio brings life-long educational opportunities, life-saving information, culture and entertainment to individuals no matter where they are, or what they are doing”.

ABU Secretary-General Dr Javad Mottaghi said the three-day 2013 RadioAsia conference in Hanoi came at a crossroads for radio, especially for public broadcasters in the Asia-Pacific and around the world.

“The Hanoi conference will be remembered as tackling some of the most difficult problems we face today but also coming up with timely solutions for the future,” he said.