Success of ABU’s Central Asia Media Summit bodes well for future

The ABU says the inaugural Central Asia Media Forum has been such a success the Union will build on its achievements in years to come.

The 2013 CAMF and associated workshops in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from the 26-28 August was organised by the ABU and hosted jointly by members The Public Broadcasting Corporation of Kyrgyz Republic (OTRK) and New Broadcasting System (NTS).

The event themed “On the Digital Wave” was aimed to provide a platform for the region’s broadcasters and other media professionals to share knowledge and expertise to improve media in the region.

Mr Otorbaev Kubat, Director General of OTRK said at the opening that it was important to share information and learn from the region’s experiences: “This forum is happening at a very good time for Kyrgyz broadcasters and we hope to learn a lot from the experiences of the experts present here.”

It was particularly for the smaller broadcasters to articulate their views and experiences and help in finding effective solutions,” said ABU organiser and Head of Studio Technology & Training Mr Ahmed Nadeem.

“The forum enabled the participants to interact, share and learn from more than 25 experts who presented on wide ranging topics including implementing digital technologies, new media applications, news gathering and reporting, new techniques in production, the role of media in addressing issues related to gender and HIV/AIDS, and steps towards achieving editorial independence,” he added.

The three-day CAMF 2013 comprised two days of pre-summit workshops follow by a full day summit that offered senior executives an opportunity to discuss issues crucial to the sustainability and development of broadcasting in the region. The workshop and summit sessions were presented in both English and Russian.

More than 150 delegates representing journalists, program professionals, senior executives, engineers, policy makers and regulatory authorities from 17 countries attended the event, which included some 25 experts and media professionals from around the world.  It was supported by ABU broadcaster members IRIB-Iran, Prasar Bharati of India, TRT-Turkey, NHK-Hong Kong, TBS Japan, KBS-Korea, ARD and partners including Sony, Newtec, UNESCO, UNDP and Internews.