ABU RadioAsia Conference 2015 kicks off in Myanmar
ABU RadioAsia Conference 2015 kicked off yesterday, Thursday 28 June in Yangon, Myanmar with the participation of more than 160 high level professionals and dignitaries across Asia-Pacific and other regions.
The Union Minister for the Ministry of Information, Govt. of Myanmar, Mr U Ye Htut, opened the conference. He said, “In our country we closed the doors for many years, so when we make reforms and policy I want to learn, so I spend a lot of time listening and participating,” he said.
Among the new developments in Myanmar’s evolving media environment is the introduction of new commercial and community stations. Already six new FM stations have started in collaboration with the public broadcaster, and more are expected to open this year when the law is changed to allow private companies to own broadcasting stations.
Earlier, in his welcoming speech, ABU’s Secretary-General, Dr Javad Mottaghi told delegates that this 10th Radio Asia Conference is “a landmark event,” being in Myanmar in the tenth successful year. “Radio is in the process of transformation.”
Neil Curry and Mick Slatter from “Beyond Broadcasting” set the tone at the opening event with a workshop addressing “unlocking the creativity” of journalists and radio content creators. Focus was on Creativity and Innovation during this highly interactive session where participants exchanged views on different themes such as ‘The elements of a Creative environment’ and “Where ideas come from” and “What stops people being creative”.
The 2015 ABU Radio Song Festival will take place on Friday 29 May at a gala event in Yangon, in conjunction with the Conference.