From Trinidad Express Newspapers

The 44th Annual General Assembly of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union takes place in Guyana on August 19 to 23.

Scores of broadcast executives, industry partners and media specialists are expected to meet for five days at the Government Conference Centre, to deliberate on matters of digital transition, the business of broadcasting, public service broadcasting, new and traditional media and other relevant topics influencing the broadcasting environment.

The conference will also see a number of additional features. There will be a number of suppliers who will be exhibiting, and a special screening session, where newly produced content will be on screen for the consumption of the broadcasters.

The conference is expected to be opened by the President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar on Monday at 9 a.m.

Secretary General Patrick Cozier has said the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) was pleased to partner with the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association, in hosting a two-day workshop entitled “The Business of Broadcasting in a Digital Age”. This should set the tone for an effective business evaluation of broadcasting in the future.

He said that at the centre of today’s communications world is the issue of ICT and how legacy media can effectively utilise the ICT capacities to expand distribution, access and value added services to the consumers.

President Shida Bolai indicated that the CBU will also be looking at its focus and role going forward in a new digital media age.

She also confirmed that the Annual General Assembly is expected to be one of the CBU’s biggest and most interesting given the particular context of today’s media world. She further revealed that there are plans to experience some of the culture and scenic beauty of Guyana which will also be showcased in a conference video to be produced in the aftermath of the meetings.

The region’s premier media recognition event, the Caribbean Broadcasting Awards, will take place at the Princess Hotel and Casino on the Thursday night and the prime minister of Guyana has been invited to present these Awards.

The local host member, the National Communications Network Inc of Guyana, has assembled a local organising committee, to arrange all facets of the Conference, with support from the Government of Guyana.

The Caribbean Broadcasting Union was formed in 1970, and enjoys membership from all across the Caribbean in radio and television.  It is a NGO registered and headquartered in Barbados.

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