From Trinidad Express Newspapers

CBU president on digital switch over:

Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) president Shida Bolai has emphasised the need for awareness on the part of the region’s policy makers as the Caribbean enters the era of digital switch over.

Bolai who is also CEO of Caribbean Communications Network (CCN) was speaking yesterday at the CBU’s 44th Annual General Assembly in Georgetown, Guyana.

Bolai called on the CBU to develop a research agenda and explore the scope for funding joint studies of the Caribbean broadcast landscape as part of its routine work.

“It would not be right if we did not put squarely on the table the need for a sense of acute awareness being required by policy makers as we enter the era of digital switch over. In the next decade a change that is more gigantic than when TV changed from Black and White to Colour will take place in our region. As a union we are concerned that policy makers and regulators recognise that the pace and structure of digital — switch over must bear in mind the economic realities and the absorptive capacity of our consumers and our stations to fund this massive change,” Bolai said.

Bolai pointed out that the Caribbean was now at a stage where it was faced with Digital Switch Over (DSC). But while the developed world is moving towards a 2015 switch-over timetable, the Caribbean is behind.

“Some Caribbean countries are well engaged while others are only now addressing the DSO issue. Over the past two years the CBU has committed resources to keeping this topic at the forefront of our agenda. Over the next couple of days we will engage, together with the CBA, in a two-day executive workshop on the opportunities arising from Digitization,” Bolai said.

She said, “It is now imperative that:

a) Broadcasters agree on a common digital standard.

b) National selection of a standard be made with regulators in partnership with broadcasters.

c) The implications for regulation, broadcasters and consumers be fully understood, addressed and resolved before switch over is effected.

d) A viable DSO time-table be established and implemented.”

Bolai also spoke of the CBU’s “continued commitment to encouraging the production and broadcasting of more local and regional content.” She said, “Over the past year, we launched a web portal that allows producers to post their content or sales for the attention of users and distributors. We also finalized an agreement with ”Caribbean Tales” for the broadcast of 26 Caribbean movies, with a repeat over the period of a year, at very nominal cost to broadcasters. This will not only provide much needed exposure for movie and video producers, but will offer regional audiences the opportunity to see, appreciate and support the work of our creative people.”

Bolai pointed out that since the birth of the CBU in 1970, technology had been one of the most significant changes and developments to have taken place, despite the fact of many of the challenges remaining the same. But she added, one of the greatest challenges in the industry was to “stay relevant, stay ahead.”

She said, “Fortunately for us, we have been blessed with a succession of astute and insightful leaders of the CBU who have kept us relevant and on the right track. Forty-three years later, we are still here, as strong, as relevant and as needed as ever. In the context of galloping technological and industry changes, our challenge now is to turn the next corner, climb a few steps and take the CBU to the next level.”

She said this meant several things:

“A review of our membership to ensure that whatever changes are occurring throughout the industry, the CBU remains the unchallengeable authority as the true and valid representative of the industry. We must not allow the CBU to become, in any way, maginalised by the emergence of new formations outside our fold. We must be inclusive and willing to embrace 21st century expressions of broadcasting.

“In this regard, I recommend and hope you will endorse a comprehensive review of our current membership categories to consider the inclusion of:

a Newspapers which also operate audio visual media for possible Full Membership

a General Newspapers and Magazines for possible Associate Membership

a Journalistic Websites – also for possible Associate Membership

a Independent Programme Provider Channels which operate local channels but do not hold broadcast licenses for possible Associate Membership

a Government Information Services

a Independent Producers as a special category of Associates

a Regulatory Authorities

To accomplish any of these changes will need major changes to our legal and regulatory structures, which I recommend to members that you empower the next Board of the Union to do.”

Bolai also paid tribute to the legendary Victor Fernandes who has retired as President of the CBU.

She said, “For a combined total of 18 years, Vic has led this Union with distinction, serving in two incarnations, first from 1991-1999 and then from 2003-2013. The value of Vic’s leadership, commitment and contribution are beyond measure and on behalf of the entire CBU family, past and present and those to come, we say the sincerest  ‘Thank you’ to him. You have set a high bar for the rest of us to aspire towards.”

For more on this story go to:

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/We-need-to-be-aware-220285951.html

Related story:

See iNews Cayman story published August 19 2013 “Caribbean broadcast execs for five-day meeting in Guyana” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/2013/08/caribbean-broadcast-execs-for-five-day-meeting-in-guyana/