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Week ending December 9, 2006

The EBU encourages the European Parliament to widen the scope of the Directive – December 7, 2006

from Jacques Briquemont/EBU

In its Plenary Session on Wednesday 13 December, the European Parliament will adopt its opinion on the proposed new Audiovisual Media Services Directive.

The EBU encourages the Parliament to support the extension of the scope of the Television Without Frontiers Directive to make it an instrument which caters for current and future developments in audiovisual media services.

This approach takes account of the new environment where audiovisual services are increasingly delivered in many different ways, for example over broadband TV, the Internet or mobile platforms. The members of the European Broadcasting Union already offer services on different platforms.

Jean Réveillon, EBU Secretary-General, said: "Mrs Hieronymi, rapporteur on this opinion, has already succeeded in finding a consensus during the vote of the Culture Commission. I hope that the Parliament, following the path taken by the Culture Commission, will be able to further reinforce ability of this Directive to take into account future evolution of the audiovisual sector".

EBU applauds UN Action on Journalist Safety – December 7, 2006

from David Lewis/EBU

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) today warmly welcomed the tabling of a resolution on journalist safety before the United Nations Security Council.

"We are delighted that the UN is recognizing the importance of journalists' safety," said Jean Réveillon, Secretary General of the EBU, the professional association of Europe's public service broadcasters.

"The protection of journalists in conflict zones is crucial to ensuring freedom of expression and opinion. The media can give a voice and visibility to peoples suffering in conflict zones. The resolution will help ensure full and balanced reporting".

The EBU – operator of Eurovision, the world's largest provider of international transmission and production services for live news events – has campaigned for more than two years with INSI and the International Federation of Journalists for a Security Council resolution on journalist safety.

It also runs a journalist safety course, Hostile Environment and Safety Training, for its Members. The course aims to help journalists operate securely in a conflict area.

The draft resolution, tabled at UN Headquarters on 5 December 2006 by France and Greece and backed by Britain, Slovakia and Denmark, urges states to do their utmost to prevent crimes against journalists and to investigate all crimes committed against media professionals. The resolution may be put to a vote this week.

Increasing numbers of journalists and media staff are being killed in pursuit of their profession – the International News Safety Institute (INSI) says the total so far this year is running at a record 144 – and very few cases of murder are ever pursued.

At the World Electronic Media Forum in November 2005, organized by EBU and its sister organizations alongside the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis, the EBU President presented the text of a draft resolution to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Mr Annan, who leaves office at the end of this month, pledged to press governments to uphold their responsibility to create conditions in which journalists can do their job safely, and to bring to justice those who commit crimes against them.

BBC to teach English by radio in Saudi Arabia – December 6, 2006

from Christine George/BBC WS

BBC Learning English, a division of the international radio and online broadcaster BBC World Service, has signed a deal with Radio Riyadh to provide tailored bi-lingual programmes for learners of English across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Minister of Information, Iyad al Madani, played a crucial role in the advisory stages of the deal and the teaching programmes are now broadcast for the first time on FM on the European Service of Radio Riyadh in Arabic and English and can be heard in key cities across the country.

The programmes are designed specifically for young people and feature bilingual presenters. The lessons teach listening and comprehension and explain points of the English language through topical and human interest stories. UK lifestyle and culture is also included.

Andrew Thompson, Head BBC Learning English said: “We are very excited by this opportunity to reach audiences on FM for the first time in Saudi Arabia. I am also confident that this new partnership with Radio Riyadh is just the beginning of future collaborations.”

Khalid Al Kulaib, Director of the European Service of Radio Riyadh added: “We are delighted with this new arrangement with the BBC. People in Saudi Arabia want to learn English to get ahead on the job market, improve their professional development and communicate more widely at an international level and these tailored new programmes can help them to do that.”

BBC Learning English teaching programmes are available on Radio Riyadh twice a week on 97.7FM in Riyadh, 96.2FM in Jeddah, 95.2FM in Kharj, 103.06FM in Dammam and 106.9FM in Taif. Teaching programmes also broadcast on MW in Riyadh, Jeddah and Damman between 08.00 and 11.00 am local time.