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ftm Radio Page - June 28, 2013

International broadcasters expand in Africa, more journalists jailed
More programs and more tension

All major international broadcasters are active in Africa and on a variety of platforms. FM re-broadcasting is used most often and quite competitively. More than occasionally, local authorities find the independent nature of international broadcasting quite uncomfortable.

Authorities in Chad continue to hold Eric Topona, a correspondent for German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), for posting “subversive writings” on the web. Mr. Topona is also Secretary General of the Union of Chadian Journalists (UJT). He was arrested May 6th for “endangering the constitutional order” and has since contracted malaria in prison, said Reporters sans Frontieres Germany (RSF-DE) (June 26), with media treatment being denied.

Moussaye Avenir de la Tchiré, UJT treasurer and managing editor of newspaper Abba Garde, was arrested May 7th, charged with “inciting hatred and a popular uprising.” Mr. de la Tchiré has been denied release from jail even as Chadian law does not prescribe detention for press offenses. Chadian authorities denied visas to an RSF delegation seeking to meet with government officials and visit the jailed journalists. (See press freedom indicators for African nations here)

DW has largely shifted services to the internet platform although shortwave broadcasts to sub-Saharan Africa continue. DW programs are available through FM re-broadcasters in several African cities, though not in Chad. (See more on international broadcasting here)

BBC World Service is expanding program offerings to French-speaking Africa. On BBC Afrique the morning program BBC Matin will be live from Kinshasa, DR Congo beginning July 1st. In keeping with the times, News bulletins will be available on social media and mobile devices. (See BBC WS presser here) (JMH)

“Digital islands” offered to small broadcasters
always a software solution

A major barrier for broadcasters to digital radio uptake of the DAB variety is cost. Multiplex access is expensive, onerous for some as DAB receiver sales lag other consumer electronics like smartphones and tablets. The digital dividend has largely gone to big telecoms that operate DAB multiplexes.

Costs associated with using multiple transmission platforms have been particularly acute for small-market and community broadcasters. Big broadcasters, public and private, might moan but multiple platforms in the digital age are simply a cost of doing business. Sometimes all this can be opportunity. (See more on digital radio here)

Swiss telecom regulator Ofcom/Bakom has granted to Digris SA a concession to offer broadcasters “digital islands,” said the press release (June 25). Digris SA is offering a software technology much like a mobile app developed by OpenDigitalRadio.Org called LIMUS (layer for innovation and migration in urban areas). It’s sort of like a huge floating DAB+ multiplex. Reach out to your personal technical genius for details.

Ofcom/Bakom also added its own bit of innovation. The Digris SA concession allows it to determine which broadcasters are added to the “digital island” rather than the more cumbersome procedure through the Swiss Federal Council. Digris SA plans to have “digital islands” built in Zürich and Geneva by the end of this year and other parts of Switzerland by 2015. (JMH)

Radio ads: Yes, they can.
Starts with a song

The “Dumb Ways to Die” public service campaign for Metro Trains, created by McCann Melbourne, cleaned up at the annual Cannes ad fest. Taking Grand Prix in five categories – radio, film, integrated, direct and PR – is a record. In 2009 Brisbane agency CumminsNitro won three Grand Prix, and set the record, for the “Best Job In The World” campaign. Do Australians know something about ad creative? Ah, yes.

“Dumb Ways To Die” began its award winning life on the radio as a three-minute public service announcement – now charting on iTunes in 28 countries – then to animated video – more than 50 million YouTube views – and to posters and just about every medium offered. The radio jury, chaired by London radio agency Eardrum creative director Ralph Van Dijk, was “looking for examples that demonstrated relevance and cleverness,” said Ad Age (June 19). In addition to five Grand Prix, the campaign also won 18 Gold Lions, three Silver Lions and two Bronze Lions.

There were other radio Cannes Lions. New York agency Barton F. Graf won Gold for the Ragu pasta sauce campaign (“She needs Ragu, 'cause growing up's tough. Give her Ragu, she's been through enough.”) Ogilvy London took Gold and two Silver Lions – and nearly the Grand Prix – for the Dove soap campaign (“Real beauty isn't a trick of technology. Dove. Be your beautiful self.”). A quite racy radio ad for the television show Call Girl won best use of radio as a medium Gold for DraftFCB Auckland.

Hear all the Radio Lions winners on the official Cannes website.

Hearing the “Dumb Ways To Die” jingle/song I couldn’t help recalling the three-minute radio jingle created by LA production magician Hugh Heller for radio station WIBC in the 1970’s. “It’s a shame what happened to radio, but they can’t afford to do it any more.” (JMH)

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