Event Preview: Public Broadcasters International 2011

October 26 to 29, Singapore

Amid rapid new-media developments and continued audience fragmentation, public broadcasters from around the world will convene in Singapore next month for the 20th anniversary of the Public Broadcasters International (PBI) conference. Slated for October 26 to 29 at Resorts World Sentosa, the event’s host broadcaster this year is MediaCorp.

The key topics on the agenda this will focus on "the digital age and the role of public broadcasters in extreme situations such as earthquakes and other natural disasters," says Chang Long Jong, deputy CEO at MediaCorp. "Delegates can look forward to engaging discussions on the impact of new media and how broadcasters are responding. Broadcasters will also be sharing their experience in switching from analogue to digital and the strategies that they are implementing as they navigate the digital age."

Paula Kerger, the president and CEO of PBS, will be delivering the keynote speech. Other speakers include Christine Wilson, the executive director of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation; José Marquitos, the VP of RTP de Portugal; and representatives from the BBC, France Télévisions and NHK. Kim In-Kyu, the president and CEO of Korean Broadcasting System, will also be attending the conference.

"Events like PBI can assist us to develop and maintain good relationships with our counterparts from other countries and help us to source opportunities for collaborations with other broadcasters," Chang says on the importance of conferences like this one.

PBI will also enable MediaCorp to share with fellow pubcasters the unique challenges presented by Singapore. "Our market is markedly smaller than most, so sufficient funding for quality local productions is always a challenge. Also, we operate a diverse range of multilingual platforms, from radio and TV to online and even out-of-home digital screens."

He continues, "There are two unique and challenging traits operating in an environment like Singapore. For a very small market size, we have a diverse cultural mix. So we are programmed to always think in the four official languages. Our shows, be it news and current affairs or entertainment programs, must reflect the sensitivities and nuances of the community, not just the population-at-large. Our audience is also becoming very wired, due in no small part to the Singapore government’s push, so we are constantly evolving the way our shows are delivered. While I believe we have cultivated strengths in these areas, I believe MediaCorp has much to learn from the other broadcasters as well. Public broadcasters need to continue to study, adapt and respond to the evolving media environment under heavy commercial competition. For instance, new media will continue to shape the societies in which they are deployed, public broadcasters have to stay relevant and exploit such new initiatives while overcoming challenges, from daily operations to funding issues, amongst others."

Find out more on www.publicbroadcastersinternational.org.