The Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), a prestigious regional inter-governmental organization, has recently had India’s Presidency extended for one more year. This decision was unanimously taken at the two-day General Conference of the Institute that took place in New Delhi, further solidifying the institute’s commitment to electronic media development.
Understanding the AIBD
Established in 1977 under United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the AIBD has been serving the countries of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) in fostering electronic media development. The secretariat of AIBD is situated in Kuala Lumpur and is hosted by the Malaysian Government.
The objective of the AIBD is to create a dynamic and unified electronic media environment across the Asia-Pacific region. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Educational, Scientific Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) are founding organizations of AIBD. Broadcasters from 26 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, inclusive of India, are full members of the organization.
The 47th AIBD Annual Gathering
Recent events saw the conduction of the 47th AIBD Annual Gathering and 20th General Conference in New Delhi, where discussions, presentations, and idea exchange sessions were centered around “Building a Stronger Future of Broadcasting in the post-pandemic era”. The participants included member countries and broadcasters who pledged their commitment towards a sustainable broadcasting environment. A five-year cooperative action and exchange programme was agreed upon during this event.
Role of AIBD During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Demonstrating significant influence throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the AIBD successfully maintained connectivity among member countries through digital platforms. It facilitated an ongoing dialogue regarding the media’s role in mitigating the pandemic’s impacts and enabled members to share information on latest medical developments, stories of Covid warriors, and strategies for countering fake news.
Even while several regions were under lockdown, the AIBD continued its training and capacity building programmes. In 2021 alone, 34 such programmes were conducted, focusing on traditional and emerging issues like climate change, green technologies, sustainable development, faster reporting, programming for children, etc.
Necessity of Cybersecurity Training in Broadcasting
With a surge in internet usage in broadcasting, training journalists in cybersecurity journalism has become vital. AIBD is at the forefront in incorporating this into its training programmes, highlighting the significance of secure online operations in the media industry.
Throughout the pandemic, the media played a crucial role in uniting the world during a challenging period and reinforcing the spirit of one global family. The important work by organizations like AIBD in facilitating necessary training, collaboration, and knowledge sharing highlights the significant role media can play in global crises. These efforts are key in ensuring that media continues to evolve to better serve society in a rapidly changing world. The role of entities like AIBD, especially in times of global crises, is invaluable in promoting unity and combating misinformation.