MUMBAI: Radio broadcasters, communications academics and representatives of developmental agencies will celebrate the historic milestone of radio turning 100 years old at RadioAsia2006 in Singapore. The conference organisers have chosen"100 years of Radio: The Journey Ahead" as its theme.
RadioAsia 2006 aims to provide a focal point for the exchange of ideas and concepts on the future of radio, sharing of information on successes achieved, and to conduct business and network with industry peers.
The event is held as a partner-event to BroadcastAsia2006, the region's premier International Multimedia and Entertainment Technology trade show in Asia, where industry players converge to experience and engage with the latest in content creation, management, delivery and education, states an official release. Most of the speakers and participants will be drawn from across Asia, but they expect many from the US and Europe as well.
In its second year, RadioAsia is organised by the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC), Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) in partnership with Singapore Exhibition Services (SES).
Last year's RadioAsia event received staunch support from the industry - more than 100 delegates from 28 countries turned up at the Singapore Expo, with 40 speakers touching on diverse topics ranging from community and youth radio to digital broadcasting.
"Last year's response to our call for papers was extremely encouraging, and this is an indication of the importance of having such an event in Asia", says secretary-general of the ABU, David Astley.
Some new media proponents have tried to position radio as an old, dying medium, but the industry is going from strength to strength, embracing new media like Internet broadcasting, and more recently, 'podcasting'.
"It is a pity that radio is not given more recognition. Radio is so widely accessible, and plays an important role in reaching out to communities. It is for this reason that the role of radio cannot be discounted despite the rise in popularity of other media. The annual RadioAsia2006 conference aims to address these issues and others by offering a common platform to network and exchange ideas," offers secretary-general of AMIC, Indrajit Banerjee.
Next year's event will be held from 21 - 23 June 2006, comprising of conferences and workshops. A half-day of workshops will be held on 20 June 2006, the release adds.
