Georgetown : The 44th Annual General Assembly of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), which commenced on August 19, concluded with the re-election of Shida Bolai as President, and a new board.
The new board members include Vice President Gary Allen, Acting CEO of the National Communications Network (NCN), Michael Gordon, Pulita Olivieri from St. Vincent and the Granadines, Beulah Jonas from St. Maarten, Edwin Lightbourne from the Bahamas, a representative from STARCOM Network in Barbados and representatives from Belize and Suriname.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), Liliendaal, Bolai said that the CBU was able to accomplish a lot at this conference including a two-day digital session, the largest contingent of screeners throughout the Caribbean, and the establishment of a new board.
She said that going forward, the work of the CBU will include a comprehensive review of its membership and its bylaws (to make them more relevant in light of technological changes).
Since the opening of the conference, the members heard presentations from a number manufacturers and representatives from the American and European Standards.
The CBU is calling on policymakers in the region and regulators to engage broadcasters meaningfully with a view of developing a workable plan within a certain timeframe to aid in the successful transition from analog to digital.
Another concern was also raised with regards to West Indies Cricket Broadcasters in the region have been complaining about a trend whereby some regional cricket properties are no longer available to broadcasters to carry live. In this regard, the CBU resolved to seek an audience with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to discuss possible solutions to this issue.
Meanwhile, CBU Secretary General, Patrick Cozier said this conference has turned out to be one of the most engaging. He commended the organisers and the Government of Guyana for arranging a well planned event.
He said with the changing media landscape, broadcasters must be reminded it is more important to be accurate than first. He added that, “an informed citizenry is the gatekeeper of a progressive democracy.”
Commencement for the switch from analog to digital was June 17, 2006 and the deadline for completion is June 17, 2015 and thus far, only the United States and a few European countries have completed this process. Several Caribbean countries, including Guyana, are still to make this transition.
The CBU was formed in 1970 with a view to stimulating the flow of broadcast material among the Radio and Television systems in the Caribbean region.
The member territories and associate member territories of the CBU include Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, France, French Guyana, Germany, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, the Netherlands, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, United States and the US Virgin Islands.
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