BBC Radio Deputy Director on Agreement of BBC Radio and Radio Romania

Radio Romania and BBC Radio have signed a bilateral Collaboration Agreement, on 3 October, in Bucharest, at the Media 2020 Conference, with a view to developing a creative partnership and cooperation between the two media institutions.

Agreement was signed by Georgică Severin, President-Director General of the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company (Radio Romania), and Graham Ellis, Deputy Director of BBC Radio, Head of the Radio Committee of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

For Radio Romania, this agreement follows other two signed with Radio France and RAI, and is part of the strategy of cooperation of Radio Romania with the most prestigious media institutions in Europe.

Reporter: Why did you choose to sign an agreement with Radio Romania?

Graham Ellis: Because it's important. Radio Romania and Radio BBC are two major and important members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Geographically we are positioned opposite, on two sides of Europe, you on the Black Sea, we on the North Sea, but that does not mean that we cannot reach across Europe and, because we are both active members of the European Broadcasting Union, together we have chosen to conclude a bilateral agreement on the basis of which we offer mutual support, develop together and work together for the good of our audiences.

Reporter: Is Romania the first country in Europe to conclude such an agreement?

Graham Ellis: The honest answer is: I don't know. It is certain that we have recently concluded a similar agreement with CBS in Canada. I have no knowledge of other agreements with European countries, but that does not mean, you know, the BBC has a long history, we have about a hundred years, so probably there have been such agreements in the past.

Reporter: How do you appreciate this moment?

Graham Ellis: I'm excited. We held discussions for the conclusion of this agreement for a year and a half, two years. I am delighted that we have come to this endeavor. I am pleased to be here in Bucharest at the 2020 Media Conference to sign this document. I am convinced that it can only benefit the BBC and Radio Romania.

Reporter: How do you see future cooperation? I'm thinking about counterfeit news, fake news, Brexit, challenges of the new digital age.

Graham Ellis: I have met Dan Şanta from Radio Romania, Director of / International Relations /, we meet four - five times a year on the line of activity within EBU, at conferences, we constantly discuss what initiatives have taken place, we discuss the changes brought by the new technology, how radio broadcasting changes. There are still many complicated issues regarding the future of radio broadcasts, especially regarding broadcasting and the level of cooperation with other platforms. These are permanent topics for discussion. There is a lot to be done and I think there is much to discuss and this will help us.

Reporter: Do you think Brexit will affect our cooperation?

Graham Ellis: It is to be seen what will happen to Brexit, but Brexit cannot affect the relationship between BBC and Radio Romania, as it cannot affect the membership of the BBC in the European Broadcasting Union.

Reporter: You will remain a member.

Graham Ellis: Yes. We will continue to be members of the European Broadcasting Union, yes. People tend to forget that we were members of EBU even before joining the common market.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei